MTX...START NOW OR AFTER HOLIDAY?

[tatlim]

i an currently on Myocrysin and about to start on Mtx also, I am going abroad on holiday in 3 weeks and i dont know if i should start the Mtx now or wait until i get home, im worried of getting side effects and it spoiling my holiday, but on the other hand it might help my mobility ...any thoughts on this one please. xx

[jo100]

I waited until I came back from my holiday as I was really worried about side effects and not being able to enjoy a few drinks. Glad I waited as im now unwell after only 3 weeks with low white cell count. Really low and fed up as had bad reaction to sulpha in march. Feeling like I will never be normal again. Sorry to moan but feeling dreadful. Enjoy your holiday before you start. Xx

[megant in reply to jo100]

Hi Jo, I was on MTX and had to come off due to low white blood cells, on and off twice now. I've got to wait until I see my rheumy on 18th June until I can be put back on "something" !!! Perhaps if your white blood cells are low you should re-think about taking MTX ??

I know it's really hard, but try not to feel too fed up. I've found a support group close to where I live, which I went to for the first time a couple of weeks ago, and that helped me enormously, talking to people in the same boat as us. Do you go to a support group??

We probably wont feel normal again, but don't let this desease beat you, make it live with you, NOT you live with it. Moan all you like, we all do at sometime or another.

Try to keep your chin up and take care

Alison

x

[tatlim]

Thanks Jo, I think i will wait, dont want to risk being ill, if im stiff or in pain i will just have to stay by the pool with my book !!

Im sorry your having a tough time recently, hope you feel better soon. x

[helixhelix]

MTX takes a while to work, so even if you started now you may not get the good effects by then anyway. But it all depends how active your RA is - if it's galloping round your body then the sooner the better. Maybe the compromise is to ask if you can start at a really low dose just to start building it up.

[Hidden]

Yes I think on balance better to leave it but Helix's point is a good one you could just start and stay on a really low dose for a month until after the holiday - that would be a good compromise perhaps? TTx

[cathie]

I agree that it takes a while to work

Enjoy your holiday!

[tatlim]

Thanks all, i am functioning pretty well at the moment but the drs thought i just needed that extra boost, i am hoping to be well enough to find a job and start living a normal life again (im sick of having no money). The gold does make a huge difference to me but my knees are my biggest problem at the moment , as you all know that could change at any time!!!

I will enjoy my holiday and start after i think.

Thanks again. xx

[Hidden]

If you are going to a hot sunny place for a rest that's a cure in itself.

I would wait till later. Then you can enjoy an occasional glass of wine too.

Can't imagine anything worse than going on holiday and starting to get MTX sickness! Happened to me last year and we had to come home. (Luckily we were in Britain!)

[dapper]

i agree ,wait till after the hol ,if it makes you nauseaus and tired like it did with me that will spoil your hol ,and the effect wont be as quick as the side affects

[Hidden]

Hi tatlin. im on gold aka myocrisin too. been on it about a year now on fortnightly injections.. what is your frequency?.

I changed to gold and havent had bad results really .still get gripes. hands are my worst.. I originally tried first sulphasalazine didnt suit at all made me v bad, then managed 8 months of mtx but had to come off it when dose was raised it made me quite poorly.. most people tolerate mtx quite well im a bit drug sensitive, in curious as I have never heard of gold and mtx used together x

[Hidden]

I dont think the MTX will make mobility inprovements in 3 weeks it can take up to 12 weeks if there is any concern speak to your rhuem team.. either way you want to be well for your holiday x

[tatlim]

my rheumatologist was a new one and she said not many people are on gold these days, but i do quite well on it all my bloods are fine.Im on 50mg 3 weekly injections..i will be starting on 7.5 mg of mtx weekly, im a bit worried about taking the two together also but i have to trust my drs i suppose. x

[megant]

Hi Tatlim

I was put on MTX about 8 weeks before I went to Las Vegas (beginning of April 2012) my white blood cells went down and I felt SOOOOOO sick, due to this my rheumy took me off MTX. He said I would enjoy my holiday more as I wouldn't feel so ill, he did however give me some oral steroids. Although they don't slow the desease down, they did certainly help with the pain.

So, if I were you I wouldn't start the MTX just yet, starting it when you come back is not going to make much difference in the long term, ask for some oral steriods (I took 2 a day) to help with the pain, go and enjoy a few drinks and your holiday and have a well deserved rest.

Have a fantastic time

Alison

x