Starting MTX

[pingu]

Thanks Fred

I do feel that its calmed down but as I say, putting that down to doing something positive. Doses are still low so still in the hoping phase. The main thing for me was "how long will it take". I would like to see something positive in 406 weeks but I simply don't know.

The alternative drug the consultant talked about was a lot slower so I chose MTX as I think we all want to see positive and fast results.

[Fred]

Placebo is one of the best treatments around, (if you think it's working then it will) there is nothing wrong with that, and like Jim said a positive attitude is always a good thing.

All I can say is don't get hung up about "How Long" just go with the flow and see what happens, the good thing about treatments today is what ever they are they won't cause much long term damage as people are monitored better than they were a few years ago. So you (as does everyone if they seek professional help) have a good chance of finding something that can help you cope, if it don't work out, you will be under a dermatologist and there are so many different treatments available today than there were ten year ago and more and more are coming through the pipeline.

[Brighteyes]

Hi Pingu
First of all......I'll just get this out of the way......your name is rather unfortunate.
If you knew how many hours I had to spend with a sleepless toddler being forced to watch an irritating penguin (and wanting to BBQ him) you would understand why it's not my favourite name.

Anyway, I'm following your progress with interest.
I was placed on MTX a few months ago after 4 years of being on Cyclosporine.
I did develop some nausea as the dose went up (amongst other things) but that's not to say it will affect you the same way.
Unfortunately I haven't been able to take my dose this week as something has spiked on my blood report and they want to do more tests. I managed to get up to 17.5mg before this latest drama.

I started to make a jug full of fresh squeezed lemon juice and ginger steeped in hot water and sipped it throughout the day. It did help with the slight yukky feeling.

Oh and

[pingu]

Thanks Brighteyes and all.

Well, no ill effects after my second dose of MTX, got my bloods done today as I couldn't get an appointment yesterday. Apparently if I don't hear anything its all good, if there is an issue with my bloods I will get a call from my GP. I think I would like a cal either way as I don't like the idea of just carrying on until or if waiting for a call saying stop taking MTX. Maybe that's normal. Will be getting my bloods done next on 22nd and then 5th August so every 2 weeks.

Not sure if MTX is size dependent like some drugs as I am a bit of a unit so might not see anything until my dose creeps up.

The only thing that has came from my initial bloods is that I have a high cholesterol level of 5.7 and it should be under 5. But I can deal with that as I am trying to find time to start the gym and train again after 2 years off. 

Got my folic acid to look forwards to on Friday, yippee. Just expecting no reactions at all to that the same as last Friday.

Hopefully MTX will kick in over the next 2-3 weeks and I will have a more positive mental attitude. Not sure how it will effect me if it works as I have had psoriasis for so long this is my normal, having never been clear of it in my entire adult life it may take a little adjustment.

[Fred]

Interesting question about being size dependent, I don't think it is but I'm not 100% sure. The only time I have heard about a treatment being changed due to a persons size (weight) was Stelara they tend to double the dose once you go over 100kg, I'm currently on a double dose at 90kg but I've not been on Methotrexate long enough to know the answer hopefully someone else may have more information.

I always find the cholesterol think interesting too, I was told mine was too high and my GP gave me statins to lower it. At my next blood test it had gone down to acceptable levels and I was told to continue, I told my GP not to bother as I had never taken any of the statins. he had to accept that it had gone down on it's own, but didn't bother trying to work out why and said it's up to me. My cholesterol has since gone up and down on it's own.

Trust me being without psoriasis is great it doesn't take much adjustment, the worse part is when it starts creeping back again after a long absence.

[jiml]

Got my folic acid to look forwards to on Friday, yippee. Just expecting no reactions at all to that the same as last Friday.

Hopefully MTX will kick in over the next 2-3 weeks and I will have a more positive mental attitude. Not sure how it will effect me if it works as I have had psoriasis for so long this is my normal, having never been clear of it in my entire adult life it may take a little adjustment.

You have nothing to fear from folic acid, I had no reaction whatsoever,
I would be surprised if you have any reaction it is used by pregnant women who have low folate levels, . So it is beneficial and harmless, side effects are rare, and you should be on a low dose

[pingu]

Thanks jiml

Yeah not too concerned about folic acid, I did ask about buying it over the counter at the chemist(pharmacy) but they said it was 12 times stronger than what they give pregnant women at 5mg but they typically take it daily.

All in all I am not a big fan of taking drugs of any description and have had far more than I want to this year with surgery so just being cautious hence as much research as possible and even the anecdotal input, even though Fred shout poison whenever he hears of MTX!  

Everyone is different and I need to adjust to taking these long term if its successful at all which I think will be oK. Luckily its only a once a week so not 3 times a day every day etc. Certainly beats applying lotions and potions twice a day and nothing happening. Ah the early days of everything stinking of coal tar and being stained.

[jiml]

Thanks jiml

Yeah not too concerned about folic acid, I did ask about buying it over the counter at the chemist(pharmacy) but they said it was 12 times stronger than what they give pregnant women at 5mg but they typically take it daily.

All in all I am not a big fan of taking drugs of any description and have had far more than I want to this year with surgery so just being cautious hence as much research as possible and even the anecdotal input, even though Fred shout poison whenever he hears of MTX!  

Everyone is different and I need to adjust to taking these long term if its successful at all which I think will be oK. Luckily its only a once a week so not 3 times a day every day etc. Certainly beats applying lotions and potions twice a day and nothing happening. Ah the early days of everything stinking of coal tar and being stained.

I have been grateful for methotrexate in the past. It gave me the first clearance I ever had, I only gave it up because for me the side effects were worse than the disease.
I hope you sail through without the side effects, but I'm fairly sure you should get clear...
I also think poison when I hear methotrexate but we are all aware here that it is the first line treatment and they are unlikely to move you to anything else until you fail on it, either the blood results get bad or the side effects become unbearable ( what happened to me )
It can be very effective enjoy the ride  

[D Foster]

Hi Pingu, you seem to be OK on MTX but it does take a while to kick in though the one thing is that everyone is different and what works for one does not mean that it's the same for all. I was on MTX for 9 years , 25mg for 6 years by tablets and when the side effects built up I had 3 years at 20mg by injection but again the side effects built up and I am now on Stelara at 90mg. I don't believe that MTX is a weight dependant dose more a dose to try to control the problems with the emphasis on the lowest dose as possible to do this. The folic acid is important so don't forget to take it but not on the same day as the MTX as it reduces the side effects but on the same day can reduce the effectiveness of the MTX.
Folic acid is a type of B vitamin that is normally found in foods such as dried beans, peas, lentils, oranges, whole-wheat products, liver, asparagus, beets, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and spinach.
Folic acid helps your body produce and maintain new cells, and also helps prevent changes to DNA that may lead to cancer.
As a medication, folic acid is used to treat folic acid deficiency and certain types of anaemia (lack of red blood cells) caused by folic acid deficiency.
Just be careful and note anything that is unusual ,don't drink in fact I found that a lot of stimulants like caffeine could cause stomach problems as can anything that can contain bugs , pate ,cream , yogurt etc but again we are all different and it may not effect you at all but no booze at all.

[pingu]

I don't drink very much but I think I will stray from the no alcohol as I do spend a lot of time away from home. We are only talking the odd beer. Gonna see how I get on with that. Just a waiting game now to see how things go. The last year has been pretty frustrating with psoriasis, I just thought I would have to live with it but it does seem as Fred says there are a great many options. Its many many years since I have seen a specialist, in fact probably not since I was in school so it could be as many as 30 years I have just been following my GPs advice.

If I spend too much time thinking about it I actually feel a little cheated as perhaps I could have been free from this several years ago. Keeping a positive attitude though I want MTX to work for as long as possible get back into the system with a consultant and then see what else is available that may be easier, effective and give me a little more flexibility to have the odd beer at least.

Anyway onwards and upwards.

Tonights supper is 5mg of folic acid. 

NOM NOM NOM can't wait