Question On Reducing Med

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Hyes' Hubby - 02 Oct 2005 20:50 GMT

Hello All,
1st post here and my Wife was diagnosed with RA in July this year. She's
been on MTX for 2 months and her joints (hands and feet in general) are much
better. The prescribed 7.5 mg weekly dose of MTX is now making her a little
nasuous in spite of taking the folic acid daily.
My question is, (and I'm the one asking it due to my better command of
English than my Korean wife) is it suggested that when RA symptoms subside
that you can reduce your dosage of MTX? Her next appt with the
rheumatologist is still 4 weeks away.
Thanks in advance.
Steve Monroe

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Smokie Darling (Annie) - 02 Oct 2005 21:30 GMT

> Hello All,
> 1st post here and my Wife was diagnosed with RA in July this year. She's
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> Thanks in advance.
> Steve Monroe

Hi Steve,

That really is something that should be discussed with her
rheumatologist, as reducing the dosage could have an adverse effect on
her RA, and possibly she may not be able to get decent control again
easily.

Having said that... She can try drinking more water the day she takes
the dosage (7.5 isn't much, I was on 20mg a week, and others are on
even higher doses). There was something else besides, the water, but
I'm drawing a blank. I know some people take it just before they go to
bed, so the worst of the nausea is over by the time they awaken.

Best of luck to you and her. I hope someone can remember the "other"
thing that helps with the nausea, since I didn't have that problem, I
only paid attention in passing (sorry about that).

Be well.

Smokie Darling (Annie)

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Duckie - 02 Oct 2005 22:10 GMT

No - do not decrease the dosage without the doctor's
input. Call the office if you have to. MTX does NOT
cure the disease. It holds it back. Reducing this
already low dose of MTX would be wrong.
I think I remember that keeping hydrated is very
important. So get her to drink a lot more water [not a
lot more caffinated drinks like tea, coffee, or soda].
Others who actually take MTX will be along later to
fill in the gaps of my knowledge.
Duckie

> Hello All,
> 1st post here and my Wife was diagnosed with RA in July this year. She's
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> Thanks in advance.
> Steve Monroe

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debbie m. - 02 Oct 2005 23:42 GMT

Steve,

I don't take MTX but what I've read drinking plenty of water does help
some.
I think nausea comes with the territory.

Some say taking it by shot helps plus asking your doctor for a stronger
folic acid that you have to have by prescription.

I hope this helps and she feels better soon. I'm glad it is giving her
some relief from her RA.

debbie m.

> Hello All,
> 1st post here and my Wife was diagnosed with RA in July this year. She's
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> Thanks in advance.
> Steve Monroe

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Mary Z - 03 Oct 2005 01:03 GMT

>My question is, (and I'm the one asking it due to my better command of
>English than my Korean wife) is it suggested that when RA symptoms subside
>that you can reduce your dosage of MTX? Her next appt with the
>rheumatologist is still 4 weeks away.

Don't do it! I missed 3 mtx shots and the RA came back with a
vengeance. Often if the symptoms return you must use more medication
than before. She should try mtx by injection it may reduce her side
effects. Discuss this with your Dr. but RA will have to be treated
the rest of her life.

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http://www.mzuschlag.com

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Charrlygrl1 - 03 Oct 2005 16:59 GMT

I agree with the others, don't reduce it or stop without consulting
with her RD.
Increasing her water intake is probably a good idea.
Also, there is another medication, leucovorin (sp?), which helps fight
some of the side effects of MTX (hair loss, etc...). I don't know if
it's supposed to help with the nausea or not.
I take 20 mgs every Weds night, just before bed so I don't have to deal
with the nause and sometimes dizziness that I used to get when I took
it in the morning.
I have also read/heard that the injectable form of MTX does seem to
have lesser side effects than the pill form.
I think if the MTX is actually working, you wouldn't want to back off
the dose-risking the RA coming roaring back, possibly even worse than
before.
I hope that some of this helps,
Charlene

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Hyes' Hubby - 04 Oct 2005 01:57 GMT

Thanks All for your replies & advice. The point about opening the door for a
flare up is well taken and we're shifting to evening MTX doses & an increase
in the water intake. My wife is actually feeling better the past day or two
so this was probably just one of the bumps in the road everyone encounters.
Being newbies it just happened to be our first one.
Good health to all and thanks again!
Steve

> Hello All,
> 1st post here and my Wife was diagnosed with RA in July this year. She's
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> Thanks in advance.
> Steve Monroe

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Alison DeLorme - 04 Oct 2005 02:28 GMT

the night dosing will certainly help - she'll be able to sleep through alot
of the initial side effects. But make sure she takes it within an hour or
two of bedtime. I've meade the mistake of taking it early evening and having
the side effects hit me and then I couldn't sleep all night due to the
nausea... ugh! bad lesson to learn... Of course, I'm on a much higher dose
but still - better safe than sorry...

alison

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