Question:

I’VE BEEN ON MTX FOR ABOUT 3 YEARS NOW. STARTED ON 7.5 MG FOR ABOUT 1 YEAR AND THEN SLOWLY INCREASED TO 15 MG. PER WEEK, WHICH I AM STILL ON. THIS WAS NOT MY IDEA, BUT MY DOC’S. I ALSO HAVE MY BLOOD TESTED EVERY MONTH TO MAKE SURE THERE IS NO LIVER DAMAGE. IN ADDITION, I GET A SOLUMEDROL TREATMENT EVERY OTHER MONTH AS A S.O.P. IT HAS REALLY KEPT ME FAIRLY STABLE THROUGHOUT THIS PERIOD. ALSO, I NEVER HAD ANY SIDE EFFECTS FROM THE MTX, THAT I KNOW OF. NOW I’M ALSO ON THE AVONEX, SO I REALLY WON’T BE ABLE TO ATTRIBUTE ANY POSITIVE FINDINGS TO EITHER ONE OR THE OTHER. BUT WHO REALLY CARES, AS LONG AS I CONTINUE TO DO WELL. I WAS DIAGNOSED AT AGE 30 AND AM 51 NOW, SO I’M NOT EXACTLY NEW TO THE GAME. ANYWAY, I’VE TALKED LONG ENOUGH FOR MY 1ST RESPONSE ON THIS FORUM. I AM STRONGLY IN FAVOR OF THE MTX AND IF I CAN GIVE ANYONE ANY MORE INFO ON THIS SUBJECT, DON’T HESITATE TO E MAIL ME. BRUCE IN CLEVELAND.

Response:

Did you get folate supplement?  Did you get a warning re: any use of alcoholic beverage (beer, wine)?

Yes to the alchohol question plus other warnings and I may be dumb but what is "folate supplement"?        Bill – Levittown, NY EMail  Hotwh…@specdata.com            ~|_             (_)_

Response:

Hello Everyone! I too take methotrexate. I have chronic progressive M.S. I have been on the methotrexate for about almost a year. It seems to have slowed down the progression of my M.S.some. At least to the point where I can now start exercising a little bit. I have no side effects from taking the methotrexate. But every person is different in their reactions to medicine. Some people may think the metho is dangerous because of the potential side effects. But as long as you follow the Dr’s instructions you should be allright.The dosage I take is 1 2.5mg. tablet every 12 hrs. spread over 24 hrs. So that’s 3 pills one day a week. I take mine at 6:00 a.m., 6:00 p.m., and 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, ending Friday. I have not met anyone yet who has had any side effects with the metho. I hope that will relax anyone who is starting the metho treatment. The dosage above is the common dosage given.                      Sincerely………..Gwendolyn.

Response:

Hi, I’ve been on Metho for 6 months, in conjunction with IVP treatment.  I’ve been diagnosed as primary progressive.  I think that the treatments have slowed down the exacerbations, and have increased my ability to walk/balance better.  I’m not ready to ski, but at least I’m not kissing the sidewalks anymore <G

.  I can control my upper body much better, including writing!

The frustration level has dropped considerably when I need to make quick notes, take a message for a colleague or just sign my name! I’ve not had any ill side effects.  The only reminder is having blood drawn every other week to monitor the liver levels.  Your neuro, or perhaps the Rx, will tell you point blank that no alcoholic beverages should be consumed while you take this drug!   I wish you well and success with the treatment. Good luck

Response:

Bill:  You’re likely to fill a little quesy the first few weeks or so, but then it should pass. Mary Casey Darden – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -On Sun, 25 May 1997, Bill McCartney wrote:

        Hi to all the Methotrexate users out there.   I start mine on Tuesday 5/27.         What should I expect?   Does anything feel different on one dose (7.5 mg)         or does it have to build up?        Bill – Levittown, NY EMail  Hotwh…@specdata.com            ~|_             (_)_

Response:

hi Bill Please keep us updated on your Methotrexate use. Is it oral?, how often? what tyype of MS do you have?, how long? how does it effect you? what where indications that dr decided on the methotrexate. see what happens when you ask a question? you get 6 asked back! Sue

OK Sue, it’s answer time.          I don’t know a lot about Methotrexate, only what I find on the Web and personal experience of one person I know who takes it.  I requested the drug, my neuro does not suggest anything. It’s oral.  3 2.5 mg. pills one day per week starting today 5/27. Chronic Progressive for 12/13 years. In a wheelchair. My hands and arms were losing strength and coordination.  Metho is supposed to work for upper body only.  How it knows where to go is a mystery to me.        Bill – Levittown, NY EMail  Hotwh…@specdata.com            ~|_             (_)_

Response:

        Hi to all the Methotrexate users out there.   I start mine on Tuesday 5/27.         What should I expect?   Does anything feel different on one dose (7.5 mg)         or does it have to build up?        Bill – Levittown, NY EMail  Hotwh…@specdata.com            ~|_             (_)_

Response:

My Neuro wants me to start taking Methotrexate. I am still on Copaxone after 5 months. Does anyone have any experiences/tips with this drug? I talked to a Pharmacist about this drug. The label says not to drink alcohol when taking it. The Pharmacist said that occasional glass of wine would be OK. The label says not to take NSAIDs while on it. The Pharmacist said to switch from Advil, which I take a lot of, to Tylenol. Thanks in advance for any information. Fred.

Response:

On Sun, 26 Aug 2001 12:58:45 -0400, "Fred" <n…@junk.email

wrote:

}My Neuro wants me to start taking Methotrexate. I am still on Copaxone after }5 months. Does anyone have any experiences/tips with this drug? I talked to }a Pharmacist about this drug. The label says not to drink alcohol when }taking it. The Pharmacist said that occasional glass of wine would be OK.

I started taking Methotrexate 2 1/2 weeks ago, Fred. You are right about no alcohol, although I intend to have a glass of wine at Christmas when my sisters are here. Reason is because of danger of liver toxicity. }The label says not to take NSAIDs while on it. The Pharmacist said to switch }from Advil, which I take a lot of, to Tylenol.

True, the NSAIDS can contribute to internal bleeding (stomach ulcers) and so can the Methotrexate. Can’t mix them as it potentiates the effects of each. I am sure your doctor and pharmacist went over all the possible side effects with you. Listen to them, it is a toxic drug. I am taking it for Rheumatoid Arthritis. Some take it for M.S. It is supposed to be the #1 choice for RA. I had to go off Betaseron. My neuro said I could take Copaxone but we will discuss that next month when I see him. I had to have liver function tests at two weeks then once a month thereafter. Email me if there is anything else you want to ask. I am new at this, an old hand at M.S. I have decided not to have any side effects from the Methotrexate. Hope it works for me. }Fred. } }

— Joan The main cash crop on the planet Mercury is gluten. The natives are looking at aspartame as an alternate.

Response:

Fred I assume you are talking about low dose 7.5 Mg one per week dosage. If so then I believe you can still take Celebrex. However since Methotrexate is such a good anti-inflammatory medication there should be little need for another NSAID. I took it for about MTX for about 6 weeks and promptly got Pneumonia. Took me 45 days to recover. I highly recommend VERY frequent blood tests. There is little info available on long term effects of this powerful chemotherapy drug. Since I was/am taking Lipitor I do not intend to resume taking MTX again unless I have a major setback. I am Relapsing Remitting and took it to try and avoid my almost annual late spring/early summer relapse. I would recommend it for someone who has Progressive MS and does not want to take the more powerful chemo drugs. I still have a problem with possible long term effects. Might be a good ideal to take a vacation from this drug each Dec/Jan. Good luck Jack "Fred" <n…@junk.email

wrote in message

news:XW9i7.24561$4b5.611459@news6.giganews.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

My Neuro wants me to start taking Methotrexate. I am still on Copaxone

after

5 months. Does anyone have any experiences/tips with this drug? I talked

to

a Pharmacist about this drug. The label says not to drink alcohol when taking it. The Pharmacist said that occasional glass of wine would be OK. The label says not to take NSAIDs while on it. The Pharmacist said to

switch

from Advil, which I take a lot of, to Tylenol. Thanks in advance for any information. Fred.

Response:

Fred wrote:

My Neuro wants me to start taking Methotrexate. I am still on Copaxone after 5 months. Does anyone have any experiences/tips with this drug?

I’ve been on Methotrexate at 7.5 Mg per week since 1995. No problems and no side effects. I started Copaxone in June and my doctor told me to stay on both. So far, still no problems. Just make sure to get a blood test for liver function monitoring. I started with one a month the first year, every two months the second year and since I’ve never had a problem tolerating Methotrexate I now only do a blod test every 6-8 months.

Response:

I took this drug, methotrexate for a little over a year. I expirienced no side effects and was very pleased with the effect on my arm strength I di however have many blood tests and a doctor who kept a very careful watch that if any side effects did occur they would be spotted before any problems could develope. I think that is a very important part of going on that type of drug. I came off so that I could participate in the Betaseron clinical trials for chronic progressive MS not becauise I was unhappy with the drug Anna Longman

Response:

Roger wrote …

Does anyone have any experence with this drug ? A Dr. suggested it to me today and it does seem to have some side effects.

I was on methotrexate for 2.5 years with no adverse side effects. I stopped using it because it seemed to have had a diminished effect *and Avonex was then generally available and my HMO OK’d me to get it. With the methx, I was placed on a supplemental dosage of folic acid to keep my red cell count up to normal, and I had to have periodic liver checks (via blood sample) to check for possible adverse effects which have been documented in the literature. Good stuff otherwise, for me, while it lasted. Jeff Shore

Response:

Roger: yes, I have taken methotrexate for six years! Only recently did I suspend taking it on advice from my doctor who said it might be time to take a holiday from it for a while. It comes in tiny yellow pills and I was taking three of them totalling 7.5 mg once a week. It is an unconventional drug for MS but more common for ARTHRITIS. A father of some friends of ours up in Ottawa takes mega doses of methotrexate every day and would not be able to function at all without it. It is a chemotherapy kind of drug and is used for cancer patients as well. If you want to try it Roger, ask your doc to start on a light dose—so that you can ease it upwards later if you want. I’m not sure how they might start you but my guess is 10-20mg once a week—or 5mg once a day or something like that. The only side effect you might experience for the first while is some tummy upset. I did. After five or ten doses is goes away and then there is no side effects at all. I would only go on this drug if you are having extreme pain Roger. They refer to methotrexate as MTX often. Talk to you later buddy… CUJO At 04:36 PM 16-03-2000 -0500, you wrote: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

Does anyone have any experence with this drug ? A Dr. suggested it to me today and it does seem to have some side effects.   Thanks   Roger

Response:

In article <3.0.1.32.20000317102820.006c4…@kos.net

, gmcc…@KOS.NET (Gerry

McCready) writes:

It is an unconventional drug for MS but more common for ARTHRITIS. A father of some friends of ours up in Ottawa takes mega doses of methotrexate every day and would not be able to function at all without it. It is a chemotherapy kind of drug and is used for cancer patients as well.

It is also used by psoriasis patients, yet another autoimmune disease.   a friend of mine with very advanced ms had been on methotrexate for psoriasis since 1964 (no typo). It didn’t stop the development of his ms, though, which was diagnosed in 1985.  Now he is in a chair, can;’t write, can’t read, and now is losing control of his upper body. He has been on IV cytoxan, a stronger cancer drug.  It has slowed down things a little.  (Hey does this person who takes "megadoses" of methotrexate still have any hair?) Kathi

Response:

Hi Kathy: re your question about the patient taking methotrexate having hair: I have not seen the man for 12 years or so and am not sure how to respond. I will ask next time I speak to my friend and will let you know if/when I hear. Gerry At 09:07 PM 17-03-2000 GMT, you wrote: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

In article <3.0.1.32.20000317102820.006c4…@kos.net, gmcc…@KOS.NET (Gerry McCready) writes: It is an unconventional drug for MS but more common for ARTHRITIS. A father of some friends of ours up in Ottawa takes mega doses of methotrexate every day and would not be able to function at all without it. It is a chemotherapy kind of drug and is used for cancer patients as well. It is also used by psoriasis patients, yet another autoimmune disease.   a friend of mine with very advanced ms had been on methotrexate for psoriasis since 1964 (no typo). It didn’t stop the development of his ms, though, which was diagnosed in 1985.  Now he is in a chair, can;’t write, can’t read,

and now

is losing control of his upper body. He has been on IV cytoxan, a stronger cancer drug.  It has slowed down things a little.  (Hey does this person who takes "megadoses" of methotrexate still have any hair?) Kathi

Response:

jdgargoyle wrote:

Robert Hickey <rob…@mail.msy.bellsouth.net wrote in message news:38D173C3.4D46@mail.msy.bellsouth.net… snip I can’t say it is working, but I can’t say it’s NOT working. Why is it our only choices for treating this disease are this type of drug….can’t tell if it’s working or not is the description for most….makes me think treating ms is the biggest scam of the century.

JD Not really a scam. Or at least we don’t know that.  It would be difficult to convince insurances of all types to do MONTHLY MRIs to see what disease activity is occuring.  And one would have to do monthly MRIs for a while before starting a med to see what the norm is for that individual.  Then medications could be evaluated on an individual basis. It all comes down to whatever your insurance is whether HMO, PPO, medicare, medicaid or whatever and their money.      L

Response:

LaVonne I completely understand the i insurance games…..that doesn’t make it right.  I feel like, here put this in your body….we’re not sure if it will help or hinder your symptoms but it is for the good of medical science…..ah crap…..i never dreamed of being some one elses cash cow or being a guinea pig. Take Care : ) JD LaVonne Murphy <mscan…@att.net

wrote in message

news:38D8596B.9746167B@att.net… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> jdgargoyle wrote: > > Robert Hickey <rob…@mail.msy.bellsouth.net

wrote in message

> > news:38D173C3.4D46@mail.msy.bellsouth.net… > > >snip> > > I can’t say it is working, but I can’t say it’s NOT > > > working. > > Why is it our only choices for treating this disease are this type of > > drug….can’t tell if it’s working or not is the description for > > most….makes me think treating ms is the biggest scam of the century. > JD > Not really a scam. Or at least we don’t know that.  It would be > difficult to convince insurances of all types to do MONTHLY MRIs to see > what disease activity is occuring.  And one would have to do monthly > MRIs for a while before starting a med to see what the norm is for that > individual.  Then medications could be evaluated on an individual basis. > It all comes down to whatever your insurance is whether HMO, PPO, > medicare, medicaid or whatever and their money. >      L

Response:

Does anyone have any experence with this drug ? A Dr. suggested it to me today and it does seem to have some side effects.    Thanks    Roger

Response:

Roger wrote:

Does anyone have any experence with this drug ? A Dr. suggested it to me today and it does seem to have some side effects.    Thanks    Roger

I’ve been on it for 5 years. No side-effects I can detect. No positive effects, either, that I can actually see, but it only costs me around $5 a month, is an oral medication I take once a week so it’s a gamble I am willing to take. I can’t say it is working, but I can’t say it’s NOT working.

Response:

On Sun, 12 May 1996 21:34:36 -0400, David Habib <dha…@synapse.net

wrote:

Does anyone have any experience with Methrotrexate and M.S. Would appreciate reading your comments.

This medicine is used among other cases to face Asthma, Bladder-Breast-Ovary carcinomas, Rheumatoid arthritis. Was extensively used to face Child Leukaemia in the past and now is used for above and in the case of Grafting. It  is contraindicated with numerous pharmaceutical products so should be used with care and under a physician’s follow-up

Response:

Hi, Does anyone have any experience with Methrotrexate and M.S. Would appreciate reading your comments. Thanks David

Response:

On 13-05-96 3:34 David Habib <dha…@synapse.net

wrote: Hi, Does anyone have any experience with Methrotrexate and M.S. Would appreciate reading your comments. Thanks David

Hi David, I do use Methotrexate. 7.5 mg / week (On friday, when I rewind my clock) Does it help? I don’t know. Maybe. I don’t experience such a difference. I’m using it about 4 months now. As far as I know Methotrexate is a failed anti cancer drug. Now it is used for diseases like arthritis, psoriasis and MS. A study about Methotrexate and MS (CPMS) is published in 1995:

"Low-Dose (7.5 mg)Oral Methotrexate Reduces the Rate of Progression in Chronic Progressive Multiple Sclerosis."  It was published in the Annals of Neurology, 1995;37:37-60.

This is what BJ wrote (on march 12 th) about it: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

You wrote for more information on Methotrexate, and I looked it up in my PDR and found the following info on the side effects and contraindications for even the low dosage prescribed for those of us with MS. Pleas pay heed to the high-lighted lines/areas as these are the most dangerous one. ((((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) Methotrexate belongs to the group of medicine antimetabolites.  Use to treat psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. Blocks enzyme needed by the cell to live.  This interferes with the growth of certain cells, such as skin cells in psoriasis that are growing rapidly. Loss of hair. Some effects may not occur for months or years after medicine is used. Dosage: Oral and parietal May cause birth defects. May react if 7 Alcohol abuse 7 chicken pox recently 7 Disease of immune system 7 Colitis 7 Infection 7 Intestinal blockage 7 kidney disease 7 liver disease 7 Mouth sores 7 Stomach ulcer may worsen May cause a sensitivity to sunlight. Don t use with medicines for inflammation such as aspirin.  Avoid immunizations Can lower the number of white blood cells and can lower the number of platelets Side Effects: 1. 7 Blood problems 7 Kidney, stomach, or liver problems 7 Loss of hair 7 May cause cancer years after usage such as leukemia 2. Less Common 7 Diarrhea 7 Reddening of the skin 7 Sores in mouth 7 Stomach pain 3. Rare 7 Black tarry stools (generally means bleeding of the bowels) 7 Blood in urine 7 Blurred vision 7 Convulsions 7 Cough hoarseness 7 Fever or Chills 7 Lower back or side pain 7 Painful or difficult urination 7 Pinpoint red spots on skin 7 Shortness of breath 7 Unusual bleeding 4. Less Common Or Rare 7 Acne 7 Boils 7 Loss of appetite 7 Nausea or Vomiting 7 Pale skin 7 Skin rash or itch 7              B.J.        M.S.- THE DISEASE OF USED TO BE.                *HUGS*   For those looking for first-hand accounts of experiences with MS, try:        http://stripe.colorado.edu/~leonarm/ms         and don’t forget to leave your experiences too!     Take charge of your health-care, you are the boss and         you are the one the meds./treatments affect.

There is further information about Methotrexate in: http://www.helsinki.fi/~ahalko/ I hope this will give you a start in your search. It is always a question of balance. Veel Knuffels, Alex Balk             My fastest wheelchair runs 100 Mph          Living with MS is a dangerous way of life ab…@worldaccess.nl

Response:

Hi All, Caught my favorite Pharmacist in tonight and copied this info out of his books on Methrotrexate. Hope it will help. (((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) Methotrexate belongs to the group of medicine antimetabolites.  Use to treat psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. Blocks enzyme needed by the cell to live.  This interferes with the growth of certain cells, such as skin cells in psoriasis that are growing rapidly. Loss of hair. Some effects may not occur for months or years after medicine is used. Dosage: Oral and parietal May cause birth defects. May react if

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