Thursday, May 12, 2011

Tuesdays With Methotrexate


You may recall that a few months ago, I began a new drug combination in my battle against psoriatic arthritis: cyclosporine and methotrexate.

You probably also recall that I wrote several wah wah wah posts soon after in which I detailed my experiences with the side effects of these drugs - nausea, altered sense of taste, and increased fatigue. I began to dread Tuesdays, since that was the day that I took the methotrexate part of this drug duo.

But I did see an improvement in my joints and pain, and so I stuck it out. Week by week, my side effects grew less and less until last Tuesday, when I nonchalantly grabbed my methotrexate pills and slugged them down without hesitation.

Blink.

Yes. No barfing feeling, no tin-foil sensation in my mouth. Well, now.

I also realized that instead of dreading Tuesdays, I am now dreading the few days leading up to Tuesdays. On those days, I can definitely feel my joints become more cranky and sore. After popping those three little pills, by Wednesday evening things have calmed down considerably.

I have an appointment with my rheumy soon, and it will be interesting to see if he feels that we can tweak the dose upwards a bit in order to keep my fingers happy every day of the week.

1 comment:

BD said...

I absolutely loved MTX when I was on it, unfortunately it lowered my blood counts so I had to get off of it. I about cried because that was the best relief I ever had. Good luck with your med adjustment and I hope it goes well for you.

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