Hey! I've recently been started on a new
course of treatment for my arthritis as I
have tried many other options, with little
results. I have had arthritis since I was
7 years old and I am now 19 years
old...The docs called it juvenille
arthritis when I was first diagnosed but
now, 12 years on, they call it chronic
arthritis. My knees are affected the most
but I have had various other aches and
pains over the years. My doctor began me
on a course of methotrexate, which I
believe is to carry on for a number of
years. I am told that this will not cure
my arthritis, an issue I have already
accepted, but if it is successful it will
potentially keep my arthritis at bay and
slow any further joint damage. The only
problem I have with this treatment is that
I don't know much about it other than it
is also used for cancer patients, can
anyone help me?
|
ragdollannie
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 30 Nov 2004 Posts: 1
Posted: 11-30-04 19:41pm
What is methotrexate?
• methotrexate interferes with the
production and maintenance of dna, which
is the genetic material in the cells of
the body. Methotrexate has a greater
effect on cells that reproduce often such
as cancer cells, bone marrow cells, skin
cells, and others. This is how
methotrexate works in the treatment of
cancer and psoriasis. It is not known
exactly how methotrexate works in the
treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
• methotrexate is used to treat certain
types of cancer, psoriasis, and rheumatoid
arthritis.
• methotrexate may also be used for
purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
Do not take methotrexate if you are
pregnant or could become pregnant during
treatment. Methotrexate is in the fda
pregnancy category x. This means that it
is known to cause birth defects in an
unborn baby. Methotrexate can affect a
baby both when a woman is treated and when
a man is treated. If the woman is being
treated with methotrexate, pregnancy must
be avoided during treatment and for one
ovulatory cycle following treatment. If
the man is being treated with
methotrexate, pregnancy must be avoided
during treatment and for 3 months
following treatment.
• do not take aspirin or nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (nsaids) such as
ibuprofen (advil, motrin, nuprin, others),
ketoprofen (orudis kt, orudis, oruvail),
naproxen (aleve, naprosyn, anaprox), and
others except under the direction of your
doctor. Although these medications may be
prescribed together to treat certain
conditions, methotrexate may interact with
aspirin and nsaids, and possibly cause
serious side effects. Discuss the use of
aspirin and nsaids with your doctor.
• do not drink alcohol while taking
methotrexate.
Hope this helps .
|
capn
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 28 Jan 2005 Posts: 5 Location: Iowa, usa
Methotrexate Posted: 01-28-05 02:55am
I was on methotrexate for 10 years before
it stopped working. Front line stuff. A
good drug. Now on humira, expensive but
it seems to be working. Good luck to ya.
