MTX Brain Fog

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TerryB

Posted Thursday, November 20, 2003 6:30 PM

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Last Login: Thursday, July 31, 2008 12:31 PM
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Hi everyone, Ryan has been on MTX for 7+ weeks now and I've noticed that she has been inattentive for 3 days since I gave her her weekly MTX. I noticed this a few other times but I didn't notice how long it lasted or blamed it on viruses. Does anyone know if this improves as time goes by or is it just something that we need to live with. Even her PreK teacher took me aside after class because she had noticed that she wasn't hearing the teacher in class today. I'm wondering how much this could possibly interfere with a child's education? We also have not ssen a noticable improvement in the arthritis either but we haven't had any "flares" either since we started the MTX so maybe it's doing something???? We'll see the Rheumy tomorrow.

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soniadykhuizen

Posted Thursday, November 20, 2003 8:49 PM

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Last Login: Thursday, July 31, 2008 12:32 PM
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Hi Terry, I have been doing lots of research on mtx given that it looks like a possible option for us. Apparently, it is usually the first disease modifying choice of drug for systemic jra. Anyway here are a list of the side effects: (common) diarrhea, skin and eye sensitivity to sunlight, abnormal liver function tests, hair loss, immunosuppression, skin rashes, fatigue and headache. (less common) nausea, mouth sores, dizziness, kidney damage, headache, drowsiness, liver damage, lung damage (dry cough), hair loss and neurotoxicity which can cause learning disabilities. The side effects reverse when the drug is discontinued. Some parents wrote that their children "seemed less sharp, took longer to complete tasks, fatigue etc. The parents recommended giving the dose 1-2 hours after the supper meal. I was thinking if this is the drug that we go with I might try giving it on Friday or Sat. night so that maybe whatever side effects there are they would wear off by monday so as to not effect school as much. You might want to just give Ryans teacher or school nurse a fact sheet on the drug including the side effects. I have been doing that with Aundrea's school nurse and teacher and they both seem quite appreciative of this. Sonia

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TerryB

Posted Saturday, November 22, 2003 4:30 AM

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Last Login: Thursday, July 31, 2008 12:31 PM
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Hi everyone, Ryan came down with some stomach bug so I'm not sure if the Brain Fog really would have lasted 3 days. I am going to move the MTX to Friday night slowly. The Rheumy wants to keep her on it for now. She thinks that she sees a little improvement. I'm not so sure but it is possible that she is right. It is so hard to tell with a 4 yr old. I still have to go by how she appears functionally. Her mental health seems a little better now but that might be because she has just learned to tie her shoes, zip her coat and start to read all in the past week. Questions, questions, questions.... I'm sure you all spin your mental wheels like this about the treatment plan and just what is going on inside your child's joints. We already have some deformity and I just don't want to see any more of it.

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AmyB

Posted Saturday, November 22, 2003 12:58 PM

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Last Login: Thursday, July 31, 2008 12:30 PM
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Terry, I really like the idea of giving the medicine on Friday nights. My daughter Lauren was on MTX for the entire 1st grade. Her performance at school varied day by day. Now with your post, I am wondering if it was MTX related. She went off MTX this October in 2nd grade due to other reasons, but her school performance seems better. I don't know if it is related, but it is something to think about. In regards to your comment, you don't know if it is working or not. It is so hard. Somedays in Lauren's arthritis I think things are improving in a certain area and then I am not so sure. I try to let the doctor determine about the inflamation and stuff because a swollen knee or joint is so hard to detect. I just try to report symptoms experienced (hot joints, difficulty walking, etc.) and then let the doc tell me if the arthritis is actually better. Well, the brain fog matter is very intriguing. Since my daughter is in special education and diagnoised with the learning disability, shortly after arthritis diagnois, it seems like it is all related. What is so sad, is that I don't know of any studies related between chronic illness and learning disabilities. Well thanks for letting me ramble. I think both Terry and Sonia are on to something. Friday night sounds like a good idea. Just make sure you don't forget. We had done Monday because of getting on a routine and remembing, but I definately think having the side effects on the weekends is better. Take care, Amy

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