How do I know if MTX is working?

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TheresaW

Posted Monday, November 16, 2009 12:33 PM

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Last Login: 2 days ago @ 12:22 AM
Posts: 43, Visits: 74

My daughter is 22 months old and been on 5 mg MTX injection and 1 ml folic acid for 8 weeks. The rheumatologist gave us a schedule 3 weeks ago to reduce her prednisone 0.5 ml every 2 weeks until she is off it completely. How do we know if the MTX alone is working? She is not very verbal but so far I don't see any indications of pain. It just seems like so many of your children are on multiple medications for polyarticular, I'm trying to get some indication of the next steps. I am a little nervous because she has been so happy and pain-free that I am afraid of what will happen changing the medications.

Also do the side effects improve with time? She has mild nausea and gets mild sores on cheek, lower lip around 36 hours after the MTX injection. The doctor said this should improve with time. Can anyone attest to that?

Theresa
Mother to Gavin (4 yrs) and Abigail (22 months, JIA dx'd July '09)

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Juile

Posted Tuesday, November 17, 2009 8:20 AM

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Sometimes the Mtx takes a while to start working. If she is feeling pretty good than it probably is. The doctor will be able to tell for sure through the physical exam and lab results.

There are medicines they can give to counteract the side effects if they don't get better with time. Also, I have read other posts where parents shared the tricks they use to counteract the nausea. For example, if she always gets nauseous around 72 hours after the shot, then switch to giving the shot to a time when she would be asleep during the time she doesn't feel well. Maybe if you post just about tricks for dealing with nausea and mouth sores you will get some good advice... I haven't had to deal with that much. My daughter threw up right after I gave the shot out of stress until I switched to giving it to her while she slept, but never a few days later.

However, if the side effects are too severe, your doc might want to change meds. I have never met a parent who wasn't concerned about the meds at first, but you will feel better as you see your child getting better. Your doc will monitor her closely and make sure she is safe.

Take care.

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Grandpavan

Posted Tuesday, November 17, 2009 12:19 PM

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When I was trying to find the right medications I found that reducing Prednisone let to lots of pain until the medicines really became effective and then I could get off the Prednisone easily. I think if you can reduce the Prednisone without seeing increased pain it shows that the Methotrexate is working. God bless.

Age 82, diagnosed RA 12/2001, married since 1952, 4 sons no daughters, 4 grandsons 1 granddaughter. Doing well on Methotrexate and Remicade.

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TheresaW

Posted Tuesday, November 17, 2009 9:36 PM

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Last Login: 2 days ago @ 12:22 AM
Posts: 43, Visits: 74

Thank you for the response. Sounds like MTX is working Smile

I will research older posts for nausea tips.

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