some help with drug questions, please

[Bassetmom]

I just read the boards on MTX and yet I have questions as to the side effects of of it. The research I have done has not provided me with as much info as I had hoped. I am also on coumadin and a blood pressure medication. I have blood drawn once a month but now need to have one draw for the rheumy. What is he looking for? What are the long term problems.

Next question: There was a message board about eating ice cream and they said it was not good for PA. Are there foods to avoid and is there somewhere to look for holistic help? I hate all the drugs I am on, but a necessary evil.

Thank you in advance for all you sage advice

[MikeK]

Hi Bassetmom,

Methotrexate (http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/rxdrugprofiles/drugs/met1257.shtml) is actuallya form of chemotherapy that in lower doses is used to treat psoriasis and PA. You asked:What is he looking for? What are the long term problemsLiver and kidney failure are among MTX's many potential side effects. (You should not drink alcohol when you're on MTX.) It can also cause birth defects. The blood tests that your rheumy are to check you liver fuction, etc. You may eventually have to a liver biopsy. The good news is that a lot of people who post here are on MTX and report little or no serious problems. (Nausea and fatigue seem to be the most common complaint.) The bad news is that, sadly, several people who post here developed serious MTX related side effects. (Midnight needed a liver transplant (http://www.psoriasis.org/forum/showthread.php?p=39721#post39721) and Liz developed kidney disease (http://www.psoriasis.org/forum/showthread.php?t=9785). We haven't heard from Midnight in a very long time, so we have no idea how well she is doing. Liz checks in from time to time. Here's a link to one of her latest posts: http://www.psoriasis.org/forum/showthread.php?t=16183.) I'm not trying to scare you by sharing Midnight's and Liz's experiences with you. Like I said, most people, thankfully, haven't had serious issues with MTX. However, you need to be aware of the potential risks and you need neet to report any thing that's "different" to your doctors. Here's a link to a discussion about blood tests: http://www.psoriasis.org/forum/showthread.php?t=9504.

You might want to explore the Alternative and Complementary formum. I'm not as well versed with the discussions that take place there, but I do know ithat Dulane has used diet and supplements to relieve her PA symptoms. (The one thing about PA is that you run the risk of permanent joint damage if the symptoms can't be controlled.)

I hope this helps.

I'm sorry if I scared you.

Good luck. Keep us posted and let us know if you have any other questions.

Mike

[ouchyk]

Bassetmom,

Be careful using anything OTC, altern etc. and be sure to let your doctor know what you'd like to take just incase thier is any interactions with your mainstream meds. I don't think anyone of us enjoy taking medications but they are a necessary evil as you've said.

If you want to leave ice cream out of your diet I don't think that would hurt you :) you could see if it makes any difference in how your feeling. There is a ton of great ideas for pain relief here. Some people find foods or alcohol ( which you shouldn't have alcohol on MTX ) to trigger thier psoriasis or make them feel like thier joint pain is worse.

I'm kind of surprised that your doctor didn't explain things to you about the medications, how they work and why the need for bloodwork. :( Maybe you could open up the lines of communication a little better at your next visit. I'm sure you were overwhelmed with the diagnosis and sometimes it takes a while to absorb all the information.

I bet by Monday you will have a bunch of people telling you about thier positive experiences on MTX and how well its worked for them.

Hang in there, have a nice weekend everyone!
Karen

[SandraJean]

Hi Bassetmom.

Welcome to the boards although I'm sorry to hear about your pa. It can take a bit of time to get adjusted to the dx of psoriatic arthritis and alot of trying of different meds to see what will be best for you. Everyone is on different types and unfornaturly what works for one, might not work for another. We all seem to have different systems and different solutions to what will work for us.

I noticed you said you were on coumindin and have to have your blood droawn monthly. I, too, am on coumidn and have been for quite number of years. It really hasn't interfered with my meds that I'm on, but both my doctors and pharmacy know of the coumindin and keep me aware and themselves aware of what I can and can not take due to coumidin. As far as any supplents or herbs, we have to research them ourselfs as there are many that can and do interact with blood thnners.

I've hears alot of good luck with methextode as well as some complications. Quite a number of people here on the boards have used it with good results and also use it in combination witrh either the new biologics or regualar p and pa medicenes.

Please ask any question you need to know more about and I'm sure many more people will be on with more information. Sometimes it can be a little slow over the weekends.

Keep us posted on how you make out.

Sandy

[patti2957]

This site includes patient ratings for various drugs, this link takes you to the mtx page. The side effects, benefits and comments are all quite diverse, but it reinforces the individual nature of the illness and response to treatment.



http://www.askapatient.com/viewratings.asp?drug=8085&name=METHOTREXATE%20SODIUM&sort=age

patti

[scratchydee]

Hello Jean!! Welcome to the board!! I am so happy to have you here. I do not know much about any of the drugs you listed. My treatment has always been limited to creams and topicals, things like that. So I am sorry I can not be much help! I can help with any moral support you may need.
Mike K was kind enough to bring to my attention that you are also from the Rochester area! That is super!!! I live in Chili. Have you every gone to a p support group? I am going for the first time tomorrow. It's in Pittsford and is headed by Sandy(SandraJean) who also lives in Pittsford. I hope you can join us sometime. I think by just talking to others with p that it will really help me with the day to day emotions I have because of my p. And I may even wear a short-sleeved shirt just because I know I won't get any strange looks!!! LOL

[SandraJean]

Hi Jean,

I was wondering if Bassettmom was you. I really am glad you were able to get on the boards over the weekend. I was glad to get your e-mail last week and am so sorry to hear that you work evening and will be unable to attend the group meeting this Monday. Mike just wrote to me and confirmed you were the girl from this area. I really hope we can maybe get together over lunch sometime and maybe Denise and Marilyn can join us. There are two Denises now. Denise (above) will be coming to the meeting this Monday and I'm anxious to meet her. This will be her first meeting and there also is another Denise that posts on the boards (denisea25) who is from the Rochester area and has been my co-leader for the group. Marilyn (fptmom) is also a member of the group and is an assistant for the group. She won't be able to be at the meeting Monday but we often have gotten together for lunch. Sure hope you can come sometime. We'll all have to set up a date.

Really glad to see you on the boards and if you need any extra help please feel free to give me a call---do you still have my telephone number?

Take care and talk to you later,

Sandy

[Bassetmom]

Hi and thanks for the posts, I am actually named JANE but that''s OK. My MOM was Jean so I am used to being called that also.I live in the village of Fairport. I would love to do anything I can do be an active and involved member. I am a real go getter, so let me know if there is things we can do locally or what ever. I am so new to all this and it is really overwhelming. I have always had excezema but when I had the rash two years ago, no one could diagnosis it. They said it was stress only. I was going through a really bad divorce after 26 years of marriage, lost my job, and had to move into my own house. It was scary as hell, but I did. The rash went away as my life moved on. But last year I started with the PA and that has been a trip. I really would like to be an advocate for people going through this. I have learned in my life the best cure for anything is to turn and help someone else. So blessings on everyone and I hope this will be a start of a beautiful friendship.
Jane