Was put on MTX today

[pberggren1]

Deb, it is important that you stay on a acid blocker to protect your stomach while on pred. I would contact your doc ASAP and ask him what he would suggest. The standard seems to be Omeprazole.

COPD makes sense if you smoked for years.

I tell my doc all the stuff we talk about here on the Forum all the time and he encourages me to come on here on a regualr basis.

[Thakator]

Debra,
My vote in your survey request: no, it's not simply your anxiety. I too feel that three months between visits is way too long. If you need the MTX, then the Wegs is too close to the surface or is actually on the loose - - either way, things could happen too quickly for you to wait three months to go over your current symptoms and bloodwork status. My rheumie would say one month at most.

Also, while I don't know what your doc has in mind for you, please remember that the customary dose of MTX (once it's been determined that one can tolerate it) is in the low 20's mg/week. Ron

[drz]

Another vote for monthly labs. I asked my Wegs consultant about cutting back to every six weeks since i have been in remission and rather stable for several months, but he recommended I stay on monthly labs after discussing his reasons why for several minutes. My treating doctor for Wegs was OK about cutting back to even two months but I decided to stay with monthly lab work for rest of year.

[Debbie C]

I am on 25 mg of MTX a week, and take folic acid and 40 mg of omeprazole daily. I get labs done every 4 weeks and see my Rheumy every 6 weeks.

How long have u been taking it ? The print out I got from the pharmacist shows that taking omeprazole may increase the blood level of MTX and may lead to higher chance of side effects, thats why I was gonna lay off the prilesec for awhile.
Where is Liberty Center, Ohio ?

[Dianne]

I've been taking them for about a year now and don't seem to be having any problems with it. Liberty Center (just a small town) is about 35-40 miles from Toledo . I see you are from Youngstown - a few people I work with live there.

[Sangye]

Debra, I think it's important to have monthly labs when starting a new medication like mtx. It can cause liver problems among other things. Have you checked about using pantoprazole (Protonix) instead of prilosec? I don't know if it has the same interaction with mtx--worth checking. Protonix was the only acid-blocker that worked for me.

Have you considered being treated at Cleveland Clinic? It sounds like you're having to direct your own care too much. That is exhausting, anxiety-inducing and dangerous. If CC is far, you could go occasionally and have them work with your local docs.

Phil, diagnosing COPD is not based on symptoms alone.

[Debbie C]

[QUOTE=Sangye;57672]Debra, I think it's important to have monthly labs when starting a new medication like mtx. It can cause liver problems among other things. Have you checked about using pantoprazole (Protonix) instead of prilosec? I don't know if it has the same interaction with mtx--worth checking. Protonix was the only acid-blocker that worked for me.

Have you considered being treated at Cleveland Clinic? It sounds like you're having to direct your own care too much. That is exhausting, anxiety-inducing and dangerous. If CC is far, you could go occasionally and have them work with your local docs.

Hi Sangye, I used to take protonix a long time ago ,I don't remeber why I switched. And yes I'm going to the CC on the 23rd, I am aslo going to my pulmonary dr. today, which this appt is just in time ,I have had such a had time breathing the last couple of days, I don't know if its because its the sudden drop of weather change or what but I have really been feeling crappy. Also I made an appt. to see a kidney dr. for next week. I am determined to get this under control. I do have a script from a reumy I used to see for lab and urainalysis (SP?) work that doesn't expire so I can always take that in once a month and have my gp look at it. I'm just not anxious (or maybe too anxious !) about this MTX stuff.

[Jaha]

Debra C,

I go to CC and have great care and concern given to my condition. They also have a wonderful pulmonogoly dept there, who was the first to dx me with Wegs. I'm have always been able to get a hold of my Rheumy with any questions I have, she calls me back in a timely manner. They also have me do labs every week locally and then it is faxed directly to her nurse. Did you make your appt with the kidney dr at CC? I think it is always a good idea to keep all the specialist under one roof, for communication purposes. I wish you all the best with your visit to CC. You will be amazed at the care you are given there.
Jana

[pberggren1]

Phil, diagnosing COPD is not based on symptoms alone.

I know. Are you forgetting I'm Dr. Phil?...........lol.

[Debbie C]

Jana no I have an appt. to see a kidney dr. here in town and my pulm dr. is here also. I went and saw him today and he was very happy with my scan . I have one nodule that has shrunk down to almost nothing. The problem now is for the last few days I have had a hard time breathing and he is setting me up to have another scan done to see if any clots in my lung. Everyone at my house seems to think its the weather change and I live surrounded by a park..lots of trees and pullen, so I don't know what the problem is. I'll probably hear about the scan tomorrow. But I can't get to the CC all the time ..thats why I try to keep my drs. local and maybe they can communicate back and forth. Still haven't started the MTX, I want to feel better first.