Injecting Methotrexate Part 4

Injecting Methotrexate Part four

(OMG!, I don't believe what happened last night! I was trying to finished part 4 of injecting methotrexate, and all HELL broke lose in my body! The pain was crazy and wicked! There wasn't an area on my body that did not suffer. The pain was so bad I had to get off the computer. I am very disappointed with the methotrexate. The injections should have brought me some sort of relief, enough where I would have known the injections were working. Sorry for the rant, back to finishing this post)

I choose the left side of my abdomen to self-inject my 1st injection of methotrexate. When I returned home from the pharmacy, I sat down on my bed to examined the vials liquidly yellow substance and 1ml syringes. I really didn't want to take this medication, so I had to put myself in a safe place (mentally), where I would be able to not only self inject, but to self-inject the medication safely.

To give me the confidence I needed to self inject, I sat down to watch a few more You Tube videos on the subject. Once I felt like I could do it, I got everything that I needed together and placed them on my night stand. Then I placed the syringe, vial, alcohol, Benadryl and cotton balls on a piece of paper towel and washed my hands.

I hesitated as I sat down on my bed  and picked up the vial along with the syringe and alcohol and cotton balls. I was still alittle unsure of what I had to do. I don't know why I am always doubting myself.

Every time I lifted my pajama top up , it fell back down, so I just took the darn top off!! I cleaned a small area on the left side of my stomach with the alcohol and cotton balls. I exhaled as I picked up the small vial and popped up the blue lid. I was cautious as I peeled opened the syringe. I didn't want to stick myself. Then I stuck the needle inside a tiny opening on the top of the vial. Flipping both the vial and syringe over ,I pulled down on the handle of the syringe. I had to do this a few times, because the syringe kept bubbling and that's not good. However on the third or fourth time, the syringe filled up without a single bubble. Thank -God!

Before I gave myself the injection, I watched another YouTube video on injecting methotrexate. I was worried that I was going to screw up. When I was finished watching the video, I exhaled once more. Then I pulled my pajama top up and wiped my abdomen again with alcohol. I can do this, is what I kept telling myself. I picked up the syringe from my night stand, laid back on my bed, pinched my skin and slowly I began to inject myself with the methotrexate.

Once I pulled the syringe out of my stomach, I wiped the injected area with alcohol. Since I did not like feeling as if I needed to vomit, I took the Benadryl right after I put everything up. I have to say that I was proud of myself. I guess I need to go back to therapy to revisit my lack of confidence issues.

This past Tuesday evening, I gave myself my 4th methotrexate shot. I am getting good at it. I have to get labs soon, to see if my liver enzymes' are still elevated. Prayerfully, my liver enzymes' are fine and I can continue taking the methotrexate. I need to get off the prednisone, not just because of the potential bone damage, but the prednisone is not good for my blood sugars.

Until my next post, be blessed everyone.

Injecting Methotrexate Part 3

Injecting Methotrexate Part three

As I waited for Medicare to okay my methotrexate injections, I changed my mind about taking the injections several times. The side effects from the medicine frightened me! I already had cold sores in my mouth, as well as some hair loss and thinning. Then to make matters worst, my liver enzymes were alittle elevated at 36 ( normal 34). There was never any doubt in my mind that I needed to proceed with caution, but what the hell was that?!
                                           
I was suppose to go into the office once Medicare approved the injections to learn how to inject myself. However, since the act of injecting myself was not new to me, I decided to refresh my memory with a YouTube video, on injecting methotrexate. I found several videos on the subject that were very, very informative. I love You Tube! Plus, I had some knowledge on how to inject myself, because back in 2008, I had to learn to inject myself with biologic drugs that were prescribed to me for my rheumatoid arthritis.

Biologics like Enbrel, Humira and Remicade are used to treat moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis that has not responded adequately to other treatments. They differ significantly from traditional drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis in that they target specific components of the immune system instead of broadly affecting many areas of the immune system. Biologics may be used alone but are commonly given along with other rheumatoid arthritis medications. Biologics have been shown to help slow progression of rheumatoid arthritis when all other treatments have failed to do so. Aggressive rheumatoid arthritis treatment is known to help prevent long-term disability from RA.

One of the You Tube videos that I found helpful was one about a young lady who was taking methotrexate for her Ulcerative Colitis. This You Tuber talked about her experience with the methotrexate injections, she also gave an understandable demonstration on how she gives herself the injection.  

Once I finished watching her video, I knew what to do, I just didn't want to do it, because I hated needles! Still one of my immediate worries was becoming nauseated ( a side effect)and drained after the injection. However, she addressed my squeamish worries when the You Tuber stated that her nurse told her to take a Benadryl right after the injection. The Benadryl would more than likely take away the urge to vomit.

So the only thing that was left for me to do, was to inject the methotrexate, right? Maybe, maybe not.

Injecting Methotrexate Part 2

Injecting Methotrexate Part two

A rheumatologist is a board-certified internist or pediatrician who is qualified by additional training and experience in the diagnosis and treatment of arthritis and other diseases of the joints, muscles, and bones.

As I stated in a previous post, I was diagnose with RA in 2008. My rheumatologist prescribed Methotrexate to me in May of 2005. She was sure that the Methotrexate would work and at the same time, it would get me off steroids. Before I took the Methotrexate, I got on my computer at home to research it. I was scared of the possible side effects, especially to the liver. However, I felt I needed to give the medicine a try because I was miserable!
I didn't note in my medical journal when I stopped taking the Methotrexate. However,  in February of 2006, I wrote that my rheumatologist was putting me back on Methotrexate. Only this time she prescribed 8 pills a week for me to take. Basically, that's how it was with me and the methotrexate. I would stop taking it and my rheumatologist would put me back on. Overall in my case, I didn't think the possible side effects with no big change in my condition warranted me taking the methotrexate. I know I am not a doctor, but that's how I felt.
So on January 17, 2014, when my rheumy decided to prescribed methotrexate to me again, I was skeptical, but agreed to give the medication another try. What did I have to lose, I felt there was a possibility the methotrexate would work. At least work well enough where I could get off the steroids.
Fast forward to the latter part of 2014, with a different rheumatologist at the same practice, who was like the previous rheumatologist uncompromising about my need to get off prednisone. Therefore, a couple of appointments later (April 2015), the decision for me to begin injecting methotrexate was made. Even though I was the one who initially brought the topic of injecting methotrexate to the table, I was still very reluctant. Nevertheless, I needed to stay focus, because the issue at hand was getting off the prednisone.


Prednisone is used to treat conditions such as arthritis, blood disorders, breathing problems, severe allergies, skin diseases, cancer, eye problems, and immune system disorders.
Prednisone belongs to a class of drugs known as corticosteroids. It decreases your immune system's response to various diseases to reduce symptoms such as swelling and allergic-type reactions.
Side effects from Prednisone: Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, heartburn, trouble sleeping, increased sweating, or acne may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. (WEBMD)

Injecting Methotrexate, Part 1

Injecting Methotrexate Part one

Methotrexate is used to treat certain types of cancer or to control severe psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis that has not responded to other treatments. It may also be used to control juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Methotrexate belongs to a class of drugs known as antimetabolites. It works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells and suppressing the immune system. Early treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with more aggressive therapy such as methotrexate helps to reduce further joint damage and to preserve joint function.This medication may also be used for lupus and psoriatic arthritis.


Methotrexate is given weekly either as a shot (injection) or by mouth (orally).

Methotrexate interferes with the production and maintenance of DNA, the genetic material in the cells of your body. It is not known exactly how methotrexate works in rheumatoid arthritis, but it can reduce inflammation and slow the progression of the disease. Methotrexate is considered a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD). DMARDs are also called immunosuppressive drugs or slow-acting antirheumatic drugs (SAARDs).

Methotrexate reduces inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis. It is the most common DMARD used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.¹ Methotrexate may be used: In the early stages of rheumatoid arthritis to prevent disease progression and in combination with other medicines such as other DMARDs.

Methotrexate is effective in relieving joint inflammation and pain, slowing disease progression, and preventing disability by delaying joint destruction.² People with rheumatoid arthritis may be more likely to continue treatment with methotrexate than with other DMARDs because of favorable results and tolerable side effects.

Methotrexate is often the first DMARD prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis and usually provides relatively fast relief of at least some symptoms. If you can tolerate methotrexate, but it is not effective, your rheumatologist will recommend that you take another DMARD along with methotrexate (combination therapy). For example, methotrexate may be combined with leflunomide or with a biologic medicine.

Combination therapy may allow for lower doses of an individual drug to be used, which may reduce the risk of adverse effects that can occur with higher doses. In one large review of studies, various combinations of DMARDs plus methotrexate were more effective than either methotrexate or another DMARD alone.

Side effects to  Methotrexate: Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, drowsiness, or dizziness may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Temporary hair loss may occur. Normal hair growth should return after treatment has ended.


Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.


Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: mouth sores, diarrhea, signs of anemia (such as unusual tiredness, pale skin), signs of liver problems (such as dark urine, persistent nausea/vomiting, stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin), easy bruising/bleeding, black stools, enlarged glands/lymph nodes, bone pain, unusual pain and discoloration of the skin, change in the amount of urine, dry cough, muscle weakness.


Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: weakness on one side of the body, neck stiffness, severe headache, vision changes, irregular heartbeat, mental/mood changes, seizures.


This medication may lower your ability to fight infections. This may make you more likely to get a serious (rarely fatal) infection or make any infection you have worse. Tell your doctor right away if you have any signs of infection (such as fever, chills, persistent sore throat, cough).


This medication can affect sperm production, an effect that may lower male fertility. Consult your doctor for more details.


A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
(This information on Methotrexate was found on WEBMD)

Me and My diagnoses part 1

I was diagnosed by my rheumatologist with Rheumatoid Arthritis,( R.A.) in 2008. Prior to the R.A diagnoses, my rheumatologist described me as having an undifferiented collagen  vascular disease ( UCVD).

Undifferentiated Collagen Vascular Disease, is a disease that doesn’t allow for a prompt diagnosis, because patients sometimes developed overlapping symptoms of various Connective Tissue Diseases.

Connective tissue disease refers to a group of disorders involving the protein-rich tissue that supports organs and other parts of the body. Examples of connective tissue are fat, bone, and cartilage. These disorders often involve the joints, muscles, and skin, but they can also involve other organs and organ systems including the eyes, heart, lungs, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, and blood vessels. There are more than 200 disorders that affect the connective tissue. Causes and specific symptoms vary by the different types.
 
For other forms of connective tissue disease, the cause is not known. In some cases, researchers believe the disorder may be triggered by something in the environment of people who may be genetically susceptible. In these diseases, the body's normally protective immune system produces antibodies that target the body's own tissues for attack.(WEBMD)

I was so stressed out during that period of (UCVD), that I honestly believed I would be on my deathbed before anyone found out what was really wrong with me!


In September 2004, I started having the worst chest pains ever. The pain was so wicked that I thought I had some sort of pulmonary disease. After all I smoked for over twenty years, and when the pain radiated to my upper back, I thought I had pneumonia or worst lung cancer. However, my chest x-rays and cat scans were negative.


This constant pain in my chest and back, compounded with my arthritic body aches disabled me so much that I was home more than I was at work. At one point I thought my heart was the problem. I went to a cardiologist and had test done and my heart was absolutely fine. I started thinking that I was going mad!


I was so depressed that all I wanted to do was to stay in bed. My body was hurt. I was in pain. I was having difficulties breathing and no one could tell me why definitively.


I want to note that none of the doctors or specialists that I saw made me feel awkward or silly. They were at times just as baffled as I was, with my medical issues. Then after several trips to my then general practitioner, with chest and back wall pain again, I was diagnose with Pleurisy. Which can be severe, one of the symptoms of pleurisy is sharp pains in chest when breathing deeply. I would use my inhalers to assist me when I needed help breathing. For my bout with pleurisy I was prescribed anti-inflammatory medicines and for awhile they worked.


Pleurisy which is sometimes called Pleuritis is swelling (inflammation) of the thin layers of tissue (pleura) covering the lungs and chest wall. (WEBMD)