It never got beyond flurries here -- nothing that stuck, even as it got colder (it's 30 now, 19 by morning, maybe). Any winter day without shoveling is a good day by me.

No flurries here, but I might be able to open my windows tonight. I really like when the weather breaks and we can open up again.

I dressed for yesterday's weather today, which was a mistake.

Also, my umbrella cut me both times I closed it! It's new, but I think I might just throw it away.

Jesse has an eldritch umbrella that possibly is using her blood to summon a demon, pass it on.

I shoveled snow off of my car this morning.

Jesse has an eldritch umbrella that possibly is using her blood to summon a demon, pass it on.

Jesse has an old rich fella that possibly is using her blood to summon a diamond, pass it on!

I wish!!

Is someone here taking methotrexate (maybe for arthritis)? I seem to recall it coming up.

How are you tolerating it? Are you on a strong dose? Have you had many side effects? Have you found any tricks to limiting side effects?

My son has to start taking it to help out his IV Remicade (his main Crohn's Disease drug). Because Remicade is a biologic, patients can develop antibodies to it over time, which can both render ineffective and cause reactions.

He hadn't developed antibodies the last we checked, but his last infusion (before today) was on July 31st. When you've gone off Remicade for a while (he had to, for his surgery) and then resume, there's more of a risk that you'll develop antibodies.

He'll be taking 10mg of methotrexate once a week, and 1mg of folic acid every day (because methotrexate makes you eliminate folic acid faster than usual).

He had his first loading Remicade infusion today. He's planning to take the methotrexate tomorrow. They suggested taking it at night, in case it caused nausea. We decided on Wednesdays, because next semester, he has no classes on Thursdays, so we figured it was a good to add a buffer day in there.

Is someone here taking methotrexate (maybe for arthritis)? I seem to recall it coming up.

Tim takes it for his RA (he also was taking Remicade until recently), and I just grilled him about everything he's experienced and what he does to manage the side effects.

How are you tolerating it? Are you on a strong dose? Have you had many side effects? Have you found any tricks to limiting side effects?

His dose is 20 mg once a week. His biggest side effects are nausea and fatigue. He takes it on Saturday afternoon (he works Saturday mornings), comes home and takes a nap after work, and then he sleeps late on Sunday. ("Lots of sleep," he just yelled down the hall at me. He's an old pro at methotrexate.) By Monday, the side effects are pretty much gone. Your son may have to tinker with the timing of the dose to find out the exact best time to take it.

Did his doctor prescribe leucovorin with the methotrexate? It also helps prevent side effects, including the white blood cell count getting wonky.

Because methotrexate is a cancer drug, there can be some initial hair loss, but it's a markedly lower dose than used for cancer, and Tim's rheumatologist said that hair loss is usually spread out over the head, not in clumps. Biotin supplements have really helped with that. And also, that side effect does go away (at least, it did for Tim -- his hair is lovely).

Finally, the nausea. There are anti-nausea meds, and if your son needs them, use them. However, ginger is an excellent anti-nausea remedy, and that's all Tim uses. He gets Reed's Extra Ginger ginger beer to sip, but his real silver bullet is ginger chews (texture like Laffy Taffy or a Tootsie Roll, extra super crazy ginger-y). If you have a Trader Joe's, they have these in the checkout line: [link] (I don't know why that link is to Walmart) (they cost less at Trader Joe's). Tim swears by them. If he gets nausea, it's only the day of and the day after he takes his methotrexate, and the ginger chews knock it right out. We have ginger chews stashed everywhere -- home, his work, both cars, his jacket, my purse. (I learned the ginger chew trick from a pregnant friend with horrible morning sickness.)

I think since your son's dose is half of what Tim's is, his side effects may be less, and probably pretty manageable. Tim also said if you have any other questions, fire away. He's happy to share his experience.

I'm on methotrexate as well. Newly at 22.5 mg once a week, pills. I've honestly noticed no side effects from being on the meds (I have other issues, but that's the RA& whether this treatment is as effective for it for me.) My dr put me on daily folic from the get go. My hair hasn't changed, so either it's working or a nonissue.

But I also seem to have unusual reactions to many drugs, so.