Have we got it backwards?
It just dawned on me: what do I actually know about the meds I am taking? I know, a little late after having swallowed them for so long haha. But... better late then never! So I summed it up for myself and besides the description that comes with the drug Methotrexate, I don't know much about it. Now, that description already should be enough to scare me off to even take a closer look. Oh Lord, it's enough to make you sick just reading it. And then the strong warning I recall, when I first got that medication: be sure to take the entire dose once a week. NOT daily, but ONCE a week!! If taken daily, I would ensure my own death. So what toxic substance am I washing down every week and what does it do?
So here is what I found on it:
" Methotrexate is classified as an antimetabolite drug, which means it is capable of blocking the metabolism of cells. As a result of this effect, it has been found helpful in treating certain diseases associated with abnormally rapid cell growth. It has also been found very helpful in treating rheumatoid arthritis, although its mechanism of action in this illness is not known. It seems to work, in part by altering aspects of immune function which may play a role in causing rheumatoid arthritis.
It is widely distributed throughout body tissues with reports of persistence of this drug in the liver up to 116 days after exposure.
It is a cancer medication, when used in high doses. In lower doses it is used to slow the progression of autoimmune diseases such as RA.
If you are taking methotrexate, you need extra folic acid. The reason: methotrexate can cause folic acid deficiency, which can result in problems/side-effects. Folic acid can be given by your doctor as a supplement. Foods rich in folic acid include beets, boysenberries, brown rice, veggies in the cabbage family, cantaloupe, citrus fruits, eggs, green leafy vegetables, haddock, halibut, salmon, tuna, soybean sprouts, asparagus and spinach. Eating five or more servings of the above fresh fruits and vegetables and three servings of fish a week should be more than adequate to decrease the side effects."
I have every confidence in my Rheumatologist and I don't question many others, because I perceive them superior in their knowledge. They studied for it, so they know what they are talking about and I have faith that their advise (or prescription) will solve/diminish my ailment, for I lack their knowledge and don't bother to ask, like so many others.
So here is what I found on it:
" Methotrexate is classified as an antimetabolite drug, which means it is capable of blocking the metabolism of cells. As a result of this effect, it has been found helpful in treating certain diseases associated with abnormally rapid cell growth. It has also been found very helpful in treating rheumatoid arthritis, although its mechanism of action in this illness is not known. It seems to work, in part by altering aspects of immune function which may play a role in causing rheumatoid arthritis.
It is widely distributed throughout body tissues with reports of persistence of this drug in the liver up to 116 days after exposure.
It is a cancer medication, when used in high doses. In lower doses it is used to slow the progression of autoimmune diseases such as RA.
If you are taking methotrexate, you need extra folic acid. The reason: methotrexate can cause folic acid deficiency, which can result in problems/side-effects. Folic acid can be given by your doctor as a supplement. Foods rich in folic acid include beets, boysenberries, brown rice, veggies in the cabbage family, cantaloupe, citrus fruits, eggs, green leafy vegetables, haddock, halibut, salmon, tuna, soybean sprouts, asparagus and spinach. Eating five or more servings of the above fresh fruits and vegetables and three servings of fish a week should be more than adequate to decrease the side effects."
I have every confidence in my Rheumatologist and I don't question many others, because I perceive them superior in their knowledge. They studied for it, so they know what they are talking about and I have faith that their advise (or prescription) will solve/diminish my ailment, for I lack their knowledge and don't bother to ask, like so many others.
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