“Methotrexate is used to treat certain types of cancer of the breast, skin, head and neck, or lung. It is also used to treat severe psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Methotrexate interferes with the growth of certain cells of the body, especially cells that reproduce quickly, such as cancer cells, bone marrow cells, and skin cells.
Methotrexate is usually given after other medications have been tried without successful treatment of symptoms.
Methotrexate can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood to clot. You may get an infection or bleed more easily. Call your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding, or signs of infection (fever, chills, body aches).
Methotrexate can cause serious or life-threatening side effects on your liver, lungs, or kidneys. Tell your doctor if you have upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), dry cough, shortness of breath, blood in your urine, or little or no urinating.”
Are you freaked out yet? Because I am. I write this from Seattle area; I am here to wrap up personal and medical appointments before heading to Oklahoma for the RVing women’s convention. First stop: both GI docs.
As my symptoms are still present, my therapy has now been augmented with methotrexate, which I inject once weekly. Setting aside for a moment the sheer terror of sticking myself with a needle (I never got used to it for the short time that I took Humira, and Humira came in a spring-loaded pen), I was terribly nauseated for a few days after the first injection – a common side effect. And then there is the potential for hair loss. Oh joy.
If methotrexate in conjunction with an Entyvio infusion every two months proves ineffective, my physician suggests that we attempt to get insurance approval for once a month infusions. That could prove a bit tricky, as the research data is not in. As you may recall, Entyvio was approved by the FDA only last May.
My doctor also raised concerns about getting infusions on the road. My insurance will cover only certain infusion centers, and then those centers must accept his orders. Or, I must find a local physician who is willing to write orders.
Oh, well. Full steam ahead. As the old song goes, “The difficult I’ll do right now; the impossible will take a little while.”
This Post Has 6 Comments
Wow! I can say that you will still be gorgeous even if you do lose your hair. This will all work out. You can make magic happen!
Oh, that is quite the speed bump. I hope your doctors will be able to find a workable solution soon so that you can continue with your dream.
Stress, worry and anxiety are just energy that can be used for other things. Say healing for example.
At the risk of seeming blithe I consider this to be more true than most can imagine.
Disabled physically and mentally, my recent journey started with being unable to get out of bed for any sustained duration.
With dedication I am now Full Time RV’ing. Certainly I am limited but I burst with gratitude to be out of my room and away from Chicago winters.
Too, I have a short tether of requiring monthly morphine refills which need to be on paper physically handed to me and filled in person. There is a solution here, it just needs more noodling.
Of course I can not know what you’ve been through to date. Only that we all are more capable than we know.
I have faith in you Sister Traveler!
Bill
??? on the Freedum Bus.
Thank you, Brother Bill!
I have enumclaw art picture for you. Might cheer you up. How can I get it to you for your trip start?
You in Seattle.? Call me
Shoot, Robin, I am just getting your message from the road! Any chance you could mail it to me? What do I owe you?