Tuesdays With Methotrexate

You may recall that a few months ago, I began a new drug combination in my battle against psoriatic arthritis: cyclosporine and methotrexate.

You probably also recall that I wrote several wah wah wah posts soon after in which I detailed my experiences with the side effects of these drugs - nausea, altered sense of taste, and increased fatigue. I began to dread Tuesdays, since that was the day that I took the methotrexate part of this drug duo.

But I did see an improvement in my joints and pain, and so I stuck it out. Week by week, my side effects grew less and less until last Tuesday, when I nonchalantly grabbed my methotrexate pills and slugged them down without hesitation.

Blink.

Yes. No barfing feeling, no tin-foil sensation in my mouth. Well, now.

I also realized that instead of dreading Tuesdays, I am now dreading the few days leading up to Tuesdays. On those days, I can definitely feel my joints become more cranky and sore. After popping those three little pills, by Wednesday evening things have calmed down considerably.

I have an appointment with my rheumy soon, and it will be interesting to see if he feels that we can tweak the dose upwards a bit in order to keep my fingers happy every day of the week.