Can U Tell Me About ......

the patch for pain (was told it was common with Lupus & RA patients) and a med that protects your organs from Lupus. I was told it is actually an anti-rejection med for organ transplant patients.  Anyone on either of these? Thanks in Advance, Lindy

Hi Lindy I don't use the patch for pain but I think the drug you are talking about may be Methotrexate.  It is commonly used as an anti-rejection drug.  It is also used for Lupus & RA to prevent damage.  WebMD is usually a good source of information. I've taken it for many years and when I first started taking it had some thinning of my hair (similar to chemo but not as bad).  After my body adjusted to it, my hair came back as thick as ever.  They started me on a high dose so depending on your dosage, you may not get any side effects.  I am on a lower dose now and it is well tolerated. Good Luck!! MissVic59

Thanks MissVic!  I have read in several places that it IS a chemo drug. Is that true?  Thanks Lindy

As I understand it - yes it is.

I havent been on the pain patch but have been on methotrexate and plaquinol for about 3  years with no bad side affects as far as im concerned it was a wonder drug after i had tried everything else. good luck!

I've been using the Duragesic  Fentanyl pain patch for a while.. maybe a year.  My doc first put me on the 50 mcg/hr dose and I felt really out of it, so I went down to 25 mcg/hour.  It definately helps me, and I can tell when it's time to change (every 3 days).   I may go back up as I've been in a downward spiral for a long time and the pain is nasty.  (BTW - I have lupus, Fibro, and 2 low-back herniations). I've been on Methotrexate for over 10 years and so far I don't have any major organ damage. I have frequent Urinary infections but that's only started over the last 2 years.  It CAN affect your lungs so you'd need lung xrays every now and then (I've had 3).  Mtx is a chemotherapy drug, but the amount used for lupus is miniscule in comparison.  HTH, and I'm sorry if I sound abrupt or curt.  I'm really not well   grr.  lol Toni

Toni, I appreciate the honesty. It can be a scary disease. I just started on Lupus & RA drugs this year. I already have HUGE bullseye cataracts and have to see an eye MD every 6 months. I will have to have cataract surgery sometime in the next year or so. That scares me also.  I am on Plaquenil, Robaxin, and about to start on the Methotrexate for organ damge prevention. I have a iist of other meds that I am also on for migraines, etc. Thank you for helping me! Lindy Can you use the patch with other meds like Darvocet or Lortab or is that all that you need?

Hiya Lindy,  I also take Lortab 7.5/500's but I break them in half in order to take the minimum amount I need.  Please remember that the patch (like other narcotic/opiates) are addictive and you can build a tolerance to them.    I'm not saying that to scare ya, it's just my habit to give a PSA  LOL I took plaquenil for about 6-8 mos after my diagnosis and it didn't do diddly for me.  Since I was/am obese I avoided prednisone for a long time by going directly on MTX.  I started on pills, and without going through the whole history ended up giving myself a shot of it once a week.  It's a lot easier on my stomach (tho I still get side effects), and it was cheaper than the pills when I was without insurance for a while. Take care,  Toni

I am almost 3 years out from the Gbypass.  I have Lupus and have had multiple flares. I use the Duragesic pain patch and also Vicoden or percocet for the breakthru pain.

My son was on methotrexate while he was undergoing chemotherapy.  It is, in fact, a chemo drug. Cathy