I don't know how to feel about methotrexate at the moment. My daughter received her first shot on Friday. Prior to she was very upset because she is sick of taking medication. On Saturday, she was in her room crying not wanting to talk about how she was feeling. I stayed in there with her to give her time to open up. We talked and things seemed okay. After she took a nap, she was back in her room just sitting in the dark. I have never seen my child like this. She stated that her stomach was bothering her more since the shot. Are the folic pills suppose to help with the stomach discomfort? Does methotrexate cause depression? She has received remicade infusion's since June2016. She hasn't developed antibodies to it. During her cycle, she starts feeling pain where her crohns is located. Her last mri showed 2 inches of inflammation. This is why methotrexate was added. At this point, I'm not sure if I am doing the right thing anymore. I'm sorry if this post is all over the place.
After the first shot
- Thread starter Ladybug12
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As far as I know mtx does not cause depression
But chronic illness can
Especially in teens
Does she see a psychologist who is used to medically vomplicykids ?
Most GI dept have them on staff since it's very common with Crohns kids
Regardless getting therapy sooner rather than later is important
Not a psychiatrist since they mainly just deal with meds and not actually talking through
The issues
Mtx can cause stomach issues
Folic acid may not take those away
Leucovorin is a rescue drug (rheumo use it more than GI since they have been using mtx longer)
It is taken 12 -24 hours after the injection.
Ds took it at 14 hours then another dose at 24 hours
That helped some
In addition to 3 mg of folic acid a day everyday including shot day
For ds he just does better with pills
Injections of mtx made him feel like he had the flu (exhausted nauseous etc..)
Mtx also takes a while for the body to get used too
Some kids do better after a few weeks
Either way psychologist is the way to go
Starting as family therapy first then individual later (much easier to get TeenBMI but in that way )
The diseases and all of its "extras " that come with it
:stinks:
But you can get to a new normal
We found when meds don't work and they try a lot of them
They get discouraged and are basically sick of being sick
But chronic illness can
Especially in teens
Does she see a psychologist who is used to medically vomplicykids ?
Most GI dept have them on staff since it's very common with Crohns kids
Regardless getting therapy sooner rather than later is important
Not a psychiatrist since they mainly just deal with meds and not actually talking through
The issues
Mtx can cause stomach issues
Folic acid may not take those away
Leucovorin is a rescue drug (rheumo use it more than GI since they have been using mtx longer)
It is taken 12 -24 hours after the injection.
Ds took it at 14 hours then another dose at 24 hours
That helped some
In addition to 3 mg of folic acid a day everyday including shot day
For ds he just does better with pills
Injections of mtx made him feel like he had the flu (exhausted nauseous etc..)
Mtx also takes a while for the body to get used too
Some kids do better after a few weeks
Either way psychologist is the way to go
Starting as family therapy first then individual later (much easier to get TeenBMI but in that way )
The diseases and all of its "extras " that come with it
:stinks:
But you can get to a new normal
We found when meds don't work and they try a lot of them
They get discouraged and are basically sick of being sick
I willk into a Psychologist. At the present time my primary insurance has me in debt because it doesn't cover the infusions at all. The folic pill she refused to take. I will try to get her to take it today. The doctor did mention something about zofran. I'm not sure if I spelled that correctly. Is the folic suppose to aid in the treatment or is it given for upset stomach such as nausea and vomiting?
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Mtx is a folate inhibitors which is needed in a lot of systems
It's not just for belly pain
It's needs to be given daily not optimal thing
Did you sign up for remistart?
https://www.remicade.com/rheumatoid.../medication-cost-support/commercial-insurance
You mean remicade isn't covered at all or they are leaving you with a large copay?
Johnson and Johnson has patient assistance if they are not covering it all
Remistart is for the copay
Most states have "loophole" for kids
That is not income based to qualify for a secondary insurance
They cover a lot
Including mental health benefits
It's not just for belly pain
It's needs to be given daily not optimal thing
Did you sign up for remistart?
https://www.remicade.com/rheumatoid.../medication-cost-support/commercial-insurance
You mean remicade isn't covered at all or they are leaving you with a large copay?
Johnson and Johnson has patient assistance if they are not covering it all
Remistart is for the copay
Most states have "loophole" for kids
That is not income based to qualify for a secondary insurance
They cover a lot
Including mental health benefits
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Call the social workers at the hospital they can help with costs as well
Most GI dept have them
Most GI dept have them
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Primary insurance covers only labs and there is a $50.00 copay for each lab. I do have secondary insurance with a $5000.00 deductible. I did sign up for remistart, I think I was given 1700. To help with the cost of remicade. The 5 day stay at the hospital was 72,000 primary did not cover any of it. I don't think I qualify for state assistance due to having primary and secondary.
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I have never heard of MTX causing depression.
But depression is very common with chronic illnesses. Your poor kiddo
. She's had a tough few months. I definitely agree that she should see a psychologist.
My daughter also struggled with depression and anxiety when she was diagnosed. Her GI insisted she see a psychologist. She really, really, REALLY didn't want to and tried to get out of it, but thankfully her GI absolutely insisted.
It has made a world of difference. It took some time, but she got used to going and now loves her psychologist and even reminds me to make appts.! She is much better at coping with all the stuff chronic illnesses come with.
We see a psychologist in the GI dept. at our children's hospital - so she has lots of experience working with kids with IBD. You definitely want to see one that works with kids with chronic illnesses. Usually your GI will be able to recommend one.
I would also get your daughter to take folic acid. It absolutely has to be taken with MTX - without it, she will just feel sicker. It's a teeny tiny pill usually. It will prevent the nasty side effects with MTX - nausea, mouth sores, even hair loss.
It also may take her some time to get used to MTX. If she is getting nauseous, Zofran is an option. If it's reflux that's bothering her, some kids need a PPI or something like Zantac.
If the stomach pain continues, I'd let her GI know.
We also gave the MTX shot at night, before bed, so my daughters could sleep through the worst of the side effects.
Hang in there!!
But depression is very common with chronic illnesses. Your poor kiddo
. She's had a tough few months. I definitely agree that she should see a psychologist. My daughter also struggled with depression and anxiety when she was diagnosed. Her GI insisted she see a psychologist. She really, really, REALLY didn't want to and tried to get out of it, but thankfully her GI absolutely insisted.
It has made a world of difference. It took some time, but she got used to going and now loves her psychologist and even reminds me to make appts.! She is much better at coping with all the stuff chronic illnesses come with.
We see a psychologist in the GI dept. at our children's hospital - so she has lots of experience working with kids with IBD. You definitely want to see one that works with kids with chronic illnesses. Usually your GI will be able to recommend one.
I would also get your daughter to take folic acid. It absolutely has to be taken with MTX - without it, she will just feel sicker. It's a teeny tiny pill usually. It will prevent the nasty side effects with MTX - nausea, mouth sores, even hair loss.
It also may take her some time to get used to MTX. If she is getting nauseous, Zofran is an option. If it's reflux that's bothering her, some kids need a PPI or something like Zantac.
If the stomach pain continues, I'd let her GI know.
We also gave the MTX shot at night, before bed, so my daughters could sleep through the worst of the side effects.
Hang in there!!
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The state insurance is not Medicaid/Medicare it's medical assistance -which doesn't care if you have primary or secondary
Just whether your kiddo has a disease on the federal ssi disability list
Crohns is one of those
Medical assistance can cover a lot of the other stuff
Just whether your kiddo has a disease on the federal ssi disability list
Crohns is one of those
Medical assistance can cover a lot of the other stuff
