080208 - UK

Mary Ann has this irritating habit of staying awake the whole night. Neil had only slept for two hours. So I let him sleep and woke Cecilie up. Since it was so late before Cecilie came to bed because of the meeting at school last night I made her breakfast at bed. I drove her to school on my way to water aerobics. I was there an hour before the aerobic class started. I wanted to spend some time in the Jacuzzi and sauna first. My entire joints were aching. I was not sure I could go to the aerobic class at all. After warming up my joints I did go to the class in my own tempo.
I wonder why it is that I feel so bad every Friday and Saturday. It must be something about the chemotherapy medicine I get on the Wednesdays. Normally medicine will make you feel less pain right after you take it and then through out the week for example the effect will reduce. I gathered it would be the same with this (for me new type of) medicine.
Methotrexate (Rheumatrex) is one of the most effective and commonly used medicines to treat various forms of arthritis and other rheumatic conditions. It is known as a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) because it not only decreases the pain and swelling of arthritis but also can reduce damage to joints and the risks of long-term disability. Methotrexate interferes with several enzymes involved in the immune system. By blocking an enzyme in the body called dihydrofolate reductase, methotrexate hinders the production of a form of folic acid important for actively growing cells such as those comprising the skin, blood, gastrointestinal tissues and immune system. However, it is not entirely clear how methotrexate decreases the severity of arthritis. Improvements in arthritis and other rheumatic conditions typically are first seen in 3 to 6 weeks, but the full benefit of methotrexate may not be noticeable until 12 weeks of treatment. Improvements in arthritis and other rheumatic conditions typically are first seen in 3 to 6 weeks, but the full benefit of methotrexate may not be noticeable until 12 weeks of treatment. The most common side effects of methotrexate include nausea or vomiting and abnormalities in liver function tests. Slow hair loss is seen in some patients, but hair grows back when the medication is stopped. I have nausea and loss of hair. However as long as the medicine might work I still carry on. The side effects are the least of two worries. I would like to know though why it is on the Friday I’m feeling most pain. I have to ask the doctor.
Neil going back to bed created a problem for me since we or at least I had to go to the bank meeting. In the day time I can work almost as normal but throughout the day it gets worse and worse. I ended up with my weekly physiotherapy. I was eager finally to get home to Mary Ann after all this. But when I finally reached home, I felt really lousy. I had a little nap with her before dinner. I really had to fight to stay awake. I get so tired when in pain. Finally I went to bed with only a little contact with Mary Ann - again. Oh my, I look forward for the medicine to kick in.