Intrathecal Methotrexate
Methotrexate is a folic acid antagonist chemotherapy drug that can be taken orally, injected, or infused directly into the CNS. I have the pleasure of taking it orally once a week and having it injected via my Ommaya reservoir (seen here) every other month. Luckily there is no pain involved--the scalp is very thin. You can hear the fluid rushing in on occasion, however, which has to be the oddest sensation around--no one else can here it and you can't truly feel it--there are no sensory nerves within the brain.
The methotrexate does knock me out for two or three hours following treatment but the effects diminish rapidly and fully.
And for those facing the installation of an Ommaya--Don't sweat it. If you've had a bone marrow biopsy, this is small potatoes. No joke. I woke up with a moderate headache that was immediately squelched by a couple of Loritab. I think I stuck to Ibuprofen after that initial kick of narcotics.
Let's face it--this is bizarre.
Intrathecal Methotrexate
Methotrexate is a folic acid antagonist chemotherapy drug that can be taken orally, injected, or infused directly into the CNS. I have the pleasure of taking it orally once a week and having it injected via my Ommaya reservoir (seen here) every other month. Luckily there is no pain involved--the scalp is very thin. You can hear the fluid rushing in on occasion, however, which has to be the oddest sensation around--no one else can here it and you can't truly feel it--there are no sensory nerves within the brain.
The methotrexate does knock me out for two or three hours following treatment but the effects diminish rapidly and fully.
And for those facing the installation of an Ommaya--Don't sweat it. If you've had a bone marrow biopsy, this is small potatoes. No joke. I woke up with a moderate headache that was immediately squelched by a couple of Loritab. I think I stuck to Ibuprofen after that initial kick of narcotics.
Let's face it--this is bizarre.