Methotrexate Journey

Milly - are you having any weird side effects? Mind-altering side effects?

Sandi you are asking that of a Meth Head?

Are you? No one that I've known who has been on it has.

Geeze Milly your rheumatologist just may make me change my mind that all rheumatologists are ditzes.

Yeah, I'm asking Meth Head.

Yes, I am. I looked it up and some people do experience it. It's more of an anxiety run amok. Weird thoughts, weird dreams, feelings of impending doom. It could be the mix of meds I'm on too. Or, maybe I'm just going crazy which is a valid thought.

I have had three good Rheumatologists, so they do exist.

Hi Milly,
Sorry I didn't get on the Chat last night, if you were there.
Glad to know you are doing well, so far.
Cheers from SA
mj

Sandi, no weird thoughts or dreams, sometimes there is a bit of the blues not really depression just a bit down, last week I was like that all week but this week I am fine. It was so bad last week that my boss at work spoke to me about it, nothing bad just wanted to know if I was ok. It seems worse if I get over tired or under a lot of stress.

Melinda, he is a really nice man and a great Doctor. Why the dislike of Rheumatologists?

Hey Mj, sorry didn't make it last night was late getting home from the Doctor, try and make it next week. Thanks for the thoughts though.

The Meth Head from OZ.

Sandi I would call the Doctor, with those feelings. That must be really a hard thing to cope with. Don't let it go on.

I'm going on vacation to the beach in a few weeks. I'll see if it goes away then. That's the only time I really ever relax. I usually really look forward to it, but this year I'm afraid of a Tsunami, car accident on the drive down, not enough money, weird things. Irrational. May be just stress.

Sandy, it does sound like you are experiencying anxiety (and may be a little panic). I've had this for years and know how it feels. It's also a form of worrying and like a doomes-day feeling. It could be stress and also some of the meds you are taking. Certain meds would bring mine on more easily. I would also experience a tightness in my chest at times. I really felt good when I was able to take Sinequan once in a while--as this would calm this feeling down. Hope you can get this resolved as it isn't good for you.

Sandi,
I have felt that way in the past, it was when I was on high dose of prednisone. Felt like the world was out to get me. It is a awful way to feel and I found that nothing would convince me that something wouldn't go wrong.

So far I haven't felt it with the Meth but as I have said there are days when I just can't shake the blues (not like me usually) so I don't know if it's the Meth or just me.

I do hope is subsides before your holiday and you can relax and take time out, pity we aren't millionaires, but I suppose we would still worry about what to do with the $$$$$$$$.

The money end is silly. I'm just worried that I won't have enough to do all of the shopping I usually do. I really can live without it!

Odd thing happened today. I got home from work and scratched my finger because it was itchy. It hurt and I looked at it. My entire knuckle is black and blue. I didn't do anything to it. Oh well, chalk it up to odd things that happen to my body.

Sandi,
Just a quick question, I know I probably have asked this before but this skin thing is really worrying me since being on Meth if I wear my wedding ring all the time by finger gets really inflamed and when I came home from work on Friday I had marks from the seams of my bra. Everywhere there was a seam I have a mark, it is like a red welt (hard to explain). I spoke to the Dr about the ring thing and he wasn't concerned but this whole bra thing is new. It is still there and it is Sunday here in Oz.
Blood test tomorrow so I guess if there is a problem it will show in this.

How is the higher dose going?

Milly - I don't know what that could be. I don't have anything like that. Some kind of hives? Are you sweating under your ring and bra?

The higher dose is going okay. No new side effects. It still doesn't seem to be doing much, but it also isn't bothering me a lot either. I was in my pool today though and I got my "being in the sun" symptoms. Pins and needles in arms and legs. I'm not too happy about that since I'm going to the beach next week. I didn't have this last year for some reason.

Good luck with your blood work! Let me know. I have to go this week too.

It's more like sunburn stripes, not sore or itching so maybe nothing just looks a bit funny but not being one for nude sunbathing I am the only one that can see it thank goodness. LOL wouldn't want to scare anyone with this 50 year old body naked.
Shame about the sun symptoms with you though I hope it's not that bad that you won't be able to enjoy your holiday, I am on two weeks leave at the moment too.

I thought for sure the higher dose would help you.

How are you doing, Milly? I'm having a weird thing happen. The skin on my hands is very dry and leathery. I've been using Vaseline at night and it seems to be helping. At first, it didn't even feel like my skin and my hands looked like that of an 80 year old.

I don't think I'm getting much benefit from this drug. I like Prednisone much better.

Sandi,
I am in two minds on this drug, I have had skin problems all the time since starting with the Meth but mine are more like rashes and sores.

I got the pain relief for the first couple of months but for the last two weeks I have been in a lot of pain. The Doctor told me this may happen and that I would need to increase the dose but I am reluctant to do this.(I will probably ring him next week and have a talk about it)

I don't know what you think but I think it also changes alot of other things as well and please excuse the rant I am about to have but here goes ( I have been holding all this in because my family and friends must get so sick of my problems)I hate this stuff it makes me exhausted, as you do I take the meth on a Friday night and Saturday is a right off I mostly sleep, I get headaches my skin looks like I am really on the other Meth, my eyes are red all the time and my thinking is foggy. I am making so many errors at work because I am just not thinking clearly. My face always looks like red and like I have a rash over my nose and cheeks. Everyday at work clients comment like "are you ok, you don't look to well"

I have this awful mettalic taste all the time and there are some foods that I used to love that I can't even stand the smell of any more (fish and seafood in particular). I hardly eat anything and I am gaining weight. I have had a bleeding nose every morning for the last week, not heavy and usually stops after about ten minuets, I also have a bit of brusing. I haven't had a count done for a while but the last one was really good.

Anyway I just don't feel good and I don't know what to do, just sitting here putting all this into words is making me cry, I am so over all this crap.

I have been thinking about what to do about all this and I think maybe a second opinion from another Doctor. I know my thyroid meds are not perfect the t4 levels are very low, tsh and t3 are in normal range but my Dr says that is ok, and then there's what to do about increasing the Methotrexate. I am happy with my rheumatologist but not so happy with my GP.

Sorry to lay all this on you as I know you have bigger problem then mine but I appreciate the input from you and the others that have followed us on this journey.

Milly, I feel saddened by your latest situation & very concerned for you. Know that you are being thought of & I hope you can get some relief soon. Your family & friends love you & do care, even though they may feel helpless & frustrated. Is there a support group for your condition in NSW where you can talk to others in a similar situation?
Big hug from SA
mj

Wow, Milly - I thought you were doing good. Sorry to hear all of that. It's okay to rant; I'm the same way, I don't tell family and friends what is going on either. It gets old.

I keep reading about people who do great on MTX and it changes their life. I'm still waiting for that to happen.

Milly,
I, too, feel bad for you that you are going through all of these problems and side effects from the Meth. I don't think I could hang in there as long as you have; I would want to discuss with my doctor what other alternatives I could go to. Why don't you get a second opinion from another doctor? Also, is there a chance that you could change your GP? And, you should talk to your family and friends (they all love and care what's going on). Sometimes just talking about the situation can make you feel better. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
DeeDee

Thanks everyone,

Mj,
I am going to talk to my husband about all this, he knows I don't feel good but I don't think he knows how bad I feel.

Sandi,
I was feeling ok it just seems like the meds are not working as well as they were. I also read about people that do great on Meth and I really think it helps just need to get the dose right. I am not a vain person I just hate looking like a drug addict. I don't think it's the Meth that is effecting me the most I think it's the thyroid thing, just researching thyroid levels now but all the sites I go to seem to have different ranges.

Dee Dee,
The meth does have the side effects but I am not ready to give up on it yet maybe my body is still adjusting. I think I will get a second opinion from another GP, can't hurt and although my GP has been pretty good to me and I like him he is very relaxed and has been a bit slack in some things.

Thanks all and please don't worry too much I am not at the bottom yet, just needed to vent. I also feel better already just talking to all of you, I don't know maybe I am just expecting to much I know the thyroxine can never do the same job as having a thyroid gland and in reality I we are taking a chemo drug so I suppose you can't really expect to have no side effects at all. Maybe it's menopause. I had surgery for fibroids last year and this has put me into menopause, the ob/gyn told me not to take HRT as this would cause the fibroids to grow again but my GP has suggested the I take HRT, I don't think it is worth the risk.

Sandi, what dose are you on now? Have you noticed the side effects any worse since you increased the last time? I really think I need to increase as I think it's mainly pain that is causing a bit of depression, and I did feel good when I started Methtotrexate.
Thanks again to everyone I don't know what I would do without you all.

Milly:

I have done a lot of reading and HRT is not a good idea with autoimmune disorders. I wouldn't do it for that reason alone.

I'm on 15 mg's. I didn't notice any difference in either side effects or relief when I upped the dose. I had the worst week this past week, but it could also be because I have bronchitis and usually flare when I'm sick. I am also taking an antibiotic and don't know if that is contributing to joint and muscle pain. It takes me a few hours to get rid of some of the stiffness in the morning. Until then, I am hobbling around at work and can't move much. I raised my Prednisone dose to 30 mg's and it helped some, otherwise I am the Tin Man. I wish I could just stay on that dose daily but I know the long term side effects would catch up with me. I started having problems with my hip a few days ago and I'm thinking "Uh oh". Hopefully it's just a fluky thing that will go away.

I did just order something called "Fibro-Ease" which is a mixture of Vitamins and ATP. I don't think I have Fibromyalgia because I respond to steroids and those with Fibro do not. I do think it's similar though and from reading articles and seeing a Physiatrist, one problem with myalgias seems to be a lack of oxygen in the muscles. That is exactly how it feels too, and stretching helps, but only for a minute or so. ATP is supposed to increase oxygen flow to muscles. We'll see....

Do you really have a GP monitoring your RA?

Thyroid levels should be between .3 and 3.0.

No I have a rheumatologist for the RA and he is great. I was thinking if I would be better to increase the meth or maybe take 5mg of pred (yuck). It takes me about the same ammount of time as you to get rid of the stiffness when I have been resting, so I don't really sit for too long because I get to stiff.

My tsh is 0.03 free T4 21.8 and Free T3 is 5.8, still searching for answers though. The fobro ease sounds interesting let us know how it goes.

Milly and Sandi,

Thank you for sharing both your successes and your struggles with this drug. I've been following it with interest, not knowing much about it. Even more so as I recently had some parents bring their little 3-year-old with RA to see me, and he has been on Trex (They prefer calling it this, rather than Meth) for about 10 months, and they really don't want to have to keep him on it indefinitely. It has allowed him to be out of enough pain that he can walk again, so that part is fantastic. But, he does complain a lot about stomach pains and his behavior is off quite a bit for the worse. At his age, he can't really verbalize everything well. So, most certainly a very hard decision.

I just thought I might make a couple of suggestions for the two of you:
Milly, as it seems you're experiencing a lot of side effects from the Meth, I encourage you to once again check out the thread I wrote under the Natural Treatment section called something like, "How To Attenuate Side Effects of Medications". Anyone can easily do this if you have a tiny bit of the medication, it's safe, it won't cost you a thing, and it's simple. I've had lots of patients do this, and it works very well. There are a few variables that can make a difference in how well you might respond, so try and follow it closely. While, since you're continuing to take the drug, I don't imagine it will remove all the side effects, but it could very well make them more bearable. I think worth a try, anyway. You could make a solution up, and then you could take a sip of it an hour or two after your dose. It does not totally stop the drug from doing what it does, but it does attenuate it (weakenthe side effect.), making it more tolerable.

Sandi, if you want to increase the oxygenation to your muscles, please consider taking a couple of different Cell Salts (aka as Schussler's Tissue Salts). They are a very low potency homeopathic remedy, but are used more for mineral supplementation, and are very easily assimilated and very inexpensive. They can make a world of difference, though. The main one to increase oxygenation, as well as to deal with the inflammation would be the #4 Ferrum phos, 6X potency (They are labeled #1 thru #12. Be sure and get the 6X potency, and not the higher ones.)

Some indications for Ferrum phos:
It's a good remedy for runners and marathon runners, as it increases the oxygenation to the muscles.
A comment from a race horse owner during one of Homeopath/Naturopath, Robin Murphy’s lectures:
“Ferrum Phos is one of the best lung remedies and oxygen builders – every race horse that used it improved in performance and reduced damage to the lungs”. (More and more horse owners are discovering how well their animals respond to the remedies, and they're safe.)

The cardinal signs for inflammation are 1) Heat, 2) Redness, 3) Swelling, and 4) Pain.
Ferrum Phos is useful in inflammation of all tissues of the body except bone. It’s the best of the 12 cell salt remedies for any kind of inflammation, especially in anemic persons.

Blood: Biggest remedy in homeopathy for ANEMIA, good for low hemoglobin in pregnancy.
Helps people recover from infectious disease, travel or fatigue. Everything’s fine but they are tired. If they have loss of vitality, think of Ferrum Phos.
Anemia after radiation, surgery, drug overdose
People coming out of the hospital
Anemia from loss of blood. NBWS (never been well since) blood loss.
Non-specific hemmhorage, nose bleeding remedy
Bleeding from fibroids, uterine hemmhorage with bright red blood, and a heavy “flooding” period.
Hematachlorosis – too many red blood cells
Capillary fragility – bruise easily
Bleeding hemorrhoids
Blood in the urine with no symptoms.
Low blood pressure – poor circulation.


Another one for pain would be #8 Magnesium phos 6X:
Mag-phos is aka the PAIN Cell Salt – When pain comes up use Mag Phos for the nerve pain.
The Anti-Spasmodic – Cramps & Spasms
Anti-Spasmodic – Charlie Horses, Leg Cramps, Leg Cramps in long distance runners.Cramps at night especially when sleeping, wakes up with leg and foot cramps. - Mag Phos acute.
Sharp Shooting pains that radiate from the sight of the cramp. All kinds of injuries that cause sharp shooting pains. >BETTER HEAT the strongest modality for it. Desire to put a hot, hot water bottle on it. They want HOT,HOT HOT to relieve the cramps.
Back injuries “ Pulled Back” Whiplash remedy – The neck cramps up (Bryonia, Rhus Tox, Hypericum main whiplash remedies)

You can read more on the cell salts, as well as see some other things to try on this natural Healing Site
www.daveshealingnotes.com/ailments/fibromyalgia-natural-remedies.html

April,
Thanks for your interest, I am willing to try your suggestion. I have an open mind when it comes to all types of treatments and although the Methotrexate sounds bad it really was helping with the pain and I want to continue with it, until someone has lived with the pain of RA it is hard for them to understand how hard it is, so I will try this for the side effects. I do think though I will still need to increase the dose of Methotrexate.


I am also going to look into the Ferrum Phos because the NBWS bit caught my attention, over the last 18 months I have a huge blood loss starting when I first got ITP, my blood loss at that time required three bottles of blood, Two bottles of iron plus plasma and platelets, I was very unwell. I also had blood loss for nearly seven months of last year because of the fibroids bleeding, this is where I feel my GP has let me down it took seven months for him to refer me to a doctor that was willing to operate on someone with ITP. The hospital in the town I live in lost a patient who had just given birth due to low platelets so all the Drs are very wary of the platelet thing.

Anyway April I thank you again for your input and I feel for the small child you spoke about and I don't doubt that he is not feeling his best. The Methotrexate is great for the pain but like all medication is has it's bad side.

April - I may seriously look into that. You keep giving me helpful hints and I keep throwing them on the back shelf. Is it something I can get on Amazon? I try to order everything from there so I don't have to put my credit card info online all the time.

Milly - I truly cannot tell what are side effects and what are symptoms. The only thing I know that is a side effect is that I also can't tolerate the smell of some foods, pizza for one. I also have some hair loss going on. Not just falling out at the roots, but breakage. I don't like the hair on my hands when I wash it in the morning and there is a lot plugging up the drain. I have been on meds with worse side effects, Lyrica for one. That one was an absolute nightmare. It took away my ability to function and the day I stopped it, I thought I was dying.

I got to skip the MTX this weekend because I'm sick and on an antibiotic. I don't feel any better this morning than I did last Saturday; still tired.

Ok I have come up with a plan and thanks to all who made suggestions. I have really had enough of me and it is time to do something.

1. Call rheumatologist and get the dose increased (no point taking this if it is not working and it was working I was not in any pain for the first few months)

2. Try April's suggestion for the side effects (don't knock it until you have tried it)

3. Get a new GP and get all bloods reviewed (tsh, t3 t4 are out of wack and RDW is always high, not sure what this means but I will find out)

4. Have a look for a support group for chronic illness, if there is not one might even start one. ( Town of 30 thousand people there must be others that need support through these type of things)

My last thing is purely to listen to what my body is telling me. If I can't eat certain foods there must be a reason that I can't even stand the smell of these things.

So I have taken on everyone suggestions, I hope all of you in this discussion know how grateful I am for your support, you truely are wonderful people.

Sandi,
I haven't noticed any changes to my hair since the Meth started it did however change when I was on pred went from dead straight to very curly, still curly now so I guess that is permanent.

Milly,
That sounds like taking control and doing something positive. We all have these problems with our health as time goes on, and it's really good to try and take control for ourselves.

And, April, thanks for all the posting on the homeopathic remedies for side affects. I like to save all of your ideas; you never know when you might want to try something. Right now I'm doing okay--but it's hard to say in the future what might happen.

Sandy, my hair fell out from the prednisone and Decadron; also, it's like kinky curly. And my nails are very thin. This could also be from past tyroid problems--it's just hard to tell. I do just put on a cute wig--and I'm good to go.
Thanks,
DeeDee

Dee Dee, I am really going to try and stick to my plan and I am going to be more positive. I have a lot to be grateful for and I am going to focus on these things. I have looked at a few RA boards and it seems as though the meth gets easier as time goes on, so early days for me yet.
Thanks again.

My hair is okay for now. I have never lost hair from Prednisone, but I guess some people do. I really don't want to resort to a wig....I like my hair. Since the benefit doesn't seem to be worth the risk, I'll stop the darn drug first.

I got my Fibro Ease today, but was afraid to take it. Maybe tomorrow.

Milly - one reason for a high RDW is low B-12. That is a simple fix. High dose Sublingual B-12 will bump that up quickly. Good plan you have there. You may want to add a Vitamin D check to that list (the nails). Low D is also a reason for muscle/joint pain and fatigue.

Funny you say that Sandi, started vitamin D today. Thanks. (all great minds think the same) LOL

Hi Milly,

Just having a plan and some positive steps to take can make a huge difference in how you feel.
I second taking the Vitamin D3. I really like the liquid kind, and prefer it over taking pills. (I like Carlson's Ddrops, in the 2,000 IU size)
Don't forget that if the flu or some other illness is going around, by taking extra for a few days (6,000 IU), you can usually avoid catching it.

Since you had such a significant blood loss, I think you could really benefit from one of the homeopathic remedies we have that are good for after loss of body fluids. These can be helpful even years after the loss occurred, especially if you've never been quite the same since then. I won't post those here, as there are quite a few that could be useful, depending on all of your particular symptoms, as well they need to be used with proper indications and cautions. If you can, I'd suggest consulting a homeopath who could recommend the right one for you. You'd be surprised what a difference it can make. Then, you can use the following two cell salts to help rebuild your blood.



CELL SALTS USEFUL FOR ITP

Some simple guidelines for when I might include cell salts in the protocol for a client:

--Use a cell salt that is complementary to a constitutional remedy, either in conjunction or in alternation with the remedy doses

--Use a cell salt to provide palliative relief to past complaints brought forward in constitutional work

--Use a cell salt associated with a specific pathology based on affinity, symptoms/condition, and appearance

--Consider a cell salt when allopathic medications are possibly disrupting nutritional uptake or metabolism

--Add a cell salt to therapeutic protocol during high metabolic demand: teething, growth spurts, intense activity, to assist in platelet production

--Use cell salts therapeutically during an acute illness or injury to support repair and re-establish homeostasis

--Consider when there is an epidemic disease influence in order to provide prophylaxis

--Add a cell salt to therapeutic protocol during physiological stressors: puberty, pregnancy, menopause, andropause
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Guidelines for Dosage/Posology (Always use the 6x potency):
* Ideally taken when no other food or drink can interfere with their action.
* In reality, a dose that is taken with a meal or a drink will do more good than the dose forgotten because the client did not want to take it too close to a meal or drink!
Tablets:
Adults: 3-4 dissolved under the tongue, 3 - 4 times daily.
Children: 2 dissolved under the tongue.
Note: Pour tablets from bottle into cap, and from cap into mouth, not into the hand.

For some patients, remembering to take them is an issue. This is one way that is easier to remember for many folks:
Tablets in water: put the total number of tablets to be taken throughout the day into a water bottle, and drink the water through the day. (Okay to combine more than one cell salt in the bottle.) Alternatively, put 10 tablets of each cell salt in the water.
With this method it is clear at the end of the day whether or not it was all taken.

Liquid cell salt dilutions: Take 6--12 drops directly in the mouth and hold there for the duration of a few relaxed breaths. Repeat 3-4 times daily.

Rx For Anemia or Blood Loss, to Build Up the Blood Again:

Ferrum Phos 6X Cell Salt
Calcium Phos 6X Cell Salt

Dose: 3 pellets to be dissolved in the mouth, alternately, 3 times daily for two months.




CALCAREA PHOSPHORICUM #2 (Phosphate of Lime)

The sphere of the Phosphate of Lime (Calc-phos.) includes all bone diseases, whether due to some inherited dyscrasia or to defective nutrition in osseous and other structures dependent upon a proper distribution of lime molecules in the body.

blood dyscrasia
Etymology: AS, blod + Gk, dys, bad, krasis, mingling
a pathologic condition in which any of the constituents of the blood are abnormal in structure, function, or quality, as in leukemia or hemophilia. (or ITP!)

It is the bone cell-salt. Without this element, no bone can be formed and hence it is a valuable remedy in childhood when the bones are in the condition of being formed.
It increases bone-marrow activity to produce more red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC) and platelets.

Calc. phos. is also found in the gastric juice and so plays an important part in the process of digestion and assimilation, aiding growth.

It is of importance in anaemia and in chlorosis, which often result from heavy or continual bleeding symptoms, particularly excess menstrual bleeding, occurring in the ITP patient.

Chlorosis (aka "green sickness") is a form of anemia named for the greenish tinge of the skin of a patient. Its symptoms include lack of energy, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, dyspepsia, headaches, a capricious or scanty appetite and amenorrhoea (menses are stopped). Today, it’s diagnosed as ‘hypochromic anemia’, thought to be brought on by menstrual blood loss and an inadequate diet, so it is most often seen in adolescent girls.

Calc-phos is needed during dentition when the teeth are slow in making their appearance and decay too rapidly; also in other teething disorders. (It’s one of the common remedies in most brands of homeopathic teething tablets.)

In convalescence after acute and chronic wasting diseases, it acts as a tonic by building up new red blood corpuscles and by restoring the lost vitality. Valuable for restoring the milk supply and vitality to weak and exhausted nursing mothers.

When there is deficient development or growth of children and young people, emaciation without apparent cause, premature babies (add Silica 6X to Calc-phos 6X to help any preemie), all will respond magnificently to the influence of Calc-phos.

Aids the union of fractured bones that are slow to heal.
Chronic enlargements of the tonsils and goiter.
Rheumatism of the joints
Scoliosis, spinal weakness and curvature
Suppuration of bones

PREVENTING OR REVERSING BONE LOSS

To prevent and sometimes even reverse osteoporosis and lessen damage to bones from prolonged steroid use, I’ve found the cell salts to be very effective. This protocol is recommended by Dr. Luc De Schepper, MD, PhD, DI Hom., CHom., Lic.Ac:

“The one I find the most useful is Calcarea phosphorica 6X because it is great in all cases of osteoporosis and can be taken effectively in such cases or in cases where there is a weakness of the bones, like in osteogenesis imperfecta, with easy fracturing of the bones. So once you approach menopause and Osteoporosis is a possibility, Calc phos 6X is better than any medication!”

To prevent osteoporosis. Take 2 pellets of Calc-phos 6X, daily, under tongue.
(As with all remedies, do not touch the pellet, simply tap out into the cap, then tip under your tongue).

Alternatively, you can take it in a wet dose by putting two pellets in a 4 oz cup and taking one tsp from cup. Discard the rest of the solution-do not save it for later use. Make a fresh batch daily.

I have found either way seems to work, so it’s really personal preference.
At this low potency, it is very close to the crude substance, and so acts more like a supplement. If you are taking a constitutional remedy daily, I would recommend taking them apart from each other.



Do this daily for one month, than skip a month, then resume, etc.

This protocol always works very well.

FERRUM PHOSPHORICUM (Ferrum phos), Cell Salt #4

Ferrum metallicum (iron) + Phosphorus (phosphoric acid)
This salt has an affinity or attraction for oxygen, carrying it to every part of the body. Thus, it’s important in all diseases in which the blood and corpuscles are involved. We should think of Ferrum phos first, whenever we see abnormal conditions of the corpuscles of the blood themselves, or where there is a relaxed condition of the muscular tissue. It gives strength to the circular wall of the blood vessels. A constituent of hemoglobin, it supplies the color to the blood corpuscles.

Our First Aid Cell Salt. It is the ‘rescue remedy’ of the cell salts.
1st stage of all acute diseases, such as inflammations, congestions and fevers
(Manifested by a flushed face, fever with full pulse, hot, dry skin, thirst, and pain and redness of the inflamed or congested part.)
End stage of disease, the convalescent period
The symptoms calling for this remedy are always made worse by motion, and
are always made better by cold.




Ferrum phos is the Cell Salt for the Blood:
Biggest remedy in homeopathy for ANEMIA, including aplastic anemia, chlorosis
Anemia from loss of blood
Anemia after radiation, surgery, or drug overdose
NBWS (Never Been Well Since) blood loss
Non-specific hemorrhage
#2 nose bleeding remedy (Phosphorus is #1)
Bleeding from fibroids
Bleeding hemorrhoids
Uterine hemorrhage with bright red blood, and a heavy “flooding” period.
Good for low hemoglobin in pregnancy.
Blood in the urine with no symptoms
Capillary fragility
Bruise very easily

Helps people recover from infectious disease, travel, fatigue or blood loss.
They’re told, “Everything’s fine”, yet they’re still tired, with a loss of vitality, then think of Ferrum Phos.
“Bone marrow transplants”
People coming out of the hospital
Low blood pressure
Poor circulation.

The “Blush” remedy—They often appear healthy and robust, with circumscribed, red rosy cheeks, yet in fact they are weak and anemic. (You’ll frequently see this in rosy-cheeked children-it may look as if someone has painted a circular red patch on their cheeks. Their skin will be hot and dry.)

Ferrum phos is a good remedy for runners and marathon runners, as it increases oxygenation of the blood.
A comment from a race horse owner during one of Homeopath / Naturopath, Robin Murphy’s lectures:
“Ferrum Phos is one of the best lung remedies and oxygen builders – every race horse that used it improved in performance and reduced damage to the lungs”.