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Giving up methotrexate for pregnancy

Posted , 4 users are following.

melanie10589
melanie10589

Hello, 

I'm turning 25 soon, and have been on methotrexate for the past 12ish years for psoriasis. I'm on 20mg/week injections and if I try to reduce my dose, it flares up so much that I'm too scared to reduce it again.

Although I'm not planning to have children soon, I am becoming aware that in the next few years I might be. Wondering if anyone has been in a similar position, and what alternateves were offered to you to cover the time it isn't possible to take methotrexate? 

Thanks!

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • nomoreflipflops
    nomoreflipflops melanie10589

    Posted

    Hi Melanie don't know if the same but I was speaking to a mum & she had to come of methotrexate to try for children & they gave her steriods throughout her pregnancy x
    • melanie10589
      melanie10589 nomoreflipflops

      Posted

      It is comforting to know that there are options. Do you know whether your mum's steriods were just as effective? 
    • nomoreflipflops
      nomoreflipflops melanie10589

      Posted

      Hi Melanie

      Should of worded better it was a friend who's a mum to twins also like me & she said her steriods worked very well in pregnancy & they are safe too. Friend came of methotrexate to try for a baby & she was on methotrexate a long while too x

  • shorty07
    shorty07 melanie10589

    Posted

    Hello Melanie,

    I had Rhuematoid Arthritis for 2.5 years and I was given all three - Methotrexate tablet/injection (for a year), steroids (for a year) and Sulfasazine/Folic Acid (still taking it) as I am currently pregnant.

    I reduced the Methotrexate (MTX) slowly is the best way so you know whether you can reduce the next dose or get a flare up (make notes of it if you do get a flare up). This was advised by my specialist while staying on Sulfasazine as I know this tablet is safe to take it during pregnant. That's all I know.

    I suggest to start talking to your specialist regards to your future plan incase so you are prepare when you want children.  The specialist can start looking into it and start looking into alternative medication for you while on MTX.

    Don't be scare to reduce it and be positive, this is probably the only way to find out. I have experience flare up when I was advised to stopped MTX after 8 months due to flare up with my liver due to increase of my MTX doses and had to wait until my liver status was back to normal before I can go back to my normal MTX doses. It wasn't a pleasant experience but at least you know sooner than later.

    Hope that helps. 

    • melanie10589
      melanie10589 shorty07

      Posted

      Thanks for the advice. I will bring it up with my consultant next time I see her. It helps to know that there are options! 
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