methaxatrate side effects

That is such relief...so you think its from the methotrexate caused this liver damage? Thought it may have been the inflammation as well. Yes i have relief with the steroids. Cant get below 7mg but my rheummy is is southern suburbs of sydney and he would never confirm PMR purely age factor. He then said possible some sort of spondylitis but not 100% sure. This bio drug are you still taking it and are you still on steroids?

Hi from Canberra!

Almost certain that at least some of the liver damage will be from the MTX. I have some as well, which 'we' are keeping an eye on. My rhuemy isn't overly concerned as yet. If you have had relief from pred, then it's mostly likely PMR.  7mg isn't so bad, can you talk him into leaving you at that dose for a while? How old are you?

I'm on Actemra, still on 5mg pred and 20mg MTX (15mg Folic acid x 3 days after weekly dose of MTX)

I am late 40s. I have been on 7mg about 5 months now. Tried to reduce but got stiffness back. I am definately coming off methotrexate . My gp doesn't agree with the bio drug as says long term effects are not good. Something to do with cancer cells stoppers..not really sure. Is the Acterma injections or pill form. And how do you feel now any stiffness?

There are currently two ways of having Actemra, one is a monthly infusion and the other is a weekly injection. I give myself the weekly injection.

Late 40s is definitely not too young for PMR - I was only just 51, so you can't say that a few years makes a difference either way.

My view on the Bio is that if it works, then try. It's allowed me to reduce to 5mg from 15mg in three months. What's worse, the side effects from pred, or from the bio? Only you can decide that!

I noticed a significant improvement in pain/stiffness and fatigue after starting Actemra - the brain fog and fatigue almost completely disappeared. But remember, my pred dose went down at the same time, so who knows which was actually the cause of the improvement?

I can't believe you were allowed 15 mg of folic acid. My rheumy would only allow me 3 mg to combat the symptoms of MTX.

Did it work, i.e. was it enough? Like PMR - you need what you need.

"Allowed" isn't the right word - the rhuemy INSISTED! lol

I believe it's a fairly normal dose post MTX.  Even with that dose my liver is still very unhappy.

Not sure that folic acid helps the liver aspects does it - it is primarily for the mouth ulcers.

I was also going to say it is a normal sort of dose along with mtx, I've come across higher doses.

Just FYI, Here's the speil on Folate deficiency, which is the side effect of MXT:

Some symptoms caused by folate deficiency include:

anemia (decreased number of red blood cells)

nausea

vomiting

stomach pain

diarrhea

liver problems

stomatitis (mouth sores)

My rhuemy has only ever been concerned about the liver - and has still said I can have a couple of drinks occassionally. (he didn't specify what size though!) lol

Ta - gratefully received.

My friend in Scotland is on mtx and her doctor says she may have the odd drink too. Others insist on total temperance. Seems to vary a lot.

Thats good Dan. Perhaps i should never have taken the methaxatrate too from the beginning and just stuck to prendisone.

You can't look back and think "what if"..... You do what you can at the time to make your life more bearable. And PMR is horrible to live with day in and day out. It drags you down, you do anything to make yourself feel better.

Can i ask who you see as i know you live in Canberra are their any goid rheummy down there?

My Dr's name is Suran Jayaweera. Consults out of ACT Rhuematology. He's just moved here from Sydney - I had to have my initial consultation with him in Sydney - it was worth the 6 hour return trip! I really like him and he's very competant. I was so very sick when I first saw him and just over a year later I feel aout 90% most of the time. First thing he did was put me on MTX, then on Actemra. I went from 20mg pred to (currently) 5mg.

 

Did your dr advise you the risks of Actermra? And have you had any side effects from methotrexate? Are your esr and cpk normal now

Every drug has risks - Actemra is used in RA and (now) in GCA and in both cases, the benefits outweigh the potential risks. Whether they will come to the same conclusions for PMR is another matter, that hasn't come into the arena yet.

Whether Flip or anyone else had side-effects with mtx doesn't have any bearing for you - you have to try it to find out. I have a friend who takes it and has absolutely no problems at all - she even has the occasional drink with the blessing of her rheumy. There are others who use it without problems - the bottom line is that you have to try: if it helps and you have no side effects that is great. But nothing ventured, nothing gained. The only thing I would say - I don't know about Flip - is that if you are good at a low dose of pred (under about 8mg) I wouldn't agree to add in mtx without VERY good reasons.

Yes, I was advised - and I did my own (Dr Google) research.

I've had no side effects from the Actemra that I am aware of.... MXT has affected my liver, but it's not bad enough to stop taking it.

ESR was always 'normal', and CRP went down for the first time in 2 years after 6 weeks on Actemra. I've had a break from Actemra while the Govt sorts out my prescription and my CRP has gone straight back up to where it was prior to starting Actemra. And I feel like crap again!

So in a nutshell, Actemra is fabulous!

Thanks for that information. I have been away for work overseas just got back. Was so sick whilst away with brochitis I have stopped the methotrexate on my own accord. Seeing the rheummy tomorrow with the bio treatment. Let you know how it goes.

please do, I'm interested to hear what your dr has to say compared to what mine tells me!