Posted , 7 users are following.
I have read lots of times on this forum, that people seem to think that mxt can help to taper off pred, my doctors have never told me this is the reason for me to use it.
As i have said i take it for the pain from RA.
0 likes, 9 replies
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EileenH margaret22251
Posted
You are taking it for RA - it is what is called a DMARD, a disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug - and it slows the progression of the joint damage so common in RA. It is the first-line treatment for RA all over the world and has been for many years. There are biologics that do work slightly better but they tend to be kept in reserve in case you stop responding to the drugs on the start of the list and they are very much more expensive as well as having potentially unpleasant adverse effects (like all drugs). About a third of patients find the side effects of mtx too much (nausea and "mtx flu" just after taking it, and hair loss are common). It doesn't work for everyone.
Do I gather you don't find it particularly helpul for the PMR?
margaret22251 EileenH
Posted
Hello Eileen, yes I don't think it is helpful with pmr, I get very bad pains in neck, shoulders etc, but my RA is under control I have less pain. I have never been nausea. or had flu like symtems, but I get a lot of bruising and painful legs. Also at the moment my concern is the nodules on my lungs, until I see a lung specialist I won't know.
i will stop using it if this is the cause.
also I get a lot of temple pain which is pmr, fingers crossed at the moment I am doing well, reducing from ten mg to eight using dsns method.
also my white blood cells are causing problems , but have been told this is nothing to do with mtx.
EileenH margaret22251
Posted
Interesting - when I told the rheumy mtx made me bruise (I'm on pred AND anticoagulant therapy and rarely bruise) he was surprised.
What's up with the white cells? If they are low - yes it is a recognised effect of methotrexate.
margaret22251 EileenH
Posted
The doctor did not say, but said my red blood cell was above range, if that's so about the white cells should I be on it.?
Mrs_Hobbles margaret22251
Posted
"also I get a lot of temple pain which is pmr,"
How long have you had temple pain? This isn't a symptom of PMR but more of GCA! If your White blood cell count is high, this could coincide! Should ask your GP to tell you what your WBC is and tell her about the temple pain, maybe sooner rather than later.
margaret22251 Mrs_Hobbles
Posted
twice I been to hospital , once kept in all night at Huddersfield in a tiny room waiting to see a doctor, it wS twelve lunch time next day, only to be told as long as you have a pulse in that area you are fine, and was sent home with a flea in my ear.
EileenH margaret22251
Posted
" as long as you have a pulse in that area you are fine"
What tripe - the danger area is NOT anything going on in the temple but inside, towards the back of the brain. One of the reasons for the TAB being negative is because the GCA isn't affecting the temporal artery. It is used solely because it is a superficial artery that is easy to get at and you can manage without.
If they believe that a lot of people are likely to end up in trouble. And as for sending a patient who cold have GCA home with a flea in their ear - that is disgusting. But no doubt you breached their targets...
I'm not saying YOU have GCA - though really, that should be borne in mind.
margaret22251 EileenH
Posted
we discuss my pains etc and she has said if I get earache, jaw ache or pain I must see her and she can get me help straight away.
I told her about the incident at the hospital and she thought it was disgusting that a rhymi could treat a patient like that.
i have had this on and off for four years and nobody seems to thinks is of any importance, and I now would not hesitate to go to the a and e ,but our hospital does not understand pmr or gca
Mrs_Hobbles margaret22251
Posted
I'm gobsmacked!! Having a pulse in your temple doesn't prove anything!! Other things need to be taken into account, is your temple tender to touch, is your scalp tender to touch, do you have pressure or blurring of your eye, do you have jaw pain, is your CRP and ESR elevated even if your PMR is under control? I'm not saying you've GCA, but at the very least these things should be looked at and queried! And honestly, sending you home with a flea in your ear, should've been the other way around, cheek of them😡