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Methotrexate, should I shouldn't I?

Posted , 12 users are following.

Judyg
Judyg

hello, have been taking high dose predniolone for 3 plus months now, the rheumatologist keen for me to start methotrexate, and I am very concerned with what I've read regarding this drug.  Does anyone have anything positive to say about it and GCA.

i do tend to react badly to drugs.

very fed up in need of advise.

 

0 likes, 22 replies

22 Replies

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  • DebbieHurts
    DebbieHurts Judyg

    Posted

    The dr took me off MTX after 3 months on it.  I did notice more sick feelings in my whole body on MTX; I was really wiped out most of the week.  The only good thing was that the pmr pain of my ankles lessened.  Otherwise I was still as achy as I had been with added feeling of illness, almost like I was sick with cancer or something (my imagination).  Now I'm just on Pred at 18mg and that is too high for the dr, yet every time I try so hard to reduce it, I get flare-ups.  I'm a walking pulsating pain machine!
    • Judyg
      Judyg DebbieHurts

      Posted

      Hi Debbie, hope you are feeling a little better off MTX, clearly it didn't suit you,. Some of us are ultra sensitive to meds which is a b nuisance when they are necessary.  

      Im still undecided, have till mid Jan.

      take care be well.

  • FlipDover_Aust
    FlipDover_Aust Judyg

    Posted

    Thanks for your post - it's very timely! I just took my first dose of methotrexate so we will see how that goes over the next few days. My rheumatologist (saw him for the first time last Thursday) thinks the pred is making me sicker than the PMR so I need to reduce it quite dramatically - that is what the MXT is to help with. I was on 20mg of pred and feeling like crap. Brain fog, depression, stiffness, lethargy, awful stuff. Down to 15mg today and feeling better already. Who would have thunk it? Lol

    He also thinks I might have fibromyalgia so I've started on lyrica as well.

    • Judyg
      Judyg FlipDover_Aust

      Posted

      hello, the prednisolone awful with me too, will be interested to hear how you go on the MTX.
  • lynda38618
    lynda38618 Judyg

    Posted

    I was diagnosed in October this year. I had horrid flares that left me house- bound and I noble to do much. I was misdiagnosed for 4-5 months because my ESR  blood test pew as negative. I have had no flares since Oct. I was on Prednisone 30 mg daily from October until Dec. 9 th when I  started  15 mg weekly of MTX and I then started weekly lowering the Prednisone dose to eliminate that drug. I split my MTX dose 1/2 AM 1/2 PM on a full stomach also Folic Acid daily. I cannot  imagine gambling on NOT taking meds and having a Flare so I will continue with my MTX. When I think of the degree of pain I experienced no thanks. I am a retired RN so yes I understand the seriousness of Methotrexate. I see some hair loss, minor indigestion and some headaches. I am hoping the hair loss  is from the Prednisone which takes months to clear from the  body system. Good luck. 

     

    • Judyg
      Judyg lynda38618

      Posted

      Thanks for the input. I'll get back to you.
  • lynda38618
    lynda38618 Judyg

    Posted

    I note I have some typos sorry I am watching football. 
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