New to this - Methotrexate - Doc has prescribed it for me for PsA - I'm Worried

Hi. There. I'm 37 and was diagnosed the same with scalp and joint probs also i had patches of psoriasis all over my body . im on 15 mg of methotrexate once a week but i have started injecting humera in an epi pen been on that now for 3 months and the combination has cleared most of my psoriasis and helping my joints no end. It takes time but for me worthwhile. Make sure that you have regular blood tests with. The methotrexate as it can play about with your liver enzymes.

Hope this helps thanks dave

Hi Stacy, what you've described does seem pretty typical of PsA, but don't worry about the methotrexate as you bloods will be monitored and you'll have regular check ups with your rheumy to make sure it is helping. It is important to start meds early to help prevent future and further damage, but many sufferers have differing extremes of symptoms. I'm 37 and have been on mxt for just over twelve months, but the first six months i didn't  feel that it helped. Now I'm on 8 mxt tablets once a week, and 4 sulfasalazine a day and I'm finally starting to feel some relief.

You may still have to take the anti-inflammitories for any pain, but it will be about finding a combination that works for you. And definitely try and stay active, just don't overdo it if you suffer a joint flare up. 

The only real issue I've found with methotrexate is the stomach upsets and nausea, eat carefully around dosing days and cut out anything that normally gives you problems. I've only recently realised that potatoes in any form are causing bloating and nausea, but for the last two weeks I've felt great without them.

Hope you feel better soon.

You sound similar to me, I was diagnosed with only 2 fingers affected. I was given methotrexate and I thought it was a bit extreme and was worried about taking it. Unfortunately mtx did not work for me and so my disease has now progressed and affects many joints. I have now started on another drug and am waiting in the hope that this one works. My point being that with no drugs or a drug that doesn't work this disease progresses quickly so take any chance to stop it in its tracks. I hope mtx works for you, good luck.

 

Hi stacy i had to start with methotrexate with my joint pain but the humera injection is more for the psoriasis but will help with the joints aswell .

I had no problems on methotrexate, in fact the bad scaling dandruff totally went away... lol I guess all these years I had psoriasis! My worst is the pain in my pelvis, hips and low back. I’m taking methotrexate with prednisone and went from 15mg up to 20mg after a few months. I avoid alcohol for three days after my dosing on Sunday and went up to daily folate. Truthfully I was scared to death of taking it but it worked really pretty well on my skin symptoms. I’m just starting Humera, just hoping this works for the pain.