Posted , 6 users are following.
I would like to get off the MTX but my doctor told me that when taking Oriencia ( Abatacept) and MTX together that it makes Oriencia work better. Has anybody's doctor told them this and also who is on Oriencia and not talking MTX?
0 likes, 8 replies
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barbara58180 jo66120
Posted
I use both. This is my second round of it. I did it first as infusions, and it worked! I felt good- just ended up with too many infections.
But im back on it, because I am hardly working, and doing it with the Clickjest- at home injections.
Still waiting. . . . But your doctor is probably right.
Good luck just remember, everything doesn't work for everyone, it took 6 months for ie too work the first time, and I did Rituxan for 6 months -- and no help at all.
JLADY99 jo66120
Posted
mary76396 jo66120
Posted
I have not been on Orencia but I'm on Actemra and 20mg of MTX. Since taking the Actemra I've felt much better with hardly any pain. I just saw my rheumatologist and She has asked me to stop the MTX because of liver problems but says Actemra will work without it. I hope this is true as I really hate MTX. Hope it goes well for you.
twinnie0102 jo66120
Posted
I don't take mtx as it increased my liver function (as did all the others) - it was my 1st med, Abatacept is my 7th and self injections - currently I have only taken it for 2 months and have been advised it can take months as it's very slow and doesn't go through the liver which I have to watch for
carol303055 jo66120
Posted
Hi Jo, I was on a biologic (Benepali) and methotrexate which controlled my symptoms well. However, I had to stop methotrexate due to lung fibrosis and also the Benepali due to underlying chest infections. I took prednisolone to control my symptoms in the meantime. I have now restarted the Benepali and I'm reducing the prednisolone. I have said I won't go back on the Methotrexate. The lung problem has been scary and seemed to progress quickly though now improving. As I reduce my prednisolone I am increasingly aware of my joint symptoms. I don't know how I'll cope reducing my steroids further but I won't go back on the methotrexate.This is just my experience though. As everyone keeps saying we are all different. I do understand your concern with these meds. They are pretty toxic but as with most meds it's a risk / benefit decision. Good luck. Carol x
jo66120 carol303055
Posted
carol303055 jo66120
Posted
Hi Jo, of course, I had a 'silly' cough to start with about Jan 2016. I would perhaps thought it was a
'habit' if I had heard it on someone else! But I knew it was real even though my chest was 'clear' and nothing showed on x ray. I had also had a nasty chest infection and lots of antibiotics but the 'silly' cough had started before and persisted after the chest infection. I spoke to a respiratory nurse friend and to cut a long story short a CT lung scan showed some fibrosis. This was about June 2016. It was unclear if it was due to the methotrexate or the chest infection I'd had. 6 months later, Jan this year, CT scan showed significant deterioration. I was coughing a lot more but not 'productive' I was becoming increasingly breathless. My methotrexate was stopped there and then by the respiratory consultant with a plan for a bronchoscopy to look if there was any underlying infection. There was so I had to stop my Benepali as well. I wasn't to resume it till I had negative sputums. Difficult when you're not coughing anything up! Anyway, 4 more lots of antibiotics later and steroids for both the chest and joints, I restarted the Benepali and I'm now down to 7.5mgs prednisolone and paracetamol if needed. So far, not too bad. Don't know how I'll be when I reduce it more but I won't restart the Methotrexate. It frightened me. My latest CT lung is showing improvement and my cough loads better. Yeah!!! My respiratory consultant , said the fibrosis could have been due to the methotrexate or a combination of it with the infection. I also had lung function tests which have provided supporting information. I am just so glad I pursued it. I knew I 'wasn't right.' All consultants have been brilliant, they communicated with each other, the radiologist and me. I am so grateful to them and our amazing NHS. Hope I've not bored you rigid! Carol x
jo66120 carol303055
Posted
Ht Carol, thank you so much for the information. It seems that when Itake my MTX I do an extremely small amount of coughing, not coughing constantly, just a little here and there and then after about 3 days it stops. I was wondering if the MTX was causing it, hmm, I think I will pay closer attention. Sounds like u are on the mend and you will be able to get off the Pred. I was on Pred. for 4 years and finally got off, hope I don't have to take it again. Take care, jo