1. < Autoimmune Diseases

Methotrexate and Hydroxychloroquine

Posted by mcc @mcc, Jun 10 7:39pm

I have been trying to taper off Methotrexate but I keep getting flare ups after a couple weeks on the drop so my rheumatologist feels I should add Hydroxychloroquine to the mix for 8-12 weeks then try tapering off the methotrexate again with the goal of being completely off the methotrexate but stay on the hydroxychloroquine. I hate having to be on any medication let alone having to add more to the mix and was wondering if anyone on here has had experience with this and if so , your results? Thank you

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catartist | @catartist | Sep 14 10:50am
In reply to @reets70 "It sounds to me like PMR. (Polymyalgia Rheumatica).have your CRP level checked by rheumatologist. I have..." + (show)
@reets70

It sounds to me like PMR. (Polymyalgia Rheumatica).have your CRP level checked by rheumatologist. I have had it and it caused havoc with me for months. I’m having a relapse now and back on prednisone. It is the only thing that takes away the pain.

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So true about prednisone! I had one - then RA and been on some amt of prednisone for 35 years. Gave me my active life ( always with some pain still). But my body is SO addicted I can’t get below 5…. And I am suffering from muscular atrophy and loss. Muscles just pop and ‘die’. Mobility more and more an issue. Active life is over (78 now). Careful of Steroid!

REPLY
1 reply
kc8591 | @kc8591 | Sep 14 8:04pm
In reply to @jessmarin "Hi! I have been diagnosed with Mixed Connective Tissues Desease 3 months ago and my doctor..." + (show)
@jessmarin

Hi! I have been diagnosed with Mixed Connective Tissues Desease 3 months ago and my doctor prescribed me first Hydroxicloroquine and later Methotrexate but I am still have pain!! I am not sure it is normal!? . I have pain in my joints and muscles from my legs and arms. It seems medication haven’t made any improvements because I have a lot of pain! It is gonna be 4 months now taking these medication and feeling the same like before! Some days more pain than others

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Yes I agree, you may have been Misdiagnosed? Could be PMR Polymyalgia Rheumatica, see if you can get another opinion.
Prednisone is the only thing that helps the pain if it’s PMR
Good luck!!

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1 reply
jessmarin | @jessmarin | Sep 14 10:32pm
In reply to @reets70 "It sounds to me like PMR. (Polymyalgia Rheumatica).have your CRP level checked by rheumatologist. I have..." + (show)
@reets70

It sounds to me like PMR. (Polymyalgia Rheumatica).have your CRP level checked by rheumatologist. I have had it and it caused havoc with me for months. I’m having a relapse now and back on prednisone. It is the only thing that takes away the pain.

Jump to this post

Thank you! I appreciate your reply. I will consult my specialist about that!

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jessmarin | @jessmarin | Sep 14 10:34pm
In reply to @kc8591 "Yes I agree, you may have been Misdiagnosed? Could be PMR Polymyalgia Rheumatica, see if you..." + (show)
@kc8591

Yes I agree, you may have been Misdiagnosed? Could be PMR Polymyalgia Rheumatica, see if you can get another opinion.
Prednisone is the only thing that helps the pain if it’s PMR
Good luck!!

Jump to this post

Thank you! I will take in mind about that and I appreciate your comment!

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tabuschlen | @tabuschlen | Sep 15 8:36am
In reply to @catartist "So true about prednisone! I had one - then RA and been on some amt of..." + (show)
@catartist

So true about prednisone! I had one - then RA and been on some amt of prednisone for 35 years. Gave me my active life ( always with some pain still). But my body is SO addicted I can’t get below 5…. And I am suffering from muscular atrophy and loss. Muscles just pop and ‘die’. Mobility more and more an issue. Active life is over (78 now). Careful of Steroid!

Jump to this post

I have steroid sensitivity, I have had good results with hmb that the body builders take. Worth looking into. ..

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kstar077 | @kstar077 | Sep 15 10:55am
In reply to @jessmarin "Hi! I have been diagnosed with Mixed Connective Tissues Desease 3 months ago and my doctor..." + (show)
@jessmarin

Hi! I have been diagnosed with Mixed Connective Tissues Desease 3 months ago and my doctor prescribed me first Hydroxicloroquine and later Methotrexate but I am still have pain!! I am not sure it is normal!? . I have pain in my joints and muscles from my legs and arms. It seems medication haven’t made any improvements because I have a lot of pain! It is gonna be 4 months now taking these medication and feeling the same like before! Some days more pain than others

Jump to this post

I had swollen hands and ankles. Almost 2 years ago. My dr. Put me on prednisone. All swelling went away almost immediately. My pain went away too. Methetrixate and plaquenil was slowly added to the mix and I was weaned off prednisone. I have to continue on plaquenil and Methetrixate indefinitely unless my kidneys and liver are compromised. I have blood work once a month and check my eyes every 6 months. I am super healthy now and pain free and my body is not swelling. My RA seems non existent. I eat well. No meat and take nutrafol for my hair. I use elyptical 30 minutes a day and stretch my body when I wake up in morning. So far I am doing well and I will continue on my regiment. If you are still in pain have your doctor try something new. Good luck.

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deborahyost3 | @deborahyost3 | Sep 16 8:55am

I have not yet been on methotrexate. I have been on hydroxychloroquine for 5 years now. Get the eye test every year to make sure it's not bothering my retinas.
I feel like hydroxychloroquine helps keep my disease manageable. It's definitely better on it than not on it and I have no side effects. My body tolerates it really well. I have recently added imuran which is an immunosuppressant dmard and the jury's out if I'm going to stay on that or not. Anyway, I like the hydroxychloroquine and I think it helps.
Good luck!

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1 reply
mcc | @mcc | Sep 16 6:04pm
In reply to @deborahyost3 "I have not yet been on methotrexate. I have been on hydroxychloroquine for 5 years now...." + (show)
@deborahyost3

I have not yet been on methotrexate. I have been on hydroxychloroquine for 5 years now. Get the eye test every year to make sure it's not bothering my retinas.
I feel like hydroxychloroquine helps keep my disease manageable. It's definitely better on it than not on it and I have no side effects. My body tolerates it really well. I have recently added imuran which is an immunosuppressant dmard and the jury's out if I'm going to stay on that or not. Anyway, I like the hydroxychloroquine and I think it helps.
Good luck!

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Thank you for your response.

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susanjc8 | @susanjc8 | Sep 21 7:01am
In reply to @reets70 "I Have been taking hydroxychloroquine for 18 years and I have never had any negative effects..." + (show)
@reets70

I
Have been taking hydroxychloroquine for 18 years and I have never had any negative effects from this drug. I was also on methotrexate for five years but it was stopped because I simply didn’t need it any longer. I did have an episode of Polymalagia Rheumatica last year which was the most painful condition I ever had, and it sounds as though you are struggling with it too. Prednisone helped tremendously, but tapered off after six months. I am now suffering with terrible spine issues, and I’m not sure if PMR did its damage or not. Seeing a new neurosurgeon next week.

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I was on Plaquenil for almost 20 years, but ended up with retinal damage. Nothing else seemed to work very well, so was put on methotrexate. Worked much better, but kept having breakthrough flares. My rheumatologist added sulfasalazine, and the two together have made a huge difference. Now, I may only flare every few years!..It has been a godsend. I also take folic acid to help manage side effect. Even my kidney function improved. Just a thought.

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1 reply
mcc | @mcc | Sep 21 7:30am
In reply to @susanjc8 "I was on Plaquenil for almost 20 years, but ended up with retinal damage. Nothing else..." + (show)
@susanjc8

I was on Plaquenil for almost 20 years, but ended up with retinal damage. Nothing else seemed to work very well, so was put on methotrexate. Worked much better, but kept having breakthrough flares. My rheumatologist added sulfasalazine, and the two together have made a huge difference. Now, I may only flare every few years!..It has been a godsend. I also take folic acid to help manage side effect. Even my kidney function improved. Just a thought.

Jump to this post

Thank you for your reply. Do you notice any side effects from this combination? I get very fatigued and brain fog but as I’m beginning to understand, this could also be from RA and not just the medication.

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