1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

PMR and Methotrexate

Posted by paulinef @paulinef, Mar 15, 2018

I have been on prednisone for about a year and am finally down to a daily 7 mg dose. However, still feeling some stiffness and my rheumatologist has suggested a couple of times that I could could also go on Methotrexate. I'm reluctant to take yet another medication though so am wondering if anyone else has tried Methotrexate and if it helped lessen the PMR symptoms.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Support Group.

prestol | @prestol | Nov 1 9:00am
In reply to @marilyncarkner "I am in year 5 of my PMR battle. Currently on 12.5 alternating to 10 daily..." + (show)
@marilyncarkner

I am in year 5 of my PMR battle. Currently on 12.5 alternating to 10 daily of Pred.My Rheuny put me on Methlytrexate last May( mg 25 ) once a week. I really think it has helped . I t took a few months to kick in but now having usual senior osteo stiffness but not much more.

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I am curious about whether people’s rheumatologists suspect RA in addition to PMR when Methotrexate is used. That is my situation, because I have a lot of stiffness and some hand pain. My rheumatoid factor labs were negative when I was diagnosed with PMR last January, and it would not be helpful to recheck them now, she says. Not sure why.

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jfannarbor | @jfannarbor | Nov 1 10:27am
In reply to @gsm1 "I have been taking methotrexate for about 6 months and it greatly helped to reduce Prednisone..." + (show)
@gsm1

I have been taking methotrexate for about 6 months and it greatly helped to reduce Prednisone from 15 to 5 .However my kidney markers were getting bad so my rummy had me stop the methotrexate and for now just slowly reduce my Prednisone 1mg monthly to see what happens. There are about 3 markers for kidney functions so be sure your doctor is checking.

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Has anyone suggested Kevzara since I am sure you have tried many drugs to treat PMR. That is what my rheumatologist is trying after hydrochloroqin and then sulfasalazine. Both of these drugs have side effects. I realize that Kevzara has side effects and would like to hear of others who have taken it. I am also on prednisone and have been on and off that for years.

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2 replies
gsm1 | @gsm1 | Nov 1 12:27pm
In reply to @jfannarbor "Has anyone suggested Kevzara since I am sure you have tried many drugs to treat PMR...." + (show)
@jfannarbor

Has anyone suggested Kevzara since I am sure you have tried many drugs to treat PMR. That is what my rheumatologist is trying after hydrochloroqin and then sulfasalazine. Both of these drugs have side effects. I realize that Kevzara has side effects and would like to hear of others who have taken it. I am also on prednisone and have been on and off that for years.

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I have been o suflasalzine for about a year and a half. 2 tablets twice daily on a full stomache. I think it helped me along with the Prednisone.

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karo89135 | @karo89135 | Nov 1 3:39pm
In reply to @jfannarbor "Has anyone suggested Kevzara since I am sure you have tried many drugs to treat PMR...." + (show)
@jfannarbor

Has anyone suggested Kevzara since I am sure you have tried many drugs to treat PMR. That is what my rheumatologist is trying after hydrochloroqin and then sulfasalazine. Both of these drugs have side effects. I realize that Kevzara has side effects and would like to hear of others who have taken it. I am also on prednisone and have been on and off that for years.

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Hi JF,
I did try Kevzara autoinject. Had immediate chest pain but really was skin reacting with itchy skin eruptions. My hand pain was called palendromic pmr. Tried Kevzara once more and had horrible headaches. Prior to this I had 5 injections of Methotrexate with other side effects. It is not approved for PMR but rheumatologist seem to lump the two diseases together even without positive labs. I must say my hand cramps and aches improved so will see what comes next. I have never been offered any of the other medications I see here.
Good luck to you!
Karo

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rl24 | @rl24 | Nov 2 1:54pm
In reply to @prestol "I also have been on Methotrexate for three months, taking 20 mg all in one dose..." + (show)
@prestol

I also have been on Methotrexate for three months, taking 20 mg all in one dose at bedtime. About two weeks ago I started feeling a definite improvement in PMR pain level, although OA pain is very much still with me. My rheumatologist has me taking one mg folic acid every day, although my pharmacist says it should not be taken on the Methotrexate day. Does anyone have feedback on this?

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I am taking Folic Acid too - everyday. I will have to check on whether I should be taking on Metho day.

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kareena | @kareena | 23 hours ago
In reply to @missy3134 "Thank you for sharing that study. I found it very interesting. I was diagnosed with PMR..." + (show)
@missy3134

Thank you for sharing that study. I found it very interesting. I was diagnosed with PMR in August 2021. I started on 20 mg Prednisone. As I was tapering my Dr prescribed Methotrexate which I started taking in October 2022. I am currently down to 3 mg Prednisone. I am in pain at night and in the morning. I have trouble getting in and out of the car but I go to an exercise class twice a week doing what I can. I also walk for 45 to 60 minutes a couple times a week. I don’t move like I used to because I am in some pain but I feel it’s important to move. I do suffer from fatigue and frequently take naps. I have often wondered if methotrexate has helped me get down to 3mg of Prednisone. It most likely has. I take methotrexate with food in the morning (once a week) along with prednisone, folic acid and calcium. This support group is awesome.

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I am 72. My PMR turned into Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Two months after I went off the PMR, my C Reactive Protein went up again and my rheumatologist sent me to Vancouver to get a special scan of my blood vessels.

The rheumotologist said he thought it was rheumatoid arthritis. All the scan showed was that I had some inflammation.

I started on Methotrexate. It has reduced the swelling around my joints and I can walk better. It also took care of a rash I had which was in the end was psoriasis.

My problem is that with all that has happened, it has affected my emotional well being. I am not motivated to do anything the last months.

I have been in a 12 Step fellowship for 24 years.

I have a Higher Power and I do believe that things happen “for us and not to us.”

I live alone. I am on a fixed income because of my divorce as he lied and stole.

I still do everything for my program every day. It’s just the joy is gone.

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