1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)
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Does Methotrexate relieve PMR symptoms?

Posted by dvgreenw @dvgreenw, Jul 30 7:51pm

I have had PMR for 3.5 years. Highest dose of prednisone was 15 mg. Tappered to 3 mg and had a flare. Back to 10 mg. Same thing happened again. Tappered again from 10 mg. Same thing. Now I have been off prednisone for a month and I am stiff and my legs are weak. Dr has suggested methotrexate, but side effects sound scary. He wants me off prednisone. Someone have experience with that drug?

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

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wendybfrompgbc | @wendybfrompgbc | Aug 12 2:14pm
In reply to @wendybfrompgbc "I was on methotrexate for 4 years and was told it would help counteract some of..." + (show)
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I was on methotrexate for 4 years and was told it would help counteract some of the issues with Prednisone. NOT I quit when my hair started to fall out by hand fulls, At first thought it was just my hair falling out until I went on line and saw it was happening to others as well.
Thanks to Prednisone I now have osteoarthritis from my neck to my tailbone, thanks to Prednisone for causing my teeth to fracture and crumble.I went off Prednisone in May cold turkey and it is hell . Thanks for not having informed consent as if I did I wouldn't have taken it.

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@wendybfrompgbc

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cecigrakal | @cecigrakal | Aug 16 6:53pm

Hi. Yes, I am currently on Methotrexate after a year on Prednisone. During that year, I broke both of my knees, which my doctors think was caused by the steroid. I started Methotrexate, which took my body some time to adjust to, but I was still really uncomfortable walking.
My physical medicine doctor also prescribed Cymbalta, which is used for aches and pains, in addition to anti-depression. I began to feel so much better. Back to yoga and golf, after three years. I’m happy with the results. I hope this helps you decide.

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margaretwelsh | @margaretwelsh | Sep 15 4:22am

I've had PMR for three and a half years now and each time prednisolone was slowly lowered below 5 mg it came back. Last year I was put on Leflunomide alongside prednisolone but it affected my liver. I started Methotrexate 15 mg tablets 3 months ago alongside prednisolone but symptoms are returning on 3mg. They are now getting me to increase my dose of Methotrexate to 20 mg by injection which will be this Friday so I'll have to see what happens but I'm not convinced Methotrexate is actually working. I'm 66 years old and PMR seemed to come on very quickly.

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n1234 | @n1234 | Sep 16 6:42am
In reply to @margaretwelsh "I've had PMR for three and a half years now and each time prednisolone was slowly..." + (show)
Profile picture for margaretwelsh @margaretwelsh

I've had PMR for three and a half years now and each time prednisolone was slowly lowered below 5 mg it came back. Last year I was put on Leflunomide alongside prednisolone but it affected my liver. I started Methotrexate 15 mg tablets 3 months ago alongside prednisolone but symptoms are returning on 3mg. They are now getting me to increase my dose of Methotrexate to 20 mg by injection which will be this Friday so I'll have to see what happens but I'm not convinced Methotrexate is actually working. I'm 66 years old and PMR seemed to come on very quickly.

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@margaretwelsh
Hello. I was diagnosed with PMR and Prednisone was prescribed. After taking it for about a month and reading about the possible side effects, I asked the rheumatologist to taper me off and to prescribe something else.

She prescribed 15mgs of Metotrexate weekly which was increased to 20mgs. Although I am not totally pain free, I am 85%-90% better than I was in March.

I wish you all the best as you navigate your journey.

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margaretwelsh | @margaretwelsh | Sep 16 8:02am
In reply to @n1234 "@margaretwelsh Hello. I was diagnosed with PMR and Prednisone was prescribed. After taking it for about..." + (show)
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@margaretwelsh
Hello. I was diagnosed with PMR and Prednisone was prescribed. After taking it for about a month and reading about the possible side effects, I asked the rheumatologist to taper me off and to prescribe something else.

She prescribed 15mgs of Metotrexate weekly which was increased to 20mgs. Although I am not totally pain free, I am 85%-90% better than I was in March.

I wish you all the best as you navigate your journey.

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@n1234
Thanks for that sharing that with me, it's given me some hope.

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n1234 | @n1234 | Sep 16 9:10am
In reply to @margaretwelsh "@n1234 Thanks for that sharing that with me, it's given me some hope." + (show)
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@n1234
Thanks for that sharing that with me, it's given me some hope.

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@margaretwelsh

I have found that we need to be our advocates and that each person’s journey is different. I was terrified when I learned about the long term effects of Prednisone so I looked for other options.

I pray that you find relief with Methotrexate. I go for frequent blood test to monitor my liver, kidney, and RBC count. So far, so good.

Best wishes to you. Remain hopeful!!

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ga29 | @ga29 | Sep 16 12:55pm
In reply to @margaretwelsh "@n1234 Thanks for that sharing that with me, it's given me some hope." + (show)
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@n1234
Thanks for that sharing that with me, it's given me some hope.

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@margaretwelsh @n1234
I appreciate your comments. I was on 8mg. Prednisolone since January’26, when I had a bilateral insufficiency fracture of sacrum the end of April, caused by that and my osteopenia; ct scans and a recent X-ray shows I now have what radiologist calls chronic fracture of pubis rami and tendinosis in my hips, from what I read can be caused by injury. The rheumatologist did encourage me to start on osteoporosis drugs when he gave me the steroids, but I was afraid of the side effects. If only I had fully realized the dangers of steroids I would have put more thought into taking them.
I saw my cardiologist for a follow up appointment after few days ago, after discussing with him what I’ve gone through. He said I didn’t have much choice really- not treating my PMR could have led to blindness. It’s a catch 22, I think?
I’m back to 6 mgs prednisolone, drop to 4mgs was too much. Taking 17.5 mgs methotrexate, and Kevzara every 2 weeks, which makes me feel sick for a few days after.
I don’t feel any better yet.
I’ve had a couple days of feeling better then it comes back.
I see my doctor in 2 weeks, get my bloodwork next week. So far the bloodwork has been okay, some lower readings but he says it’s all fine so far.

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ga29 | @ga29 | Sep 16 1:02pm
In reply to @ga29 "@margaretwelsh @n1234 I appreciate your comments. I was on 8mg. Prednisolone since January’26, when I had..." + (show)
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@margaretwelsh @n1234
I appreciate your comments. I was on 8mg. Prednisolone since January’26, when I had a bilateral insufficiency fracture of sacrum the end of April, caused by that and my osteopenia; ct scans and a recent X-ray shows I now have what radiologist calls chronic fracture of pubis rami and tendinosis in my hips, from what I read can be caused by injury. The rheumatologist did encourage me to start on osteoporosis drugs when he gave me the steroids, but I was afraid of the side effects. If only I had fully realized the dangers of steroids I would have put more thought into taking them.
I saw my cardiologist for a follow up appointment after few days ago, after discussing with him what I’ve gone through. He said I didn’t have much choice really- not treating my PMR could have led to blindness. It’s a catch 22, I think?
I’m back to 6 mgs prednisolone, drop to 4mgs was too much. Taking 17.5 mgs methotrexate, and Kevzara every 2 weeks, which makes me feel sick for a few days after.
I don’t feel any better yet.
I’ve had a couple days of feeling better then it comes back.
I see my doctor in 2 weeks, get my bloodwork next week. So far the bloodwork has been okay, some lower readings but he says it’s all fine so far.

Jump to this post

@ga29
Should mention I started Prolia, for maintenance of bones. Evinity, which builds bones, was not advised as I had what they think was a Tia in January ‘25. The cardiologist last week says my loss of vision for a few minutes may have been the beginning of my PMR (originally thought to be a Tia, caused by undiagnosed afib) .

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n1234 | @n1234 | Sep 16 2:13pm
In reply to @ga29 "@margaretwelsh @n1234 I appreciate your comments. I was on 8mg. Prednisolone since January’26, when I had..." + (show)
Profile picture for ga29 @ga29

@margaretwelsh @n1234
I appreciate your comments. I was on 8mg. Prednisolone since January’26, when I had a bilateral insufficiency fracture of sacrum the end of April, caused by that and my osteopenia; ct scans and a recent X-ray shows I now have what radiologist calls chronic fracture of pubis rami and tendinosis in my hips, from what I read can be caused by injury. The rheumatologist did encourage me to start on osteoporosis drugs when he gave me the steroids, but I was afraid of the side effects. If only I had fully realized the dangers of steroids I would have put more thought into taking them.
I saw my cardiologist for a follow up appointment after few days ago, after discussing with him what I’ve gone through. He said I didn’t have much choice really- not treating my PMR could have led to blindness. It’s a catch 22, I think?
I’m back to 6 mgs prednisolone, drop to 4mgs was too much. Taking 17.5 mgs methotrexate, and Kevzara every 2 weeks, which makes me feel sick for a few days after.
I don’t feel any better yet.
I’ve had a couple days of feeling better then it comes back.
I see my doctor in 2 weeks, get my bloodwork next week. So far the bloodwork has been okay, some lower readings but he says it’s all fine so far.

Jump to this post

@ga29

I wish you the best. I am 56 with no other health issues. PMR really hit me out of nowhere and overnight.

My prayers to you!!

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abbydog14 | @abbydog14 | Sep 16 5:39pm

I have been on Methylprednisolone for 2 years and I am at 4mg . Whenever I go below the 4 I flare . My new rheumatologist wants to try Methoxatrate but I do not like the mouth sore side effect . Has anyone had this issue?
Diana

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