Experience with Methotrexate?

Posted by abbeyc @abbeyc, Feb 14, 2022

Hello, I have been on 20 mg of Prednisone for about 2 months and at my next Rheumatologist check-up this week, my doctor is going to talk to me about the option to add Methotrexate on top of the Prednisone. Has anyone tried this? Any success? Any advise? Seems like another strong drug to have to worry about the side effects. Wondering if it's worth it.

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@rashida

@abbeyc - my husband has PMR and he had to take Prednisone. The weaning process was very slow and it took eighteen months for him to wean off it. He had to continue with the weaning process long after his pain was gone.
He is off Prednisone completely now, and has had just one flare up that lasted only two days. He hasn’t had another flare up since 2019.

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I'm down to 5 mg of prednisone --- (detox from 40mg) ---- prednisone for me was a miracle drug but the 'E' on the end of prednisone stands for 'evil ---- no PMR symptoms BUT - I am miserable --- my hips and knees hurt so much -- my mental state, I can't get focused or involved with anything ----- I was doing a attached garage transition to a living area ---- lost all interest -- go back to the doctor next month --------------- my GP is a male / RM doctor is female --- WE are all going to have a talk for a path forward --------- also, while on 40 mg of prednisone, my sugar level hit almost 500 ---- another 'E'

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Currently stepping down on prednisone from 40mg -- down to 5mg and my RA doctor put me on 2.5mg of Methotrexate / 6 tablets every 7 days. She wants to prednisone gone ----- so far -- so good ---- I go back to the RA doctor first of april ---- since the PMR flare up and the heavy dosage of 40 mg of prednisone -- I have lost all interest in other activities -- example, converting a attached garage to a living area - lost all interest --- my hips and knees are in alot of pain ------ so ------------ I hope, hope this all goes away and I can't back to 100% function

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@abbeyc

I have not started Methotrexate - my doctor wants to wait, so I don't know much about it....Sorry. I would ask your doctor. and are you maybe on a high dose? is it for PMR?

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Yes, for PMR. My dose was20mg but down to 25 now.

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@judyjh

Wondering if you are on oral or inject dose? How much? I have no hair loss, and that sounds upsetting! I am sorry to hear

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Oral — now down from 20 mg to 15 once per week. I think the “fallout” has slowed…. Or maybe the hair that’s left is simply “diehard”!

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@wv54

Currently stepping down on prednisone from 40mg -- down to 5mg and my RA doctor put me on 2.5mg of Methotrexate / 6 tablets every 7 days. She wants to prednisone gone ----- so far -- so good ---- I go back to the RA doctor first of april ---- since the PMR flare up and the heavy dosage of 40 mg of prednisone -- I have lost all interest in other activities -- example, converting a attached garage to a living area - lost all interest --- my hips and knees are in alot of pain ------ so ------------ I hope, hope this all goes away and I can't back to 100% function

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Wv-Sounds like you are moving in the right direction. I’m on 7 tablets of methotrexate and 5mg prednisone, and pretty much doing life including exercise ! The blood sugar will get better as prednisone tapers and that should really help. All the best

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@abbeyc

Thank you so much for sharing. Other than needing the folic acid, were you told of any negative side effects from Methotrexate, like hair loss? I'm worried that this is a chemo drug. I will find out more tomorrow when I see my RA doctor.

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No side effects mentioned regarding the Methotrexate

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I have just been prescribed Methotrexate 15mg injection once per week increasing to 20mg injection after one month? anyone using this dose and route? Folic acid was not discussed. Dr wants me off prednisone as i was accidentally left on 35mg per day for 5 mths and after finally getting off prednisone my numbers have been steadily increasing alongside GCA and PMR symptoms .

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8 mg Medrol, 4 pills MTX. Pain in upper torso has intensified in am but generally gone 3-4 hours after prednisone. Who knows. I do want to get off the prednisone though.

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@heatrey

8 mg Medrol, 4 pills MTX. Pain in upper torso has intensified in am but generally gone 3-4 hours after prednisone. Who knows. I do want to get off the prednisone though.

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My understanding is that we need to be pain free In order for the Prednisone taper to work.

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@abbeyc

My understanding is that we need to be pain free In order for the Prednisone taper to work.

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Wow, I never heard that! I was comfortable at 16mg medrol but with reductions have incremental increases in symptoms. Dr added the MTX in hopes of getting me off steroids.

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