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← Return to PMR and Methotrexate
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I am approaching my 2 year anniversary of being on Prednisone and am down to 3 mg. We added MTX almost immediately and I heartily endorse it. Not only has it allowed me to taper more quickly but the number and severity of a few flares have been significantly reduced. Most of the negative stories you hear about MTX are from gastro problems which are completely eliminated if you self inject once a week. My only side effect is a bit of fatigue for 24 hours after the injection which you can simply plan around in your schedule. Good luck!
Replies to "I am approaching my 2 year anniversary of being on Prednisone and am down to 3..."
Hello! I've been on methotrexate 18 months and prednisone 2 years, and able to taper down now to 4 prednisone.. I take methotrexate orally in low dose because I get eye inflammation from any more than 6-7 of the 2,5 mg methotrexate tabs. Also, word to the wise. Do not take ibuprofen or other nsaids with methotrexate or you will have a dreadful stomach ulcer-like pain... no one warned me.
all that said, the methotrexate has been very helpful.
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I was injecting once a week. I agree that MTX was working and getting me to a lower dose of prednisone. However, I was retching every morning even when I wasn't injecting MTX. My liver enzymes were elevated and making me sick.
I have an aversion to MTX now. I retch as soon as I attempt to put it in my mouth. I won't ever take it again orally or by injection.
I'm glad it works for you and many people say that it does. I think MTX is worth a try. I wish I could take it. My rheumatologist wanted me to try it a second time. I tried but just couldn't do it orally or by injection.