I am in my 4th month on methotrexate. It was very effective at getting me to a lower prednisone dose. I was stuck at 8 mg prednisone for over a year, with multiple flare-ups when I tried to go lower. I easily dropped 1 mg/mo to 5 mg after the methotrexate was added. I hate the side effects, though, and it has caused other problems. The first three weeks on it I had severe nausea, headaches and fatigue. Now I mainly get nausea, mostly off and on for 48 hours after the weekly meth dose. I have had urinary tract infection symptoms since I got on it, but negative urinalysis. My doctor thinks I have a low level infection, my immune system is suppressed too much and he has lowered the meth dose from 12.5 to 10. I also have elevated liver enzymes, which the doctor hopes will go down on the lower dose. I've considered quitting the meth a few times.

It was a long time ago but MTX was helpful for reducing my prednisone dose.

I took MTX for about 12 months until my liver enzymes started to increase. Then the retching started. It was clear my body wasn't going to let me take MTX anymore.

My rheumatologist wanted me to give MTX a second chance. I think I developed an aversion to MTX. The second chance only lasted a few weeks.