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.

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nyxygirl | @nyxygirl | Apr 12 1:49pm
In reply to @besmith57 "Thank you so much for your response and all the information. I actually started at 40..." + (show)
@besmith57

Thank you so much for your response and all the information. I actually started at 40 mg from my GP. When the rheumatologist found that out, she immediately put me on 20mg. I thought the prescription was 20 mg a pill, but it was only 10mg. So, dummy me was only taking 10 mg a day. The 40 mg helped my pain immediately. The 10 mg kept the pain away also. I live in the USA. I spent an evening in the ER because it caused terrible eye pain and tearing problems. I saw an ophthalmologist and I guess I am tearing a layer off my retina when I sleep so now, I use daily drops and ointment at night. My flare-up is really affecting my shoulders and starting into my hips. I had blood work done on Tuesday and my markers are still elevated. I am kind of disappointed that my rheumatologist hasn't gotten back to me yet, I had bad osteoporosis that I finally got back to osteopenia so being on steroids is a big problem for me. My osteoporosis was so advanced that the neurosurgeon wasn't sure I was a candidate for a double fusion. I'm not sure about a clinical trial. With my luck, I would get the placebo. LOL I guess I need to get back in contact with my rheumatologist again. I don't think I'm a candidate for methotrexate because I take Prilosec and have an ulcer. I really appreciate all your input.

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I thought of one more thing - search around this site for 'split dose". -- that was the major improvement for me -- maybe try splitting your dose and tapering again .
"My flare-up is really affecting my shoulders and starting into my hips. " - I assume this is how you feel in the morning ? and then you take your 5mg and feel ....any better ? many people keep a spreadsheet or journal of the Prednisone dose and and pain levels throughout the day .

also see this thread that is currently ongoing : https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anyone-tapered-down-as-directed-but-increased-back-up-on-their-own/

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besmith57 | @besmith57 | Apr 12 4:04pm
In reply to @nyxygirl "I thought of one more thing - search around this site for 'split dose". -- that..." + (show)
@nyxygirl

I thought of one more thing - search around this site for 'split dose". -- that was the major improvement for me -- maybe try splitting your dose and tapering again .
"My flare-up is really affecting my shoulders and starting into my hips. " - I assume this is how you feel in the morning ? and then you take your 5mg and feel ....any better ? many people keep a spreadsheet or journal of the Prednisone dose and and pain levels throughout the day .

also see this thread that is currently ongoing : https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anyone-tapered-down-as-directed-but-increased-back-up-on-their-own/

Jump to this post

Thank you for replying My dr told me not to split the dose. I can't remember the reason as she was throwing so much at me at my first appt. My stiffness seems to last all day. My shoulder is hurting pretty badly right now, I'm hoping she gets back to me soon. Of course, the weekend is coming so maybe by Monday hopefully. Thanks, again!

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