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.

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

sandmason | @sandmason | 2 days ago
In reply to @oregongirl "Pauline...I have never been on Prednisone and have been on Methotrexate by injection once a week...." + (show)
@oregongirl

Pauline...I have never been on Prednisone and have been on Methotrexate by injection once a week. I have no idea what Methotrexate is to do. Must be fighting off potential infections. Other than that I don't see how it is benefiting me. I still have terrible pain and could sleep around the clock.

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RheumNow experts online stated that it takes 6 months for MTX to begin helping, and there is little proof that it's effective in PMR.

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sandmason | @sandmason | 2 days ago
In reply to @johnbishop "Hi @queenie2030, Welcome to Connect. You will notice that we moved your post to an existing..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hi @queenie2030, Welcome to Connect. You will notice that we moved your post to an existing discussion on PMR and Methotrexate so that you can meet other members who have used methotrexate that can share their experience with you. Here's some information I found on when to take methotrexate.

"Methotrexate when to take -- Most arthritis patients take methotrexate orally, in a dose consisting of several pills. Some find that splitting the dose eases GI side effects. Take half the pills in the morning and the other half 12 hours later, preferably with food." -- Methotrexate: Managing Side Effects: https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/treatment/treatment-plan/disease-management/methotrexate-managing-side-effects

I know several members have discussed splitting their prednisone dosage for morning and evening also. Have you discussed it with your doctor or pharmacist?

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I listen on YouTube to some top rheums talking about PMR, which they rarely do. One lately, a real pro, said that he recommended splitting the dose, even though many believe it's best not to. I could not get through the night on 20mg and would have had to increase it. Splitting the dose made all the difference, still splitting on 3.5 mg.

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