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Using methotrexate with PMR
My husband, 72yo, was diagnosed with PMR in March of 2024. He had rather severe symptoms...couldn't get out of chair and pain in neck and shoulders and fatigue. He was prescribed prednisone and tapered to 1 mg over 3 months. At this point was pretty much symptom free. He has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and saw his cardiologist who told him to stop any prednisone immediately and see a rheumatologist for alternate medication. Blood work for inflammation is elevated but not extreme. He is experiencing symptoms but not as limiting. Rheumatologist is prescribing him methotrexate 10 mg going to 15mg in 2 weeks. He's afraid to take this medication because of side effects yet wants to avoid getting GCA. Anyone have experience with methotrexate therapy for PMR?
Thank you!
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People differ as to how these drugs affect them. Some classic problems with prednisone are high blood pressure, high blood sugar and bone loss. I have not had any of these issues with prednisone. Some classic problems with methotrexate are nausea and high liver enzymes. I got both of those. Kevzara can cause high cholesterol. I got that. I go over my labs online and follow the changes. I mentally assess how each drug is helping or not helping. It's a balancing act between costs and benefits and not a cookie-cutter thing. So far I have tried the drugs my doctor recommended and don't regret it, though I will soon be back to prednisone alone.