Question re: methrotrexate

[itssue]

I've been off the boards for awhile and boy do we have lots of new faces.    That is great!!!!

My rheumy has suggested that I go on methrotrexate,  I am on plaquenil at this time and have been for more than 2 years.  I have been having alot of trouble with my eyes, especially the rt. eye. That is the main reason I have been away from the boards.  I've had recurring corneal abrasions and now an erosion.  My ophthalmologist has been treating this last one for 4 wks now with antibiotics and anti-inflammatories.  I am a steroid responder, so I can not have steroids in my eye.  He is leaving the decision regarding methrotrexate between me and my rheumy. 

I trust my rheumy, she is one of the best in this area, but I'm still concerned about taking it.  Are any of you on it and how has it helped or has it, and what about side effects.  I know we are all different in how we react, but I just would like to hear from some of you.  Thanks.

Hugs,
Sue

[Linda196]

Sue, I've been taking Methotrexate for over 5 years, the first year as an oral med, and since then by injection. I take 20 mg once a week, and have had no side effects, although the first while I thought I felt a but "fluish" for a day or so after the dose...I missed a dose one week, and still felt the same for the next day, so I realized I was more or less giving myself permission to have a bad day, and blaming the MTX!

I'm also taking Plaquenil and Prednisone, so I can't say that any one has caused my gradual improvement, I'm pretty sure it's the combination that's helping. I have blood work done every 2 months to check liver and kidney function, but other than that, I've found it to be a well tolerated medication.

As you said, we each react in our own unique way, and this is just my experience with MTX.

[Joe S.]

I tried Methotrexate several times. Each time I ended up in the emergency room with white poop and other issues.

[eyeamdry]

I've been on MTX and plaquenil for two years with no problem.  Lucy

[Lynne]

Hi Sue

I'm a newbie but I can relate my experience with methotrexate.  My rheumy put me on it right after I was diagnosed in December 2008 because Pacquenil made me sick.  I was on metho for six months.  I had no problems with it after I got past the idea of self-injecting.  Then I developed a chronic cough and my rheumy took me off the metho because he said the cough was a side effect.  Now I'm only on Celebrex and Lyrica and I don't think I'm doing as well as when I was on the metho.  I didn't like the cough but my fatigue issues are getting worse being off of it.

Let me know how you do on the methotrexate.  Good luck.

Lynne