Methotrexate - opinions please
emma236
Member Posts: 5
I am 27 and have psoriatic arthritis. I took Sulphasalazine for several years, but came off it 2 years ago because of side effects. Since then I've noticed the pain has been worse, and my rheumatologist has recommended Methotrexate. However, I have my reservations and would appreciate hearing from people who've taken it.
My dad takes Methotrexate and finds it helps him. One of my worries is that the leaflets the doctor gave me mention that it can affect fertility. I am not currently trying to get pregnant, but am likely to be in the next couple of years, so this is very important to me.
Previous rheumatologists have all talked of Methotrexate as something of a 'last resort', that they wouldn't normally recommend it for young people because of side effects. While I am having a lot of pain at times, there are also many days I am ok and so I'm not sure I'm severe enough to warrant taking such strong medication.
One of the points my rheumy made was that Methotrexate helps the skin as well, though my psoriasis is not particularly bad, just the odd patch when I'm stressed. Steroids have never worked for me either. I am considering giving the Sulphasalazine another go, as it was helpful before. Currently I just have Naproxen, with the odd paracetamol when it's really bad.
I'd be interested in gauging people's opinions on this, whether I should be worried about going onto Methotrexate or am I just being over cautious?
Thanks!
My dad takes Methotrexate and finds it helps him. One of my worries is that the leaflets the doctor gave me mention that it can affect fertility. I am not currently trying to get pregnant, but am likely to be in the next couple of years, so this is very important to me.
Previous rheumatologists have all talked of Methotrexate as something of a 'last resort', that they wouldn't normally recommend it for young people because of side effects. While I am having a lot of pain at times, there are also many days I am ok and so I'm not sure I'm severe enough to warrant taking such strong medication.
One of the points my rheumy made was that Methotrexate helps the skin as well, though my psoriasis is not particularly bad, just the odd patch when I'm stressed. Steroids have never worked for me either. I am considering giving the Sulphasalazine another go, as it was helpful before. Currently I just have Naproxen, with the odd paracetamol when it's really bad.
I'd be interested in gauging people's opinions on this, whether I should be worried about going onto Methotrexate or am I just being over cautious?
Thanks!
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Previous rheumatologists have all talked of Methotrexate as something of a 'last resort', that they wouldn't normally recommend it for young people because of side effects.
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Hi there, I've ben taking MTX for just over 4 months now having been diagnosed in October last year. At the moment I'm not sure if it is working properly - it may still be too soon to tell as I still take steroids (weaning off at the moment!) but I wanted to let you know that I have been fortunate and not suffered any side effects - except sleeping really deeply on the night I take it which frankly, with two small children is a bonus!
I didn't realise MTX was considered a 'last resort' - in fact my Rheum described it as the 'gold standard' for RA treatment....does that mean I had quite a bad case to be put on it so quickly?!!?
Regarding the toxicity and children bit - my rheum was very careful to warn me not to get pregnant but I wasn't told about any effects on fertility - having said that I think he did ask me whether we planned to have any more.....(I'd love to but DH has other ideas!)
Hope this helps and that you find a treatment that gives you some relief soon.
x0 -
Previous rheumatologists have all talked of Methotrexate as something of a 'last resort', that they wouldn't normally recommend it for young people because of side effects.
ramummy, I too was put on MTX immediately I was diagnosed, which made me think I must have RA really badly! HOWEVER, the latest opinion is to treat early RA agressively to prevent/delay joint damage - not as a last resort
Emma, if you do a search on Methotrexate somewhere in the postings Livinglegend put an excellent link on about it. And it certainly does seem this is the first choice of treatment these days. However, this could also depend on peoples' individual circumstances i.e. I am in my early fifties, so becoming pregnant is not an issue!
Fortunately I, like many others, have not suffered any side-effects, and my inflammation markers are levelling out.
I think you really know in your heart what you want to do - which if I read right is not jeopardise your fertility? If you do start MTX you are probably going to be so uptight and worried that it really might be best to wait until you've started your family anyway.
Good luck and let us know what you decide.
Jackie x0 -
I am 22 and have been on Metx for about 8 weeks now, i was diagnosed with RA around 4 months ago and started off with Sulpha for 2 weeks but my condition got so bad i was hospatalised and started taking meth then. I too was concerned about taking it, i was not warned about the fertility thing just that if i was to think about becoming pregnant i would have to stop taking it way as it could damage unborn babies. i wasnt told it could actually affect fertility though! quite upset ive just heard that. I have been up and down on the meth was ok with no side effects 1st few weeks then felt really bad when increased with nausea and dizzyness genrally feeling unwell had to take anti biotics as my blood count was off. not feeling too bad on it now still feel bit sick sometimes but generally ok. not sure if its making any difference to the arthritis though yet, i have bad days, really bad days and ok days but no good days as yet! will let you know how i get on. as mentioned before i think its pretty standard treatment now as my rheumy has said if it doesnt work we can try anti tnf so i think thats more of a last resort.
hope this helps
xx0 -
Hi,
I'm Katherine, i'll be 16 in a few weeks, so that means i've been on MXT for 10 years now.
I really have my ups and downs about this drug. I'm not going to lie to you and tell you that it's be an amazing wonderdrug with no side effects, because that would be untrue.
What i will tell you though is that as i was so young taking it, i really didn't understand the need for it and hated it very much.
It made me very ill, though as i've gotten older, it has gotten a little easier to deal with.
If i'm being honest, i've had almost a completely normal childhood with it, and it really has worked wonders for the arthritis, just the side effects aren't so fun..
Theres a big chance you wouldn't have any of the side effects i had/have...
As far as fertility is concerned, i've been a bit worried about that also, i've done some research recently, and it hardly makes any difference in your ability to become pregnant after you come off of the drug, though contraception is a must while on it. You cannot become pregnant, and the though of having to come off of it 6 months before even trying for a baby actually scares me to death.
You've lived without MXT though, and i can't remember a time without it so our perpectives will be different.
I'm not sure there is much else i can say, but i don't think it will do you alot of harm to try methotrexate for a while and see how it goes..
It probabally was the only reason i had the childhood i have had. So i really have to thank it for that
Love
Katherine
x0 -
Hi Emma236
I'm 32 and started mtx a few years ago, i was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis when i was 17. I had 3 children before starting mtx so was worried when we decided to have another baby. I'm pleased to say that i got pregnant with the first time of trying. I have never been told it effects fertility but i know it can cause deformities if you get pregnant whilst on it. If you have tried all else and still are suffering it may be worth trying unless you are thinking of children in the next 12 - 18 mths, then it wouldn't be worth it. In terms of side effects i feel mildy sick all the time but that's about it, and it has helped my psoriasis. My dose is 15mg a week.
Hope this helps a little0 -
Hi there,
i took Methotrexate for 8 years and i now have a son. My point is taking it will surpress ur fertility, but once u stop taking the methotrexate ur fertility will go back to how it was before.
so dont worry so much about that, talk to ur doc if u really do feel unsure about it.
Hayriye. xxx0
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