polymyalgia rheumatica and methotrexate

crabtree123
crabtree123 Bots Posts: 31
edited 4. Dec 2011, 13:37 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi , I would like to know whether anybody knows how effective methotrexate is with P.R. In regards to treating the symptons / and / or cure ???? Many Thanks , Viv .

Comments

  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I'm afraid I know nothing about Polymyalgia Rheumatica, Crabtree123. I know methotrexate is good for RA - well, it is for mine though we're all different. A cure? Well, it aint gonna cure me that's for sure but it does a good job of keeping stuff at bay.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Dear Viv

    Welcome to the forum. There are a few members on here who have been diagnosed with PMR.

    I clicked on the Search button at the top of the screen and typed in polymyalgia rheumatica, clicked on Living with Arthritis forum and then clicked on the Search button below and there are quite a few pages of past postings on PMR. I don't know if you have already done this but it may help you. I see you have already been in contact with the helplines and received replies.

    I do hope that you get answers to your questions.

    Hugs
    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • annie_mial
    annie_mial Member Posts: 5,614
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Yes, been on Methotrexate as a steroid sparing agent, I have both PMR and GCA.

    It did well last year, enabling me to cut the steroid dose down to 2.5mg Prednisolone daily, the lowest I've ever been. Unfortunately when I had a severe flare earlier this year it seemed to lose it's benefit and hasn't helped at all - I'm still struggling with it all 6 months later. I'm sure I will be put on a different DMARD at the next Rheumy appointment.

    I was lucky and got few side effects even at the max dose of 25mg a week.

    I was diagnosed with PMR in the first instance some 10 years ago and have been one of the unlucky ones, it often burns itself out after a couple of years.

    If you've got any specific questions feel free to ask and I will do my best to answer.

    Annie
  • crabtree123
    crabtree123 Bots Posts: 31
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    annie_mial wrote:
    Yes, been on Methotrexate as a steroid sparing agent, I have both PMR and GCA.

    It did well last year, enabling me to cut the steroid dose down to 2.5mg Prednisolone daily, the lowest I've ever been. Unfortunately when I had a severe flare earlier this year it seemed to lose it's benefit and hasn't helped at all - I'm still struggling with it all 6 months later. I'm sure I will be put on a different DMARD at the next Rheumy appointment.

    I was lucky and got few side effects even at the max dose of 25mg a week.
    THANK YOU FOR REPLYING , AND I SHALL KEEP IN TOUCH IF THERE IS ANYTHING FURTHER , BUT HAVE HAD P.R. FOR 2 YRS NOW AND I DON`T SEEM TO GET ANY BETTER , IN FACT , IF I MISS A DOSE OF MEDS I ALWAYS PAY FOR IT THE NEXT DAY . I AM HARDLY ABLE TO WALK AND I HURT ALL OVER . SWOLLEN FEET AND ANKLES , BUT MY G.P. TREATS THIS AS WATER RETENTION - FUSEOMIDE . SO MORE OR LESS HOUSE-BOUND . VIV .

    I was diagnosed with PMR in the first instance some 10 years ago and have been one of the unlucky ones, it often burns itself out after a couple of years.

    If you've got any specific questions feel free to ask and I will do my best to answer.

    Annie
  • annie_mial
    annie_mial Member Posts: 5,614
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I will PM you with some information, Viv. Do keep in touch.

    Annie
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    hi Viv,

    sorry i can't help with the pr but hope that the mtx will help you no end. hang in there and forgive me a bit of hi-jack. nice to meet you. Cris x

    Annie how are you and so nice to see you. hugs and a cuppa xx
  • crabtree123
    crabtree123 Bots Posts: 31
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you for all your help and advice . I shall continue to keep in touch and read ths posts. Viv .
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    We're always here, Viv, and we are always able to listen. I'm on injected meth for psoriatic arthritis and so far so good, I haven't had any problems with it apart from the odd bout of tiredness (but that's usually when I've injected the other med for it too). I don't know much about PR apart from the fact that it's quite rare, yes? DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • crabtree123
    crabtree123 Bots Posts: 31
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    dreamdaisy wrote:
    We're always here, Viv, and we are always able to listen. I'm on injected meth for psoriatic arthritis and so far so good, I haven't had any problems with it apart from the odd bout of tiredness (but that's usually when I've injected the other med for it too). I don't know much about PR apart from the fact that it's quite rare, yes? DD
    Hi dreamdaisy , i see you are on -line and have just read your very kind and thoughtful words . i have spent a lot of my time in bed since the week-end . i cannot walk very well and feel i have celulitis in/on my feet . they are hot , red and painful , so the doctor is coming out this am . i will keep in touch , many thank, viv .
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Cellulitis? Oh deary me, no, not that. :sad: I have two married friends who have had that in the past, his was in his left leg and he was off work for a month, hers was on her face and she spent part of Christmas and the New Year 2011 in hospital as they had to carefully monitor her. It's nasty, nasty stuff Viv, I remember that Annie-mial had a bout of it last year, it takes a while to clear. Please let us know what the doc says, yes? I am so sorry. :sad: DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • crabtree123
    crabtree123 Bots Posts: 31
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    dreamdaisy wrote:
    Cellulitis? Oh deary me, no, not that. :sad: I have two married friends who have had that in the past, his was in his left leg and he was off work for a month, hers was on her face and she spent part of Christmas and the New Year 2011 in hospital as they had to carefully monitor her. It's nasty, nasty stuff Viv, I remember that Annie-mial had a bout of it last year, it takes a while to clear. Please let us know what the doc says, yes? I am so sorry. :sad: DD

    hello DD , many thanks for your message , yes, the dr . came out yesterday , as i had to post-pone the previous app`t , being in bed and much of it asleep, ( only looks 18, but very good and did a good mot on me , i am 72 ) . he says it looks mild celulitis , but written me up for flucloxacillin .he is also going to put some pysio in place for me . i did not know one can get it on face....... how awful and painful for your friend . i shall keep in touch , many thanks again DD , Viv .
  • annie_mial
    annie_mial Member Posts: 5,614
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Quite right DD - I had a bad go of it left leg and foot last year. I needed IV antibiotics, so was midlined and sent home with the nurses coming out each day to do the infusion.

    It did take a long time to go completely - months rather than weeks, but once the infusions were completed it did improve week by week.

    I feel it was more of a problem because I had a lot of fluid retention in my feet and legs.

    Viv, any painkillers you take on a regular basis will help with the burning pain, but you do need to take them regularly. I found that trying to take them only on a 'when it's really bad' basis just didn't help.

    Hope you begin to feel better once the AB's have kicked in; do keep in touch.

    Annie

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