up the methotrexate down the prednisolone...

mike26
mike26 Member Posts: 416
edited 16. Jan 2013, 07:48 in Living with Arthritis archive
hi all

been to see my doctor yesterday getting on ok so far,
so he wants me to up the dose a little methotrexate, and cut down on the pred little.
im felling it now tho, me legs are locking up walking aroud like a (siyber man) dont like going up stairs anymore takes ages to get up there.
altho doctor did say if u need a little help take 1 pred... im trying without so far see what happens.
he was quiet impressed when i told him gotta diary thanks 4 that dd
very usefull to look back any day see whats what...
fingers crossed :roll: mike26

Comments

  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I think it sounds like a 'normal' route, Mike - reducing the pred as the DMRDS take hold. Were you told to just stop the pred in one go? It sounds a little drastic. How much were you on and for how long?
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • mike26
    mike26 Member Posts: 416
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    hi sticky wicket
    started off with 4week1.
    then 3 week 2.
    then 2 week 3.
    then 1 week 4.

    preds.

    mike26. :roll:
  • mike26
    mike26 Member Posts: 416
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    foregot to say

    per day that is..

    mike26 :roll:
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    That sounds pretty normal too. At what point did the pain start kicking in? It can be hard getting off the last 'bits' of it and, as your doc has sugested, sometimes it can work better if we just 'tread water' for a bit and give the body chance to adjust to a lower dose before lowering it again. As long as you stick within the doc's instructions you won't go wrong.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    What strength of pred, Mike? It took me nearly a year to wean myself off them (having been on them for three years at varying doses) and yes, I felt the difference with each reduction but I got used to it and now I don't even think of turning to them during the normal course of things. The exception will be when we go to the Latitude music festival in July - then I shall indulge myself! Your GP was right, if it is too tough then alternate with 1mg per day just to ease yourself off it a little more gently. Good luck with it, it can take the body time to re-learn how to make its own but it will in due course. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • mike26
    mike26 Member Posts: 416
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    thanks 4 that dream daisy & sticky wicket

    im on 5mg tbs,

    it happend last week droped down from 3 tbs to 2 tbs and couldnt move one of my legs,spoke to doctor and he said take extra one pred then i was ok ..


    same again this time droped down from 3 to 2 but am trying to put up with it,if gets to bad ill take extra 1...

    but so far im pleased my body is acepting the methotrexate no problems
    yet although was frightend at first taking them.

    not used to takeing toxic tabs :? :roll: :? mike26
  • mike26
    mike26 Member Posts: 416
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    sorry sticky wicket

    im on them as long as doctor wants, or i get ill :roll: :roll: mike26
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    It's good that you're not having problems with the meth. We all find these meds scary at first but we're well-looked after while on them.

    If your pred tablets are 5 mg each you might find them hard to reduce. As I said, play it by ear within the guidelines you've been given but this is a marathon, not a sprint :wink:

    I think we're at cross purposes. I meant how long have you been on the pred? (Sorry, you might have said in an earlier post but my aged memory.... :roll: ) It's just harder to get off them the longer one has been on them.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • trepolpen
    trepolpen Member Posts: 504
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    hi Mike

    what dose methotrexate they got you on & how much folic acid they giving you , Mtx is a good drug if you can get on with it , I am on 25mg & have been for some time now ( over ten years ) & take 5mg folic acid tabs six days a week + 5mg steriods
  • mike26
    mike26 Member Posts: 416
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    hi all
    yes sticky wicket think your right long haul here marathon,
    I started my medication just 4 xmas so comming up to 4 weeks now..

    hi trepolpen

    im on now from 15mg to 20mg once a week methotrexate,
    and 10 mg folic acid per week.

    so far so good mike26... :roll:
  • Colin1
    Colin1 Member Posts: 1,769
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    been reducing my pred for nearly 2 years was on 25mg a day for 8 years
    now down to 9mg just going to 8.1/2 wipes me out.
    Colin
    WHEN GOD GIVES YOU LEMONS MAKE LEMONADE
  • noahjojo18
    noahjojo18 Member Posts: 7
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi mike, This is just routine procedure. So nothing to worry about. Just follow the instructions.

    Leo
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    If you've been taking the pred for just over a month then the reduction may not be too bad. Pred is a wonderful drug, I couldn't believe the difference I felt after my first dose but after being on them for three years I felt I shold take my time with coming off them. I know it comes in varying strengths, 5mg, 2.5mg and 1mg so your GP might give you some of the smaller tablets to help you reduce more evenly. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • mike26
    mike26 Member Posts: 416
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    thanks 4 that
    dream daisy and all ..mike26 :roll:
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,281
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Mike
    Sorry I cant help but I do wish you well with the treatment, I will have my fingers crossed that thing even out for you very soon x
    Love
    Barbara
  • DebraKelly
    DebraKelly Member Posts: 398
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I have been on Meth for a few years now (although about to come off it shortly as we trying to start a family).

    Its a great drug and has done wonders for me, do you take a folic acid the day afterwards? if not I suggest you do this.

    Don't panic you start to feel sick etc whilst on the increase, this is normal, My best suggestion on how to deal with this is have some mints on standby or ginger!

Categories