New to methotrexate.

[LuluG]

HI, I'm new here, and have been taking Humira for a year and I noticed last month it has slowly stopped working. I went in for routine blood work and showed the doc my skin was flaring up. She has added methotrexate and is switching me to Stelara. I tool my first 3 pills tonight and folic acid everyday now. I take my next Humira dose tomorrow night. Can anyone please tell me the symptoms I should expect with taking all these. Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

[Hidden]

Hi there LuluG. I don't know about Stelara (I'm on Humira) but I wouldn't mind betting that like most biologics it tends to be fairly side-effect free.

Assuming that's 3 x 2.5mg Mtx tablets you're taking, i.e. 7.5mg in total, that is a low dose and you may well find you have no ill effects whatsoever. People vary so much in how they react to Mtx, I've been absolutely fine on 25mg a week and am now on 10mg as it's just there to prop up the Humira. Many say they feel tired the day after taking the tablets and pick their day of the week accordingly. Some nausea also seems fairly common and headaches too, I think. It's really important to drink plenty of water when you're taking Mtx, regularly every day, I hear that can help prevent the headaches etc. As for Folic Acid, I've not heard of anyone having a problem with it.

I hope Stelara works really well for you. And I'd say don't worry about Mtx .... it gets a bad press online but then who is going to take to the keyboard to post "I'm on Mtx and it's fine"? Mind you, I do, A LOT! I reckon someone's got to redress the balance!

[Jane-wood in reply to Hidden]

I went onto stelara from humira and it's been a miracle, worked within weeks where the humira had stopped making any difference. I haven't had any side affects. Cleared my very bad psoriasis too. I struggled with methotrexate when I was on it years ago due to constant nausea.

[chloe40]

Welcome to Beyond Psoriasis LuluG

Chloe

[healthygenes]

Hi LuluG,I have Psy arthritis, have been taking methatrexate for many years, I don't know anything about the other two drugs, but the mtx I have had very little side affects maybe my skin itching , also my psoriasis flared a bit, but I only have it on my feet,so wasent too bad but the benefits way outweigh the side affects , methatrexate saved my life ,I could hardly get up the stairs, I was in a right state and I was only about 47, but I still have the shocking fatigue, etc whether or not mtx added to that I dont know, as I have had it that long now,best of luck I hope it improves your situation.

[chloe40]

Hi @LuluG How are you getting on with your new medications?

Chloe

[LuluG in reply to chloe40]

I had a really rough weekend. I was shocked at how bad it really did make me feel. I felt like a nauseated slug. It was hard bc I have 2 kids and so much to do.

[Hidden in reply to LuluG]

Oh gosh. Sorry to hear this. I think your attitude is spot on though, plan for the worst and expect the best. It may well be that your body will adapt pretty quickly. Keep us posted and fingers crossed for you.

[chloe40]

So sorry to hear that LuluG it must be really difficult for you with the children.

Take care

Chloe

[LuluG in reply to chloe40]

It's ok. Thank you for the concern. Im hoping the second week will be better since I know what to expect.

[chloe40]

I do hope so, take care

Chloe

[lchavezdavis]

I started with Enbrel (biologic) in it's final phase of clinical studies. I took it for 7 years and it worked great; it was nothing short of a miracle! When my symptoms flared out of control. I switched to a different biologic, Humira. It is working great for about 8 years now! However, more recently, there has been a period of over a year that I have suffered reoccuring chronic infections requiring 11 courses of antibiotics in the last year! Needless to say, my rheumatologist recomended skipping a dose at my own discretion. I changed other things, too, causing much trauma. But I could not stay miserable. I mustard the energy and the courage to create a better life. And, I have been assured if the remission ends, there are a lot of different options for other biologics. I would refuse the methotrexate, that is one of the dirtiest medicines there are. Monitor your liver enzymes very diligently. Promise? Good luck, don't let doctors dictate everything! You are the boss!