Anyone on Enbrel and have also stopped MTX?

[Bubblyb]

I have recently switched from Humira to Enbrel and I heard somewhere that sometimes you can stop taking MTX when you take Enbrel and it won’t affect you adversely. Does anyone have experience with stopping the MTX after starting Enbrel? I’ve been diagnosed with PsA. Also I weaned myself off the Prednisone, finally. I seem to be handling it well, thank goodness! I really would just like to be on one med if at all possible. I am just curious what your experience was when you did it. I know our personal responses to meds are all different. Thanks in advance for any responses. 🌸 Becky

[helixhelix]

I’m on Enbrel, and am in the process of dropping down doses of MTX. My rheumy says she’d like to get me down to 10mg, but that I would need to continue to take it if possible as will help stop me building up antibodies to Enbrel.

[Biofreak]

I am not on Enbrel now but it was the first biologic I was prescribed. I couldn't tolerate methotrexate and was taken off it and given sulphasalazine instead Then I was given Enbrel which was added to the sulphasalazine. It produced fantastic results for 5 years. However I wasn't ever on Enbrel alone.

[Kerensa21]

I’ve been on Enbrel biosimilar alone for over a year as did not tolerate MTX. Worked well but lately started to get some joint pain (to be fair, wrists & hands have never been totally free on anything). I know what you mean about wanting to just be on one med, good luck whatever you & team decide 👍

[annie64]

I am on Enbrel and stopped taking MTX. I had to stop all meds because of a low blood cell count. I refused to go back on MTX because the Enbrel was working so well and I didn't want to take too many drugs. I am not sure the experts were happy but I have been on Enbrel, now Benepali (Etanercept) for over 10 years. I pay attention to diet and have cut my dose to one injection every fortnight. They think MTX combined with etanercept has a synergistic effect but I think every one is different and its what works for you. I also weaned myself off steroids and I think everyone was surprised about that too.

[L1zzy]

I've had RA for 43yrs. I was getting infections so changed from Humira to Enbrel a number of years ago. During this time I have been on 7.5mg of MTX and was instructed not to stop, as the combination worked well together. I have since been diagnosed with Vasculitis and taking 2.5mg Prednisone, which I had previously weaned myself off. Also diagnosed with Sjrogren's Syndrome. I wonder if the Biologics/MTX triggered the Vasculitis/SjSy but there seems to be no easy answer. Otherwise no side effects as yet.

[Shalf in reply to L1zzy]

Hi Lizzy, that's 40 years longer than I have had it. How on earth have you coped? You must have seen and experienced many changes throughout your journey with meds and so on.

Like you, I have had my share of infections especially while on biologics. Rituximab and methotrexate is the next try. I live in hope.

Sorry to read of your vasculitis.

xx

[L1zzy in reply to Shalf]

Sorry it took so long to reply! Not sure where 43yrs came from, it should have read 34yrs - a senior moment perhaps, that's one side affect I forgot to mention! Brain fog and fatigue are on the list, but not sure if it's the drugs or the disease. Probably a combination of the two. I was just speaking to someone yesterday and saying I've had RA so long - and 34 years is long enough, I can't remember what life was like without it, except I was always on the go and loved gardening! The drugs are better now, it used to be the mildest form of anti-inflammatory and pain killers, which increased as the disease progressed, plus short high doses of steroids - resulting in badly deformed joints and lots of surgery.

I hope they've found the right combination of drugs to suit you xx

[Hidden]

Yes I stopped methotrexate after 30 odd years. The Enbrel worked immediately. Gradually reduced methotrexate and am no longer on it. Feel better without headaches. Good luck. I have PsA