Psoriatic arthritis /osteoarthritis .. wondering if anyone can help me, I've been on methotrexate 15mg for 11 weeks

[Kaz13A]

I'm feeling no benefits from taking them at the moment, feeling sick for 2 /3 days of and on after taking them but no signs of improvment in my joints (feet hands ) in fact my shoulders now hurt as well more than before starting MTX , should I keep going on the medication, hospital not until November just wondering how quickly others felt relief on the joints , I'm in constant flare

[Dan13rheumatoid]

I started on MTX in June I was only seeing slight improvement when I went back in September so was put on 20mg up from 15mg weekly next appointment November.

Don’t feel much improvement from this, reading everyone else’s posts on here it is clear MTX works for some and doesn’t for others.

I wouldn’t stop without speaking or waiting for rheumatologist appointment as they can be funny folk if you stop your medication without there consultation. Just tell them what you feel and they will in the first instance if your tolerance for 15mg is good up it to 20mg and go from there.

May I ask as you have been diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis do you have psoriasis and has this improved on MTX.

I have psoriasis and have psoriatic arthritis MTX does more for my psoriasis than arthritis at the moment.

[Kaz13A in reply to Dan13rheumatoid]

Yes I only have tiny bit of psoriasis on my elbow and sometime around my ear but that's it covers about 2" date in total ... I will keep trying until November when I go back to hospital , thank you for your help so much 😚 wish you well also

[Dobcross1]

Hi MXT 15mg took 14 weeks to start to work for me. After 23 weeks it was increased to 17.5mg. You could ask your Rheumatologist to increase your dose. From your post it seems like you are taking MXT in tablet form and they are making you nauseous, so you could ask to swap to the injections which may have less side effects (I couldn't tolerate the tablets at all but have been reasonably ok in the injections). Good luck.

[Kaz13A in reply to Dobcross1]

Oh thank you, I will keep going and pray I get some relief soon , your very kind thank you

[Kaz13A]

Bless thank you, hope things have improved for you

[Pinkypie2018]

I don't feel methotrexate is working for me either. I started it in Feb then my rheumatologist put it up to 20mg in May however I'm still in pain and relying a lot on painkillers. I was given a months course of steroids in June as my specialist nurse says it can take a long time for methotrexate to work on psoriatic arthritis. I do feel my energy levels have improved greatly and my joints aren't as swollen but at the end of the every day im aching and still very stiff in the mornings. I have an appointment this week with my rheumatologist I wonder will she keep me on it? However I just wouldn't stop taking it without medical advice and November isn't that far away for you.

[Kaz13A in reply to Pinkypie2018]

Thank you so much for your reply much appreciated, it's good to hear other people's stories with the same problem, I think maybe my energy level is little better so possibly they are working for me a little, pain wise is chronic but I do feel I can do a bit more some days, thank you I'm sure to go on holiday tomorrow for 2 weeks so I will just stop them whilst I'm away and start again when I get back... I spoke to my Dr on phone and she said today that I could stop them for 2 weeks so I will and start again on return, I appreciate your help ☺️

[Pinkypie2018 in reply to Kaz13A]

Well I hope you really enjoy your holiday and at least you don't have to worry about taking the methotrexate and having its nasty side effects. Maybe 2 weeks of rest will do you the world of good. Enjoy 😄

[roseyx]

Hi Kaz, As Dobcross suggests injections would probably help a lot with the nausea and you could ask to switch to these in November.

MTX never felt like it was working for me although I went for a year and a half with gradually increasing dose up to 20mg. Then sulfasalasine was added also without benefit. Now on 2nd biologic which is helping a lot .

Maybe the MTX will start to take effect for you, as it does for many, but if not then you have to have tried it plus one other DMARD before biologics will be prescribed. It's like doing time and can be miserable but that's the current system in the NHS.

Good luck and I hope things improve for you soon.

[Kaz13A in reply to roseyx]

Thank you so much, appreciate you taking the time to respond, I've decided to continue a little longer, I'm away on holiday for 2 weeks so instead of 6 tablets in taking 4 just so I don't feel so sick , totally appreciate your help and I'm pleased your doing better X

[iongrill]

I have read there is no measurable benefit of taking MTX for psoriatic Arthritis where as for RA it is both cheap and can be very effective.

I spent 18 months with nothing more than side effects taking MTX and then leflunomide, before finally being allowed biologics. Adlimabab worked for about 6 months, apparently because I was not takibg methotrexate, so although MTX doesnt help directly it can prevent you becoming 'immune' to biologics. I am currently on Cosentyx which is working very well and was allowed to drop leflunomide.

6 months is long enough for life long joint damage to occur with PSA, the hoops like 6 +months on MTX not working before being allowed biologics may save money but is not good for your health.

While waiting I can strongly recommend strictly following a low lectin, low histamine diet, I find this more effective than the biologics even, though I still take the latter