Methotrexate as a steroid sparer - a possible ben... - PMRGCAuk

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Methotrexate as a steroid sparer - a possible benefit?

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medpagetoday.com/rheumatolo...

This article reports on a UK database study which finds RA patients on DMARDs, especially methotrexate, are less likely to develop dementia. I'm not sure if there is an increased risk of dementia with PMR - there is with other inflammatory conditions.

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Reasonable news about a dmard makes a change.

A couple of probiotic yoghurts a week supposed to offset dementia according the to the usual uk newspaper suspects.

I should be well set now.😜

Longtimer profile image
Longtimer in reply to

Til tomorrow when the powers at be change their mind! .....would never surprise me if it's dog food that will make us live longer😉

in reply to Longtimer

If you cut everything they said was bad and added everything they said was good you would probably be eating exactly what you started with but with less money and a miserable feeling.

Longtimer profile image
Longtimer in reply to

Absolutely!.....

nevagivup profile image
nevagivup

I think I am becoming demented with all the conflicting advice on health we are given. My brain hurts :)

Whoops. Mine has gone!

piglette profile image
piglette

There was an article recently stating that anyone taking methotrexate was less likely to get dementia than the rest of us.

Jimmy_The_Doo profile image
Jimmy_The_Doo in reply to piglette

Don't agree with that at all. I was on methotrexate for a relatively short period of time and I believe it was affecting my cognitive ability for the short period of time I was on it.

No more methotrexate for me thank you very much!

stellafmdm profile image
stellafmdm

I don't know about dementia, but I'm off Methotrexate now due to the severe gall bladder infection I had recently! No more MTX for me ever again!!!

Ronnie101 profile image
Ronnie101

That's interesting. I've been prescribed methotrexate but I'm holding off starting it because of all the negative press - and the side effects listed on the leaflet.

Also interesting that on the same page there is a MedpageToday article on accelerated steroid reduction with rituximab.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Ronnie101

Not in GCA - rituximab is used for other forms of vasculitis and the Medpage today article is about using short rather than long courses of steroid together with rituximab in ANCA-associated vasculitis, a totally different thing.

If you were to read the leaflets with all drugs you probably wouldn't take any of them! Not that I'm enthusiastic about mtx either...

Ronnie101 profile image
Ronnie101 in reply to PMRpro

Mmm, I can't make up my mind what will be worse - the side effects of mtx or the wrath of my consultant if I don't take it! I'm already in bad books because of my stopping alendronic acid...

Thanks for the info on rituximab - I'm always learning...

4840 profile image
4840 in reply to Ronnie101

I agree, the side effects of MTX and Alendronic Acid can be a problem, and I would not like to risk taking any one of these.

Many doctors take it personal when we hesitate/refuse to follow their opinion.

valrene profile image
valrene

I have been on Leflunomide for 18 months now as methotrexate increased my liver enzymes, managed to get to 2mg of steroids using that, I think you said PMRpro before that it doesn’t help everyone, my inflammation levels have gone down no more swelling of legs,ankles and feet, only real problem was diarrhoea for the first month and pains in tummy but a small price to pay to reduce preds xx

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to valrene

I have a friend who has been on leflunomide for 8 months and took her last pred a few weeks ago. She had been on mtx before and credited that with getting her pred dose down to about 7mg. I asked whether she will now remain on the leflunomide but she didn't reply.

Really not sure I could face even that much! It's all the other stuff I take that worries me more though - all working very well at present.

valrene profile image
valrene in reply to PMRpro

So pleased every thing is working for you at the moment, hope you can keep well feel we take one drug to help but causes other symptoms we have to take other drugs for just go round in circles all the time, keep well Val x

AliDeJ profile image
AliDeJ

Methotrexate is a no no for me as I had deranged liver function tests over the summer...reason for that not known. Just returning to normal levels now.Prior to that the Rheumy was keen for me to go on it.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to AliDeJ

Interestingly - did you know that deranged liver values are common in PMR? I wonder if there is any connection...

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