Hospital want to put me on Methotrexate - yay or nay?

[jg5118]

I’ve had multiple surgeries for synovitis but no trace of RA - yay or no when no clear diagnosis? I’ve had RA blood tests at least 4 or 5 time - nothing positive for RA. Latest synovectomies on finger joints, histopathology shows no trace of RA. After surgery, joint moves freely without pain. 7 surgeries in 20 years - wrists, shoulders, ankle, and latest were fingers - one on each hand. Steroid injections have little effect and nor does pre-op physio which is why I have surgery. Surgery gives pretty much instant relief - even the orthopaedic consultant can’t believe how quickly I recover post op,

I’ve seen a couple of rheumatologists before - we’ve tried Sulfasalazine and Hydroxychloroquinine. Both have sent my BP upwards - now the hospital want to try methotrexate - but I’m really not sure whether to go for it.

Help ? If I don’t have any markers for RA, why take it - especially in times of Covid

[MrsNails]

Hi, the Members on here who take Methotrexate are being prescribed it to hopefully get a better response to the Prednisolone they take for Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) or GCA so it’s taken as a ‘Steroid Sparer’

Maybe someone on the RA Site maybe able to offer some insight.

Good Luck

MrsN

[SheffieldJane]

It’s almost specific for arthritis. People who do well on it, do very well, people plagued by side effects don’t. The good thing is, if it doesn’t suit you you can just stop it, without tapering. I resisted it over the years and now wonder if I was wrong - my trusted Rheumatologist was very keen on it. I was trying to keep things simple with Pred. In the end ( 4-5 years) I agreed to something much more complex ( Tocilizumab) with potentially worse consequences/ side effects, to get off Pred that had begun to harm me. You can only try and hope that you are one of the lucky ones. You’ll soon know. As Mrs Nails says, there will be more insights on the RA site. Good luck.

[Gaz227]

I’ve been on pred for 6 years now can’t drop below 5mg without severe joint pain , like you I responded brilliantly to surgery both shoulders good as new, I also have no RA markers , my Rheumy has decided I have Sapho Syndrome and like so many of these inflammatory conditions MTX is the initial gold standard they go for , like the others said if it works for your body it’s a life changer , my Rheumy wants to hold off till after the pandemic or after being vaccinated against co-vid which ever comes first , these immune conditions are a minefield as so many mimic each other , After much personal debate I have exuded to give MTX a go and like has already been said you can stop it straight away if your not one of the many lucky ones . Good luck and keep fighting 👍😀

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I think the main point to be made is that it is used for a lot of things, not just RA so not having signs of that is less important.