GCA and RA

[Kyrenia]

I have been prescribed Methatrexate alongside prednisolone. I have tried Sulfasaladine, but can’t cope with side effects. Has any one got ant tips please about when to take Mtx please. Also are the side events unpleasant.

Thanks

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Have a look at the FAQs and MrsNails posts on MTX, loads of information- healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[Sharitone]

It was a while before I found out that you should take them a couple of hours after the pred.I usually take them about 11 am on a weekend day. Not aware of any particular side effects except the deadly fatigue, which could equally be the disease or the pred. Doesn't seem to have helped much, and I hope you are one of the ones it works for.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

My rheumy recommends splitting the dose and taking half before bed on your chosen night and the rest the next morning and finds it reduces the risk of nausea. I certainly had no nausea - just a load of other things!!

[piglette]

Have you been prescribed folic acid too?

[Kyrenia in reply to piglette]

Yes for the days in between the Mtx

[piglette in reply to Kyrenia]

Oh good.

[dancersize2]

I take Mtx with breakfast and pred at the same time. Some lightheadedness early on. No nausea. Almost three years on both now. I've cut the MTX to 15mg weekly and the pred down to 1/4mg daily. Rheumy wants me off the pred before I reduce the MTX any more. Still taking it very slowly. Also folic acid the six other days.

[Choco-Holic]

I’ve been on methotrexate for a couple of years now. At first I just felt tired/lethargic the day after taking dose, but after a while that passed and I’ve not had any problems to date. I usually take mine around 9pm as someone told me that if you were to feel nauseous you’d hopefully sleep through that stage! Good luck x

[mgrogers99]

I didn't tolerate MTX orally, even spreading the pills over 36 hours. I wanted to try the injections and found no side effects except fatigue....ask for the injection.

[DAW28]

I have been taking MTX since February 2012 and take 20mg MTX on a Monday and 5mg Folic Acid on a Friday. I find it easier to remember on which day to take which medicine.