Methotrexate

[Megansheart]

With some fear and trembling I started Methotrexate, last week. I put off starting for a week, then, when I was well psyched up I took first tablet (10mgs). Next week I have to have first LFT and FBE blood tests.

So far no nasty reactions although I realise it is still very early.

What are other Sjögren (or RA etc) people's stories with Methotrexate?

[ROBERT_CARMICHAEL]

I have taken methotrexate for probably 20 years(at least 10) and other than being careful about lowered resistance to infection and slower healing rates I have experienced no other problems.

[Megansheart]

Thank you Robert. That's some Mtx marathon - 10-20 years!

What dose are you on if I may be impertinent enough to ask? When you say slower healing rates, do you mean wounds or systemic infections?

I have bilateral bronchiectasis (dry) and my Rheumatologist ran her plan to start me on Mxt past my Pulmonologist, so at least he is in the loop. Hopefully I can avoid succumbing to extra respiratory infections as I am also on longterm Azithromycin.

Megan

[KutieKaren]

I started off on the pills for a year or so and then my labs started to look suspect for liver and kidney damage so my dr switched me to injections. I lost a lot of hair and since it wasn’t helping that much I had to go to biologic infusions. Everyone is different and many people tolerate it just fine. I seem to be the poster child for side effects. Just make sure your dr has you scheduled for regular lab tests.

[Hidden]

Hi - I was on it for 2 years by pill and then by injection along with Sulfasalazine and Hydroxichloraquine (double/ triple therapy approach to RA - which it turned out that I didn’t have!).

I had an anaphylactic response to the other two in turn as they were introduced first. And finally had to stop MTX as it messed with my liver a bit and made me just too nauseous to be sustainable.

It did chase off the RA type symptoms though and they have never returned yet. This might have just been coincidence though because I found that I was vitamin D deficient (no one had ever checked) and got prescribed AdCal D3 - which seemed to mark a turning point with my joint pain at least. The neuropathy is another story though.

As long as I avoided alcohol entirely and IV Paracetamol my LFT and other bloods on it were good.

We are, of course, each unique in what we can tolerate. Azathioprine gave me pancreatitis but Mycophenolate was fine only my rheum has taken me off it as she says the benefits were unclear and I was getting lots of infections and stomach problems - which I suspect personally were Sjögren’s related but i am now in “wait and see” mode!

Best of luck with MTX xx

[honeybug in reply to Hidden]

Poor dear Twitchy 🌸🌿🦋

You really have been through so much...so sorry. 🌿🌹

Gentle gentle hugs 🤗 love 💕 and kisses 😘

😊🌸