Is it possible to become Pred and Methotrexate free?

[PaddyPop]

Hi!

Just another quick question - has anyone tapered off Pred and then Methotrexate entirely????

[PMRpro]

Being taken for what?

[PaddyPop in reply to PMRpro]

Takayasu Arteritis

[PMRpro in reply to PaddyPop]

In GCA, which is almost identical to Takayashu's, patients are able to get of both pred and methotrexate when it is being used as a steroid sparer. I'm not sure if that also applies in TA, patients are able to get off pred but not so sure about the methotrexate. I assume you have asked your rheumatologist?

[PaddyPop in reply to PMRpro]

Stupidly I didn’t ask! I only thought about it when I read posts saying from people saying they we’re going to be med free

[Dramaticharlie]

I have been taken off pred and planning with my consultant to come off methotrexate in the next few months.. I take them for GPA and have been taking both for 8 years so I’ll let you know how it goes! But possible - yes!

[PaddyPop in reply to Dramaticharlie]

That’s great news for hi and for me! Please let me know how it goes 👍

[zoe69 Moderator Volunteer Vasculitis UK]

I have been off preds for more than a year and currently tapering my immunosuppressant (I am on azathioprine). I hope to be off it in a year.

[Main1234 in reply to zoe69]

If I can ask has it taken a long time to start reducing your aza? How long have you had GPA ? Thank you

[zoe69 Moderator Volunteer Vasculitis UK in reply to Main1234]

I was diagnosed in November 2014. I had 6 cyclophosphamide infusions and started with 60mg prednisolone that I started reducing after my second infusion. I was put on azathioprine at the end of May 2015.

I got of preds 13 months ago and started reducing azathioprine last September- more than 3 years after I started it. ( I went from 150mg to 100mg).

I will see my consultant next month and I am hoping to reduce azathioprine again.

[Main1234 in reply to zoe69]

Thank you Zoe. My husband was diagnosed almost 2 years ago now and has had the same treatment as yourself. He was able to reduce his prednisone without any problems so hope he continues in the right direction.

[jofrable]

I moved from decreasing doses of Prednisone to Methotrexate. I gave up methotrexate after some months because of all the miserable side effects; having tried both daily pills and then weekly injection. and unimpressive positive research, with an unsupported off label prescription. (Confirmed by a second consultation)

I continued with Prednisone. @ 10mg. I went on a reduction regimen of 1mg per day on a monthly basis, hoping to eliminate all, however, I found symptoms returning and have been maintaining with some tradeoff at 5 mg/da. I feel that whatever outlying effects on my osteoporosis is a reasonable tradeoff.

The risks to broken bones due to falls in white females over 70 isn't any less likely. It is a tradeoff for me on quality of daily life. I have asked for another bone scan to see if there is any untoward rapid bone deterioration.

[Slem2]

I was on prednisone 3 times for GPA. First when diagnosed, then after 2 relapses. I came off it completely each time. Glad to get off it. I hated the side effects. I also had Cyclophosphamide, then Azathioprine, but they didn't stop my relapses, and azathioprine was knocking out my white blood cells. Been on Retuximab for more that 2 years now. It's the only drug that has turned me from ANCA positive to ANCA negative and I've had no relapses since. I've been off prednisone for around 18 months.