Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group New meds for me - Methotrexate and Prednisone

Hi again,

Been a while since I posted, but I still lurk and read.

I had a pretty good year up until a few months ago - had about 10 months where I was feeling good, with just minor flares and I was going to the gym, working out, getting fit. That lasted till Febuary, when it kicked in and since then I've been in whole new levels of pain and reduced movement... all my joints are affected, as well as my back and my neck. (I have psoriatic arthritis, for those that dont know)

I went to the rheumy yesterday, and she has put me on 15mg of Methotrexate and 20 mg of Prednisone. The Methotrexate builds weekly from 2.5mg to 15mg over 4 weeks, and the Prednisone reduces after two weeks by 5mg a week until it remains on 5mg.

I guess this is pretty routine, but it seems like the docs are bringing out the big guns now because I'm in such pain.

The point of my post is that I just appreciated that it's for ever: it's not going to go away -it's something I'll always have to deal with.

I asked the rheumy how long I would need to take the Methotrexate for: She said it was long term.

"For ever?" I asked
"No, not for ever"
"Well, how long?"
"It depends how you go"

It's much like when I emigrated to New Zealand from England. When I first arrived I bought lots of postcards to send 'home' - something I'd traditionally do on holiday the day before I left to go home. Those postcards still sit in my drawer...

prednisone has been a miracle drug for me. Even with the weight gain, my pain levels are MUCH MUCH lower, and Im able to do way more then I could before the preddy. Ive been on it for almost a year and a half now and my doc doesnt even mentino when Ill come off because its the only thing we can use to fight the pain besides opiates. I had a bad reaction to methotrexate personally, but Im sure you'll get a lot of people telling you about their experiences. Welcome from lurking. Its a good place to be, this kickas.org. Its saved my sanity plenty of times.

Hi There

Well weight gain isn't an issue for me, as I'm a skinny chap right now. And as I've had to pretty much give up beer for the methotrexate, I'll be missing what little weight gain I had going on, anyway.

I've just taken my first 20mg prednisone dose this morning, and I'm looking forward to some relief. Hope it comes fast!

Quote:

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I pray it works for you as well as it does for me

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That's so nice Tela - thank you

I've just developed a real headache (something I hardly ever get) and I'm feeling a bit confused generally - sort of a fluffy headed feeling.

I wonder if it's too soon (only took the first dose about 4 hours ago) to be having a beneficial effect, but I reckon my pains are diminishing a bit. Apart from the headache, that is.

Does anyone know if it's safe to take paracetamol with pred?

HI... HOMEPAGE TRY THIS SITE I HOPE IT HELP....TAKE CARE

Don't know about the other meds (rheumy won't let me take methotrexate because of scary stuff my tummy's been through), but one thing to look out for is that some people have trouble with, um, personality changes, with prednisone. As a nurse I've seen people get themselves fired, arrested, or almost divorced before realizing it was the steroids. Of course, not everybody reacts this way, and it is very helpful. I myself just get very wired and anxious on it, so I try not to make new friends while I'm on it...bad first impression

Just pay attention to how you're feeling, and contact your doc if you see anything too "funny", because you do have to taper off it, even if you react badly to it!

Shane,

Don't be too upset.

The Meth is not so bad, it really might help you.

The prednisone is the one you need to be careful of, it is for the inflammation. If you use it long term it might cause some weight gain, mood swings, depression. If you start feeling any of that just talk to your Dr. about it.

20mgs a day is a pretty good dose, but not if you don't stay on it for long. I take any where from 10mgs to 60mgs most days depending on how I am feeling. I have been slowly trying to wean myself off without my body going into attack mode.

Just keep your chin up,

Lisa