Fumaderm to Methotrexate switch, advice?

[ccarr06]

Hello everyone!

So, after over 2.5 years on Fumaderm, I've unfortunately made the choice to move on to methotrexate as fumaderm was failing. I'm really disappointed that it stopped working, as it was amazing when it worked. I have just picked up my first prescription from the pharmacy for methotrexate, starting on 2.5 mgs.

I was told to take it in the evenings, so the possible nausea won't interfere with my day. Does anyone else have any other advice to help with possible side effects? Also, I asked about alcohol intake, and was told that the odd drink (as long as I wasn't consistently drinking) should be okay. I do like the odd drink or three at the weekend, has anyone had any negative side effects from the odd drink?

Thanks to anyone who takes the time to reply and/or give advice.

[jiml]

Hello everyone!

So, after over 2.5 years on Fumaderm, I've unfortunately made the choice to move on to methotrexate as fumaderm was failing. I'm really disappointed that it stopped working, as it was amazing when it worked. I have just picked up my first prescription from the pharmacy for methotrexate, starting on 2.5 mgs.

I was told to take it in the evenings, so the possible nausea won't interfere with my day. Does anyone else have any other advice to help with possible side effects? Also, I asked about alcohol intake, and was told that the odd drink (as long as I wasn't consistently drinking) should be okay. I do like the odd drink or three at the weekend, has anyone had any negative side effects from the odd drink?

Thanks to anyone who takes the time to reply and/or give advice.

Hi there I'm sorry the Fumaderm stopped working for you, it goes to prove that we are all different, with different lifestyles and diets .... I really hope you find methotrexate good for you and that it works. I was on it for a time and it worked well at clearing me .... but had to give up when I felt the side effects were worse than psoriasis .... having said that I was taking 25mg once a week and you are talking of 2.5 mg ... I assume once a week? With folic acid mid way through the week ....  or are you in a different way .....
I wish I could offer advice to minimise the side effects but I could never find anything when I was taking it

I'm also partial to a drink and had the odd drink   whilst on it .... it did make me feel better

Good luck.  I know we have a few members on  methotrexate and I'm sure you will hear from them

Jim

[Fred]

Hello CC good to see you again. Sorry Fumderm didn't work out for you, it's not easy finding the right treatment for psoriasis and every case is different.

I honestly can't help with advice with the side effects as I hate the stuff and could never get on with it. But as for the alcohol, the official recommendation is "You should try to limit you're alcohol intake or preferably give it up all together" read into that what you will. I have always been under the impression that zero alcohol is the way to go whilst on methotrexate as it can mess with your liver.

Having said that some have said it has never been mentioned to them, and some say you can have a little. Some say the dose is so small it won't effect your alcohol intake or your liver, personally I'm not so sure but that's just my opinion.

Methotrexate is one of the treatments that gets spoken about a lot on Psoriasis Club and you will hear good and bad things about it. It's a put up with or hate rather than a love or hate. I've yet to see anyone say they love it.

I would say though at the end of the day you have to decide for yourself which is the best way to go, it works for some and at least if you try it it's another box ticked.  

Good luck.

[Caroline]

So bad for you that Fumaderm stopped working. Ccar.

Can you explain more about it? How did it stop working? Which dose you were on?

[ccarr06]

Thanks Jim, it is really disappointing but at this stage there was no use continuing when it costs so much and it's not working. The one good thing is that methotrexate will be a lot cheaper per month, I won't know myself. I was a bit put off by the idea of no alcohol, but if I can have the odd drink I can cope. Thanks for the support as always, I just hope the side effects won't be too difficult to deal with. If it works, that's the main thing, so tough to be back to the stage where I can't buy certain clothes because of how bad P has gotten.


[quote='Fred' pid='120234' dateline='1504206039']
Hello CC good to see you again. Sorry Fumderm didn't work out for you, it's not easy finding the right treatment for psoriasis and every case is different.

I honestly can't help with advice with the side effects as I hate the stuff and could never get on with it. But as for the alcohol, the official recommendation is "You should try to limit you're alcohol intake or preferably give it up all together" read into that what you will. I have always been under the impression that zero alcohol is the way to go whilst on methotrexate as it can mess with your liver.

Having said that some have said it has never been mentioned to them, and some say you can have a little. Some say the dose is so small it won't effect your alcohol intake or your liver, personally I'm not so sure but that's just my opinion.

Methotrexate is one of the treatments that gets spoken about a lot on Psoriasis Club and you will hear good and bad things about it. It's a put up with or hate rather than a love or hate. I've yet to see anyone say they love it.

I would say though at the end of the day you have to decide for yourself which is the best way to go, it works for some and at least if you try it it's another box ticked.  

Good luck.

Thanks Fred, I'm just starting on 2.5mg, then I've to go for bloods before upping to 5mgs, then 10mgs. They want to make sure I don't have a serious reaction to it. I just hope it works, and for longer than the fumaderm did.

So bad for you that Fumaderm stopped working. Ccar.

Can you explain more about it? How did it stop working? Which dose you were on?

Hi Caroline, it basically started when I had to reduce my doseage by 1 tablet due to high protein in my urine. Turns out it wasn't to do with the medication, so I went back to the 6x120mg.  It slowly began to come back, and even going back up didn't work. That was over 18months ago. They've just said it can happen with treatments, they can stop working sometimes. I just hope the methotrexate works, and that the side effects will be tolerable.

[jiml]

Thanks Jim, it is really disappointing but at this stage there was no use continuing when it costs so much and it's not working. The one good thing is that methotrexate will be a lot cheaper per month, I won't know myself. I was a bit put off by the idea of no alcohol, but if I can have the odd drink I can cope. Thanks for the support as always, I just hope the side effects won't be too difficult to deal with. If it works, that's the main thing, so tough to be back to the stage where I can't buy certain clothes because of how bad P has gotten.

Hi cc and it is a shame but as you say it's not working and you are having to cover up again as it's getting bad ... it's also not cheap for you on Fumaderm and MTX will be more affordable

I really hope you can cope with it and it gets you back to wearing revealing clothes ( arms and legs   )again

Again I wish you good luck and do let us know how well it works  

Jim

[mataribot]

I don't understand the low dose of MTX maintenance for Psoriasis is 10. What good does anything lower do? There isn't much difference in side effects below 10.

[jiml]

Yes mataribot that is a low dose if it's 2.5mg once a week

[ccarr06]

Just to clarify the doseage I've been given, it's 2.5 the first week. Then I have to get bloods done, then up to 5 mg, and then 10mg. I will be back with the consultant then who will up the doseage as long as my results are fine.

[jiml]

Just to clarify the doseage I've been given, it's 2.5 the first week. Then I have to get bloods done, then up to 5 mg, and then 10mg. I will be back with the consultant then who will up the doseage as long as my results are fine.

Thanks so it will be a steady build up I understand now