Joining the Club! Hi There

[tdjclarke]

Hi,

I'm affected mostly by Psoriasis, but I feel the onset of the arthritis coming on.  My doc suggested  Methotrexate  2 yrs ago.  After some research I decided it sounded too scary.  About a month ago I went back and knowing how much the Psoriasis had progressed, knowing I would take him up this time.   It's the 4th Friday and tonight I am stopping Methotrexate.  I was seeking info as too whether there would repercussions and if so what can I expect?  how long should I continue the folic acid?

Results after 3 wks are encouraging.  I know this must do wonders for many folks.  However, I am finding the side effects too much.  It's not only the 24 to 36 hour hangover as we call it, but my eyes tear for 72 hours, and I feel depression is slinging back.  It would appear this treatment is not for me.   I will be reaching out to my dermatologist for other solutions.

I look forward to reading about others' experiences and solutions.  How others have coped and what avenues have served them best, as I know we (here) all deal with it.

Regards

Tdj

[jiml]

Hi Tdj   to the club I'm glad you have found us ....here you will see many discussions about Methotrexate, we have those that think it should not be used for psoriasis, and those like me who think it has a place in the treatment regime, if only to prove how bad it can make you feel.
We have several members who use it and don't suffer the side effects you speak about ..in my case I lasted nearly a year on it, it cleared my skin but felt constantly unwell on it and had to force my mouth open in the end to get the tablets in. Then they made me feel so nauseous, I used to dread Fridays ..... I decided I would rather have psoriasis than tolerate the tablets so I got myself switched to Fumaderm and have had six great years on that ...but I don't think it's available in Canada ...but a similar drug Skilarence might be available ...if not there is a whole array of treatments like Acetretin see Acitretin or cyclosporine see Ciclosporine

Or your dermatologist may,  as you are showing signs of psoriatic arthritis might put you onto a biological drug  see Biological Treatments For Psoriasis

I don't blame you for stopping the Methotrexate the side effects can be horrendous ...as for the folic acid I think it's safe to stop that as soon as you stop the Methotrexate although it will do no harm to keep taking it and it shouldn't cause any side effects ... but just check with your dermatologist as Methotrexate lowers the body's natural folate levels ...

Hope you get a treatment that works as well for you but without the side effects
Good luck
Jim

[tdjclarke]

Hi Jiml,

...And thank you for the warm welcome and the many suggestions.  I will spend some time this week end looking up some of these meds and treatments.  6 years of wellness is remarkable, congrats!  I 'll look that up first!  "Fumaderm".  

Regards

[jiml]

Hi Jiml,

...And thank you for the warm welcome and the many suggestions.  I will spend some time this week end looking up some of these meds and treatments.  6 years of wellness is remarkable, congrats!  I 'll look that up first!  "Fumaderm".  

Regards

You will find it's available in Europe but I doubt you will find it in Canada ...but worth a try

put any of the treatments in the Search and it will give you loads to read through


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[Caroline]

Hi Tdj,

Welcome to Psoriaisclub.  

Too bad that you are feeling the arthritis coming on it’s way.

As with you, MTX is not for me, I tried it a couple of months and decided then that this had too be bad for my body, so I stopped it. My rheumatologist could not help me anymore at that time, but I ran in to a different doctor, who prescribed Psorinovo, which helped immensely against my psoriatic arthritis.
It is not available in the US, only in the Netherlands, but I mention it because the common working element of what Jim says, Fumaderm, and Psorinovo is that they both contain Dimethylfumarate (DMF). There is a lot written about DMF on this forum, a small search will pop the threads up.
Anyway finally after 35 years it begins to appear that medical science starts to see the advantages of this substance.
In Europe recently Skilarence has hit the market. In the US DMF is used for MS, and is called Tecfidera, but it is very pricey. But exactly the same DMF as the others.

But next to that there are a lot of biological treatments available. They have the advantage that they work very quickly, but are also very expensive.
In conversation with your dermatologist you will have to tell him that you cannot have MTX anymore, that it makes you depressed, that you feel constantly bad, and that you want to move on to different treatments. There are plenty available.
Keep tight on that you want differently, don’t let yourself being sent away with MTX again.

The forum where you now have landed on, has many friendly sufferers, and in the years a large know how has been gained by experiences of all together.
Look around, ask questions,  there will always be someone around who will give an answer.
If you don’t see anybody, you'd better check the bar. Some of them have their own table over there. Head for the smell of beer or Merlot wine and you will find some members.

Have a good time over here with us.
Cheers,
Caroline

[Turnedlight]

Hi Tdj

[Fred]

Hello Tdj   to Psoriasis Club.

Your story is very common amongst those trying Methotrexate. For me the only thing that has ever worked are the Bio's, I see Jim has posted you a link it may be worth you reading up on them. (That is if you can get funding and they will move you on to them)

If you have onset of psoriatic arthritis then do try to get on top of it as soon as possible, it's the worst part about having psoriasis in my opinion as it really does ruin your life. Psoriasis is annoying enough but when you are unable to move or are full of chronic pain then psoriasis is nothing.

It can be managed though which is a good thing, so keep pushing to get something you are happy using that is affordable and works for you.

Regards.

Fred.

[tdjclarke]

Hi Fred,

Will do on the Bios.  More info the better.  I will see If I can push up my appointment with my dermatologist.

Thank you

[Fred]

Hi Fred,

Will do on the Bios.  More info the better.  I will see If I can push up my appointment with my dermatologist.

Thank you

[D Foster]

Hi and welcome TDJ .
If one thing is true it's that what works for one or the side effects that one gets does not work for another , I was on MTX for nine years six by mouth and three by injection and it worked for me on the P though not completely but was quite good for the PsA as well.
I now take Stelara which works fantastic for the P but not as good for the PsA which I manage with pain killers. There are times when you cannot seem to win.
This club is great TDJ with no adverts or con artists trying to sell you magic cures and there is more information on P and PsA backed up with people who have the same problems so any questions will be answered truthfully. The inmates on here are all barmy but quite safe so jump in and have a good look around and ask away.