Starting MTX

[D Foster]

A lot of people are very negative about MTX but it has been used for a long time in fact I think around 50 years plus so it is a well known drug and we with P and PsA only used it in small doses so providing the bloods are OK and anyone using it is sensible then you should be fine.
I have had P and PsA since my 20s and I am 68 this year so this is the first time now I am on Stelara that I have been clear or at least 99.9%, when I was on MTX I only managed about 80%

All the best and take care Pingu

[mataribot]

The dosing of MTX standardized - never heard of any studies to suggest by weight (there may be some out there ). Studies involving daily dosing or single large dosing were discontinued because of toxicity. The maximum weekly does of MTX is 30. However, since generics typically have more active ingredient, they typically stop at 25. The ideal dose of MTX is 10.  Anything more and side typically outweigh the benefits.

[pingu]

Thanks I just need to keep up beat and give it some time. 

Its a case of wanting quick results but also having a little faith. Previously just keeping the worst of the symptoms at bay from visible areas to trustiing in something I have no experience of.

Psychology has a huge part to play in my psoriasis, when I am less stressed, which is very rare I can see an improvement. When I have been training and feel a little better I think my psoriasis is  little better. Its never been great for many years but i have learned to live with it.

Really its a journey for me. I had a few questions but was asked to keep it up.

So as well as "how my MTX goes" there will be a little about how I feel about it.

[jiml]

Stay upbeat Pingu it should be a good experience for you
Stay positive and come back often and tell us how it's working for you
This is a great place to come to raise your spirits should you need to
I'm looking forward to reading your experience

[pingu]

Well it appears that my psoriasis is a little less agressive than it has been in a few months. I am not saying that MTX is working yet as it has only been 12 days since my first low dose so it is still too early to say. It may just be a part of the cycle that we all live with but it is still nice to feel that I am not fighting that battle that commences when my skin kicks off.

Several months ago I was doing really well with just a few places and then it kinda got a little out of control. From just a few patches of plaque psoriasis on my knees and elbows and a tiny bit on my torso it all kicked off and I was getting gutate psoriasis on my back, thighs torso etc.

It now seems to be calming down and there may be several reasons. 

A little bit of psychology may be at play where, because I am doing something positive it may have abated.

It may just be cyclic as I have been here before where it goes nuts for a few months then calms down.

It may be that MTX is starting to work but its easily a few weeks before I expect to be able to confirm anything positive regarding MTX.

All in all its still nice that is easing up a little and not as aggressive.

[annieg]

New here. Hi.

I just started MTX (last night, actually). I have anxiety when dealing with new medications, so it took a good half hour and some hubby hand holding, but I finally took the pills. I haven't had any nausea so far, but it may be too soon to feel any of the side effects? I have a pretty sensitive stomach in general (and the anxiety doesn't help), but so far so good.

[pingu]

Hi annieg.

Almost everything I have read suggests nausea the day after, I was advised to take my MTX before bed with a snack so you are not taking it on an empty stomach and if you do get anything your going to sleep through the worst. That said I started on 5mg two weeks ago, 10mg last week and I go to 15mg this week. Also NO ALCOHOL, which according to the consultant is usually why men don't want MTX.

I think I could handle a little nausea to get rid of psoriasis but lets see. 

So far so good for me anyway I am not having any nausea.

Also don't forget to take your folic acid.

I sound like an expert but I did do quite a bit of research.

On the idea of not liking taking drugs I am pretty much the same as you, my body is a temple. Well it looks a little delapidated like the Acropolis but beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I don't like taking things that shouldn't be in my body for any reason. This year though with several rounds of minor surgery I have had more than my fair share.

I certainly thought long and hard about drugs for psoriasis but decided the positives should outweigh the negatives. No more lubing myself up every night with lotions and potions that make my bedding or clothing feel dirty etc. No more greasy skin feeling and taking something once a week rather than doing something everyday or twice a day.

My girlfriend is looking forward to less hoovering as well 

[jiml]

Well Pingu and Annieg.
I think you will be pleasantly surprised at the job methotrexate does and when clearing your self confidence should escalate when you stop shedding skin and are able to uncover without shed skin being left wherever you go. That should be the best side effect, and I hope none of the nausea feelings will get to you

[annieg]

Hi pingu! I was prepared for the nausea. Maybe since I haven't had any so far that I've lucked out? Hope so! I started 7.5 mg last night. I'm supposed to increase it to 9.5 next week. I don't drink alcohol ever, so that's not a problem for me.

Thanks for the info! Good luck to you!

[Fred]

Sounding good Pingu, yes you are right because you are positive and doing something about it that will help immensely. Also Summer and extra daylight hours help to in my opinion, I find the Winter Blues is when we see more people here saying it's getting worse. But don't knock it, if anything is working then you just stick with it.  

As for you sounding like an expert, you will be surprised about how much a patient knows about a treatment they are using and that is why we all share on Psoriasis Club. So keep it up, as your input will undoubtedly help other readers.

@Annieg Not everyone does get the nausea, so let's hope you are one of the lucky ones.