Any Alternatives to Methotrexate?

[Guest guest]

Hello Everyone,

I have a question. My son's pauciauticular JRA has progressed to

polyauticular. He stayed with only one joint (his knee) affect for

5 years and this past summer it seemed to spread like wild fire.

Along with the JRA, he has acid reflux and esophagitis. His

esophagitis was so bad earlier in the year, he was one step away

from pre-cancer cells. With this problem, we are very worried and

very careful with trying any new drugs. We can't really afford to

have his stomach and/or esophagus irritated.

His rheumy wants us to start him on methotrexate. I have heard it

can be hard on the stomach. Is there anything else out there that

can be used as an alternative to methotrexate?

We consulted with an herbalist and he's taking a combination of

herbs but this does not seem to be helping. We were told to give it

a couple of months, but in the meantime I am trying to research

other possibilites.

Any advice you can give is greatly appreciated!

Have a great day,

Carolyn

mom to Dylan, 8, polyauticular