Ankylosing Spondylitis, Methotrexate

November 10, 2008

Have any of you had any success with methotrexate. Seems like most

people who post about it ave no luck or it makes them sicker.

November 11, 2008

My kids have had minimal relief with Methotrexate, but have gotten this with

injections, not

pills. It doesn't last for too long, but that has been our problem with all

meds. They help for

a while and then they stop helping and we have to switch to something else.

>

> Have any of you had any success with methotrexate. Seems like most

> people who post about it ave no luck or it makes them sicker.

>

November 11, 2008

I have undifferentiated SpA with several family members having AS and another at

the rheumatologist this morning due to symptoms just like mine. Methotrexate has

been a very good med for me, though I think it is causing some cognitive issues

which are mild to moderate but significant enough to concern me. I put off

starting it for a number of months because of concerns about side effects: I am

a singer and need to maintain my voice. So far I have had no problems with my

voice. I was encouraged to give it a try by a few people, one of whom was a

singer who had been on a higher dose than I would be on. I am on 7.5 mg but

won't be surprised if that gets raised next week because I am flaring badly for

the first time in six months. (Going six months without a flare on only 5 mg

Prednisone is a miracle for me.)

J. Blake

http://www.growingstrong.org

sjblake@...

I'm protected by SpamBrave

http://www.spambrave.com/

November 11, 2008

I have AS and take MTX, Remicade and Arava. Yes, MTX made me a little sick

in the beginning. But, it is no problem now. I've been on 7 pills once a

week for two years now. It seems to work better in combo with another drug

for most people. Each person has to find the right mix of meds for

them. I am a real person again. That combo has been a lifesaver for me.

Kate G

Hashi's

AS

At 11:13 PM 11/10/2008, you wrote:

>Have any of you had any success with methotrexate. Seems like most

>people who post about it ave no luck or it makes them sicker.

November 11, 2008

Dear ,

I have had Anklosing Spondylitis for over 35 years and have tried everything.

I did take Methotrexate but it really had no effects of my symptoms at all. I

have been on Humira now for nearly 3 years and have been able to get the

prednisone down to 3 mg. a day, down from 8-10 mgs. I feel good enough to walk

3 miles a day. The drawback is of course the cost. My insurance pays 100%

after I spend $3100. which believe me does not take long....by February I am on

the free side! I give myself the easy to give shots each week and really am

better. I could not wait the 2 weeks between shots but the weekly dosage is

working fine so far with no side effects. Just thought I would let you know.

Best of luck. Debby Young

-------------- Original message from " Dower " <tracydower@...>:

--------------

Have any of you had any success with methotrexate. Seems like most

people who post about it ave no luck or it makes them sicker.

..

November 11, 2008

I have Reactive Arthritis and am thinking of trying Methotrexate. Has anyone had

any good result with it? I would love to hear of others experiences, positive or

negative. Thanks, Tom

reply to: thomaslambirth@...

November 11, 2008

Hi

I have AS and ReA.

Methotrexate was one of the many drugs I tried but for me it had no effect on

any symptoms and within a couple of weeks of taking it I developed a severe

allergic rash. I am now on Remicade - have been for nearly a year and it is

has worked miracles - I am back to running walking and am so estatic at getting

my life back after 3 years of 24/7 pain and shuffling.

Regards

November 12, 2008

Thank you all for your feedback.

November 12, 2008

Dear ,

As with any of these disease you will come to learn what may work for

another doesn't mean that it will work for you. I have tried

Methotrexate, Azulphdine-individually and as a combo of both and

neither really seemed to work. I would start to notice a slight

difference then about the time I would decide that it was working it

would quit working. So I would suggest that you just try and see if

these drugs will work for you.

Barbara

>

> I have Reactive Arthritis and am thinking of trying Methotrexate.

Has anyone had any good result with it? I would love to hear of others

experiences, positive or negative. Thanks, Tom

>

> reply to: thomaslambirth@...

>

November 13, 2008

-Hi,My son 25, has AS since he was in high school, and not treated,it

was the Dr search at that time.But a couple of weeks ago he finally got

a clear cut diagnosis, and started on mtx and working towards Remecade

also,plus of course prednisone.I am telling you,he went from a little

hunched over limping little old man, to standing up straght and walking

fine in just a few doses of it. He still hurts,but nothing like he did.

He has got to get his ulcerative colitis and celiac sprue under contorl

now, and maybe he can go back to work. I have ReA and when I took the

mtx, I had the itchiest rash, I had to stop taking it. It seemed to

help some,by I couldn't live with the itch. I also have ulcerative

colitis, and now interstichel cystitis.Had anyone had any good

treatments for the IC? It is really causing me problems. My bladder

feel like a gord is in there. And it is really hard to get the urin

out. I have some pills for it, but it doesn't seem to be working very

well. My whole insides are so swollen that I have to ware loose fitting

dresses all the time. I've about had it with these auto immune

diseases. 40 some years of fighting them, and I never win.They just

spread everywhere,and I have to take more meds. Believe me, I am glad I

am not just begaining like my son is. I feel so sorry he will go thru

the pain and rude Drs. like I have. You have no idea the Drs I have

seen have said to me. Well, maybe some of you do. I can't believe they

are aloud to speak this way to people who are so sick and confused. It

is a pity. in OR

-- In , " Dower " <tracydower@...> wrote:

>

> Thank you all for your feedback.

>

November 13, 2008

It is terrible that everyone has to suffer this way and I'm sure everyone is

sick and tired of being sick and tired... One piece of advice that I would have

for everyone on this list today is to contact your Senators TODAY. They are

meeting to hopefully pass a bill for the Prevention, Control and Cure of

Arthritis in Congress. It passed through the House and has to pass the Senate

this week or we start all over at square 1 next year. If you haven't already,

go to the Arthritis.org website and click on " Let Your Voice Be Heard. Become

an Advocate " . You can then click on " Contact Congress " . You can enter your zip

code and a form letter will pop up that will be sent directly to your Senator.

You can personalize it with your own story if you want. It is SOOO easy and

could make all the difference. Believe me, I'm just a mom of 2 children with

AS. I am not political at all, but this was so easy to do and so important for

all of the sufferers of

arthritis.

Let me know if you have any questions. I'd be happy to try to help! Good luck

and please contact Congress today. You just might be the one to make up your

Senator's mind about voting to pass this bill - you never know...Myndi

Fitzgerald

Ph: 317-503-3701

Fitz's Travel

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________________________________

From: dlizabeth <elizabethfaye@...>

Sent: Thursday, November 13, 2008 6:52:22 AM

Subject: Re: Ankylosing Spondylitis, Methotrexate