Starting MTX

[Fred]

I think you will find the alcohol thing is a "recommendation to avoid", so the odd single glass isn't going to hurt.  

However if you look at the patient information leaflet from The Electronic Medicines Compendium (which you can find in our links page) it says:

Quote:

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Alcohol increases the risk of liver damage with methotrexate and it should be avoided during the full period of treatment.

You are right Pingu Methotrexate is the first port of call after creams, sometimes it's light therapy but methotrexate is cheap and as you have found can work. I would say if you're happy and it's working then stick with it, once you get to the stage I'm at there is nothing else left to try and it's a matter of waiting for something new to come out.

[annieg]

Congrats Pingu! 

I started MTX around the same time as you. I wish I could say I'm 100% clear, but that's not the case at all. I can say that I've had no side effects and that my psoriasis seems to be clearing in some places and slowed down considerably in others. I'm still considering it a positive experience for now, even though I'm still wearing long sleeves. I go for my first follow up and blood work in a few weeks.

[jiml]

Congrats Pingu! 

I started MTX around the same time as you. I wish I could say I'm 100% clear, but that's not the case at all. I can say that I've had no side effects and that my psoriasis seems to be clearing in some places and slowed down considerably in others. I'm still considering it a positive experience for now, even though I'm still wearing long sleeves. I go for my first follow up and blood work in a few weeks.

Hi Annie  Sorry the methotrexate is not working as fast for you. Are you on the same dose as Pingu?
I'm sure you will get clearance soon and be able to wear short sleeves

[annieg]

I'm not sure of Pingu's dosage. I'm taking 9 mg a week.

[jiml]

I'm not sure of Pingu's dosage. I'm taking 9 mg a week.

I think I read that he was on 20mg which is 8 x2.5mg tablets once a week
Perhaps they are doing a slower build up for you ?

[pingu]

Hi annieg

I started as follows

Week 1 5mg
Week 2 10mg
Week 3 - 6 15mg
Week 7 onwards 20mg

I noticed a slowdown and less scaling quite quickly but only staretd to see real clearing around week 5 to the point I was asking if I just kept a maintenance dose around 15mg it would clear eventually. 

Now I am on 20mg its all pretty good.

So yes at 9mg you are on a lower dose than me, not sure how they are increasing your dosage etc but my consultant did mention at the start that they would expect good results around 20-25mg and the slow start was simply to make sure I had no dramatic side effects.

Let us know if they plan to increase your dosage.

[Caroline]

Pingu,
Very good conclusions in post RE: Starting MTX.
Two posts later also, but there is an extreme difference between psoriasis and the arthritic version the last certainly can be debilitating. So let's not forget this two images of the same disease.

On my medication I have no limitations on alcohol *heads for the bar*

[pingu]

I'm not missing beer.

I just have to keep telling myself that.

I had psoriasis for 35 years, no beer feels like a small sacrifice. (I hope I can convince myself of that eventually)

I have no experience of psoriatic arthiritis so I am unable to comment! Fortunately! I do however appreciate that "debilitating" can take several forms physically and psychologically. I have certainly taken the choice NOT to do something or wear something due to my psoriasis which is in itself life affecting. Certainly I appreciate that those with psoriatic arthiritis may NOT be able to do something rather than choosing NOT to do so.

All in all it is a horrible disease for those of us that have it.

[Turnedlight]

You're absolutely right to take your dermatologists advice, if they said no alcohol then best to follow the advice. It would be nice if they could all get together and give the same advice to us all wouldn't it!

[pingu]

You're absolutely right to take your dermatologists advice, if they said no alcohol then best to follow the advice. It would be nice if they could all get together and give the same advice to us all wouldn't it!  

Yep, joined up thinking and all singing from the same hymn book would negate the conflict we see. But I am guessing that they make a lot of this up as they go along! 

How much real effort is going into finding a cure/remedy for psoriasis rather than something that is a spin off from something else which is what MTX appears to be.