I Want to Stop Methotrexate

[Caroline]

I have been on a combo since 2018, due to lupus. except for a change in March 2021 

2017 to August 2018 - biologics only = no improvements in psoriasis or arthritis
August 2018 - biologic and azathioprine = 100% clearance
March 2021- biologic and hydroxychloroquine = psoriasis came back with a vengeance
October 2021 - biologic and hydroxychloroquine and a very low dose of MTX (which I requested due to the psoriasis) = 95% clearance

I achieved 100% clearance very quickly the first time I was put on MTX at a higher dose than today (around 2014 I think - having a senior moment), no biologic.  Leflunomide also helped a lot.  The problem was that these treatments did not help with my arthritis.

Based on my experience (everyone is different), oral medication helped more with my psoriasis than the biologics.  And finally, I've found a biologic (Simponi) that helps with my arthritis although I have to take it every 3 weeks instead of 4.

All this to say, if you can`t withstand the MTX, you could:

1- try a lower dose of MTX
2- try another oral medication, there are other options
3- remain on Humira only (although that doesn`t seem to help at the moment - maybe it will if you can take it on a weekly basis.....time will tell)
4- switch to another biologic which entails risks due to your other conditions.

Another statement that MTX doesn’t help with Psoriatic Arthritis, which is known here on the forum, but is not known with the rheumy’s, oddly enough.

So sad that you don’t have DMF, at least you could have tried it then. For the rest a nice set of advice.  Except for 3… why stay on it if it doesn’t help (anymore because of e.g. anti-bodies). A switch, to a different bio, might be better.