Starting MTX

[jiml]

I would ask for another oral before you venture onto biologicals myself I'm on Fumaderm and it's a great treatment and has given me virtually 5 years clear

But there are others like Acetretin and cyclosporine look here Oral Treatments For Psoriasis

Good luck with whatever you get, I hope it's successful

[pingu]

I think as it is NHS there is a cost benefit to look at and I am assuming orals are cheaper.

I recall when I started out thet consultant said that MTX was like the first line with80% effectiveness but obviously reading about it many people have terrible side effects.

I cant see myself getting Stelera right now even though 3 monthly injections would be great.

My biggest concern is the interim swinging from one treatment to another and how my psoriasis may be effected.

I guess it is all part of the journey. That said I may still be on MTX if my bloods are OK, I guess it is an opportune time to discuss it with my consultant.

[pingu]

OK so I had a call from my consultant yesterday afternoon.

My bloods are back to normal, no abnormal liver scores. However, I expressed an interest in trying an alternative to MTX as I am getting some psoriasis returning. Her answer, so far after a very brief discussion, was that I should try injecting MTX as the higher dosage I am on (17.5mg) may not being absorrbed easily and causing an effect on my liver.

I have to await an appointment in the New Year and possibly go to a session to learn how to inject myself. Will need to understand storage etc as I don't really want to be taking several weeks supply with me and having to stick them in a mini bar while I work away!

As an amusing aside. I went for my flu jab and my GP asked for a blood sample as I hadn't had a health check in a while! What planet these people live on amazes me. 2015 I was in and out of hospital with all sorts of silliness. Anyway Thursday I was like a pin cushion, two blood tests and a flu jab. The GP send off the bloods no issues, I assume they will call me, I have no idea. Now my consultant calls for my blood results and is informed I am having additional bloods done as an impatient and immediately starts assuming I am now in hospital and starts trying to both contact me and find out where the hell I am so they know I am on MTX and have had a high blood reading. In the meantime trying to get hold of me etc. Consultant genuinely going above and beyond the call of duty but appreciate that they were concerned because someone screwed up saying I was an inpatient.

[Fred]

That's odd. By what I know about it, the side effects are the same (I know it was when I tried it)

Also I think it's one shot a week, so not a good option for a person working away from home in my opinion. Though I do think you can store it room temperature. *But don't take my word for it.

[pingu]

Medium term I think I want to get off MTX onto something better and with significantly fewer risks. Will have to see but I don't see weekly injections working for me.

[mataribot]

There are two types of injectable MTX - preservatives and without preservatives. The ones with preservatives can be saved after injection and the other is tossed. You should keep your MTX in dry dark area between 15 and 20 C. A sock drawer seems to be great (just keep in a bag).

[pingu]

There are two types of injectable MTX - preservatives and without preservatives. The ones with preservatives can be saved after injection and the other is tossed. You should keep your MTX in dry dark area between 15 and  20 C. A sock drawer seems to be great (just keep in a bag).

Thanks for that. From what my consultant described its a toss in the bin after use so I guess that without preservatives. Anyhow it would seem like a lot of stuff to keep, I know its not needles etc.

Have to wait and see where this journey takes me.

[mataribot]

There is little point to MTX above a dose of 15 - side effects plus shortened duration. Typical get between 2 and 4 years before it's time to get something different. I think it's time for other options.

[D Foster]

Less problems with side effects on injections , I was on 25mg by oral and went down to 20mg on injections . 9 years on MTX ,6 years orally and just over 3 years on injections but the side effects plus it never worked more than 80℅ on the P but good for the PsA. I would say that if you get chance to get Stelara jump at it . Cyclosporine was really bad for me though everyone is different and acetetrine was not good either.

[pingu]

Well I have yet another blood test tomorrow as my bloods are a little all over the place at present.

Currently awaiting a call to go and get shown how to stab myself in the thigh and stomach inject myself which I am not looking forward to and then I will be put on Metoject, should happen in the next 2-3 weeks.

Really not looking forward to it as having to inject myself fills me with dread and doing it every week! Just have some serious reservations.

I guess if I can't work with it we need to find something else but my consultant seems convinced this will help stailise and get rid of that little bit of psoriasis that has returned on elbows.