Taking control, I want off Methotrexate

Since I think I am as healthy (RA-wise) as I will get, I want to see if I can begin to reduce some drug dependancies.
I called my doc., but of course spoke to the PA. Party line response, "don't do anything until you see the doc." which is 1 month away. I won't even get into how I dislike this uninformative response, so I will take control myself.

Here is what I have planned.
Right now I am on 25mg of MTX injectable once a week, it is 1 CC. Also taking 50mg of Enbrel once a week.
I think I will reduce the MTX by 1/4 for the next 4 weeks, in 1 month no MTX shot.
I will not change my Enbrel dose or frequency, one thing at a time.

That is about the time I see my doc. again. She may not be happy about this, but it is my body.

Does anyone else have experience with reducing their drugs (prednisone does not count) as they get back to normalcy? I don't expect to stop taking Enbrel anytime soon, but I no experience on just Enbrel alone, since I started MTX 4/5 months before starting Enbrel. My hope is that Enbrel will be sufficient. I also think that independent of price, MTX is probably a lot harder on my body in general (opinions?).

Any advice/concerns/stories would be appreciated ... Craig

Yes, MTX = methotrexate.
I want to stop because it is not very good for you. It can cause liver problems, lower blood counts, and others. I like my beer and I have high cholesterol, I am not currently taking my Lipitor. And because of my level of physical activities here in Durango (well above sea level), I can use all the red blood cells I can get. Riding a bike at 10,000 ft. above sea level for many miles on a rocky trail requires good aerobic training, red blood cells are an important part of that.

If I can be just as healthy on Enbrel alone, than it sure seems like a good idea to me.

... Craig

What kind of side effects occur by stopping cold turkey? I had to stop suddenly, but that was because the drug put me in the hospital. I haven't taken it since.

Craig, I don't know about Enbrel, but with Remicade, your body responds to the medication better when you have a secondary medication. Methotrexate was shown to have the best combination effect with Remicade. From what I am understanding, you body can get used to Remicade, but methotrexate helps from that happening. My brother in law started Remicade solo like I did, after a year or so, he added (reluctantly) methotrexate back in to his medication (pills, not injections.) He said he feels much better with the addition. The MTX helps your body to not reject Remicade and have some of the side effects you might incur while taking it.

Possibly, this is NOT the same case w/Enbrel, but I do not know. Plus, that info above was 2nd hand info from other patients telling me what their doctor told them and a little from my own doctor.

Maybe the doc and you can find a lower dosage that will work okay with you for now...also, can men take folic acid? When I was on MTX, the doctor had me taking a LOT of folic acid and B vitamins to help with some of the side effects of the medication. I'm certainly not pushing the drug - I refuse to take it after what I've been through...but, as my posts will show, I have a horrible immune system and all these drugs are making it worse! I know it's a big help to many others who do take it.

Good luck. Let us know what you decide.

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How old are you? do you have reg blood wrk done? Are you taking folic acid? My doc ( not that he is GOD) said because i was not older, and have never had kid or liver probs and reg bld wrk,that should be fine. He gave me folic for the side effects, and like CaMama he said most of the meds work better with metho. CaMama, what did go through that you would never take it again? You can ride a bike Craig? It sounds like u are doing okay.Are you in a remission? If u hv been in remission for a good while, why should you have to keep taking any of them ,especially metho? I would tell my doc though, if i were to stop.Can't you drink non- alcohol beer while on meds? I am not a drinker ( 4 personel reasons not moral) but my clan is and my husband drinks couple after wrk.

Ach, I did not feel well on MTX, I was having breathing troubles, chest pain, and always felt "off." As time went on, I became very fatigued all the time. Less than a year after starting MTX, I came down with an acute case of Ebstien Barr Virus/Mononucliosis with an inflammed liver and slpeen. My liver enzymes were so high, they were through the roof. I was hospitalized for a week. It took months for the levels to go back to normal, my spleen enlarged so bad it started to bleed/ bruise and I wasn't allowed to hold my children for over 5 months. They think the MTX helped make my situation worse. My white blood count was so low, they said it was as bad as a luekemia patient - and that was just from my monthy blood work taken a week before I actually knew I was sick!

Needless to say, with all that, even though it may have been a fluke - I'd prefer to stay away from it. Now that I have liver problems again, I don't think I'd risk it either way.

Thanks for the tip on Near Beer, Flopsie - not that I drink, but good to know!

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were you par chance riding up bridal veil falls?

Craig - I went to that link that you posted with the pics, wow, are those some pretty places... maybe some day, I will get better and can ride there :) I know the bruises on my legs aren't very happy with me, but I'd have been fine had that D@(& spider not been on me! :)