HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Methotrexate

Support Forums
>
Crohn's Disease
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 3/19/2008 3:23 PM (GMT 0)

Hi! My 18 year old son is being switched from Imuran to Methotrexate today. He is also on Remicade. They are switching him because there is research that shows that the combination of Imuran and Remicade have shown to make one more suseptible to Lymphoma. He is not crazy about the injections and I am wondering about the side effects associated with Methotrexate. After almost two years he is still not in remission. I am just wondering if anyone else has been encouraged to make this switch and to know more about side effects people have experienced on Methotrexate. Thanks for your help.

Posted 3/19/2008 5:43 PM (GMT 0)
I used MTX because I could not tolerate Imuran. I didn't notice any side effects, but was only on it for a couple months (it didn't add benefit for me, so I discontinued). And, the shots don't hurt at all. The Humira shots sting, but the MTX shots are easy once you get past the mental side! Good luck!
Posted 3/19/2008 10:05 PM (GMT 0)

I had to come off the imuran as it didn't agree with me. I was put on Methotrexate and had no problems with it ever.

I was on the Methotrexate with remacide and never had any problems with it. My bloods were checked regularily with the Methotrexate to check for white blood cell counts, but after a few months this was reduced to checking every time I went fot the Remacide (every 8 weeks)

I suggest you search on this forum for Methotrexate, as there have been quite a few posts on this.

Methotrexate is a chemotheraphy drug and is used in lower doses for Crohns

Excerpt follows from a quick search on web:

Methotrexate can cause side effects on liver, lungs, kidneys, and bone marrow (immune system).

Use an effective form of birth control, whether you are a man or a woman. Tell your doctor if you or your sexual partner become pregnant during treatment.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

Posted 3/20/2008 4:11 AM (GMT 0)

I have been on Remicade every 4 weeks for the past 3 years and added methotrexate about 6 months ago.  I had originally been on 6-mp with remicade, but my liver functions tests kept coming back extremely elevated.  My Rheumy switched me to methotrexate injections and it has not been a good experience for me.  Everyone reacts different to medications, but methotrexate has been one of the hardest medications for me to deal with.  The nausea, headaches, fatigue, and abdominal pain make me wonder if it is really worth it.  Recently, I have been undergoing a lot of different test because I have had a lot of abdominal and back pain.  My blood tests came back with my liver enzymes elevated, along with my pancreas function elevated also.  My doctors have had me skip a week and then lower my dose for the past 2 injections.  I have a really strong feeling the I may be done with methotrexate.

I have spoken with several people who have had great results from the oral form, but for people with Crohn's disease the injection is supposed to be better.  Good luck, and make sure that you start the injections close to a weekend due to the chance of being sick for the first few times.

Posted 3/20/2008 3:11 PM (GMT 0)
I was put on it after getting off Remicade. Like tsitodawg, I didn't like it at all. After each injection (which I only had 2 or 3), I kept getting flu-like symptoms. I took myself off it. Shortly after I started the aphresis testing, then the Humira testing.....

I hope it does well for your son.

pup
Posted 3/20/2008 3:30 PM (GMT 0)

I too have been on Remicade, starting with Imuran which made my liver ill and then switched to Methotrexate.  I have had good luck with the Remicade after 4 years, but I hated the Methotrexate.  Finally after three years of taking it, my doctor took me off saying studies showed there was no benefit to taking it with Remicade.  Currently I just got over C Diff caused by Antibiotics and now am batteling an anal fissure.  Generally though I went a year feeling pretty good. 

Remicade, Nexium, Cymbalta

Posted 3/20/2008 3:32 PM (GMT 0)
I should mention too that the Methotrexate gave me flu like symptoms, gut problems and lower back pain. Glad to not be dealing with that anymore!
Posted 3/20/2008 5:25 PM (GMT 0)

Crohn'snme said...
.........an anal fissure.

Ouch! Sorry about that. I can think of few things that compare to that "exquisite" pain.
Posted 3/20/2008 11:11 PM (GMT 0)
MTX shots have been the best for me.
Posted 3/22/2008 8:34 PM (GMT 0)
I think mtx is a tool of the devil.  I have kidney and liver damage even tho I went in every month for my bloodwork and it was generally ok.  My GI thinks I've got drug induced hep but I'm scared of the biopsy to find out for sure.  I know it's helped some people but it's so toxic... I dunno.  Just have him be very, very careful and if he starts to have any flank pain--even if his creatinine is normal--make his dr switch him!  It also really messes with your stomach; the injections are a little better about that.  My dr made me take folic acid too because I got terrible canker sores with mtx.  I was on it for ankylosing spondylitis and it didn't really help a bit for that. 

Posted 3/22/2008 10:14 PM (GMT 0)
I too got terrible canker sore, however I didn't think about the Methotrexate causing it.  However, I haven't had any since I have been off.  Thanks for sharing. Oh and I too took Folic Acid with it.

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply