Remicade and Methotrexate Questions

Dear Fellow Patients

I have been suffering with Chrohns for nearly two years at least. 

My GI Doctor just began me on a combitnation therapy of both 5mg of Remedicaide every eight weeks and

25 mg of Methotrexate every week via self adminstered muscle injections.  Has anyone else been on this medical regiment before.   To date, I have not responded well to other tradional therapies, and this seems to be my last hope with pharmacy products before serious surgery most be considered.

Would love to hear from all of you about success, not successful experiences and  side effects and anything else to be aware of.  Thank you so very much.

 

_____________

Post edited to include topic title for more responses :)

Post Edited By Moderator (AlwaysRosie) : 5/20/2008 11:31:12 AM (GMT-6)

Hey, after my first surgery my GI put me on remicade and it helped for a little while but wore off leading me to remicade after remicade. Eventually I was out of remission and after failing to control my CD despite surgery, I had a 2nd surgery. They put me on methotrexate and since then I've been in remission. Absolute wonder drug in my opinion, I haven't been on remicade with it though. If you drink, keep it to a bare minimum because methotrexate is very harsh on the liver as you will have to have your liver level checked every so often. When I first started taking it, I felt nausish but it only lasted for a day or so. Besides the liver, no real serious side effects on my side. Another side note, I took methotrexate in capsule form not injectable. If you can ask about the capsule if you have a had time with the injections. Good luck, hope it worked as well on you as it did for me!

I have done both remicade and mtx...originally, used them at different times, not as a combination as you've described. Later, I had problems with a rash all over my arms and neck (not a reaction to remicade or anything else...caused by the crohns). My dermatologist put me on mtx (still getting remicade for the crohns itself), and the mtx did help the rash for a while. It didn't do anything for my gut, though. I have used both the oral meds and given myself shots.

I think it may be difficult to tell which drug is effective if you began them at the same time??

Hope that helps!

Hi Seekinganswers,
I take 25mg MTX weekly and have been doing so for 2 years now. I havent done the Remicade - yet - so I dont know much about that. The MTX helps with my AS more than I think with the Crohns as when I went off it for two weeks last year for a resection my bones screamed. I do remember my Gastro saying that if I did the Remicade thing I would still be taking the MTX as they compliment each other. Sorry Im not much help.
Take care
Jo