I have been diagnosed with a rare, supposidly debilitating, autoimmune disease called polymyositis. I also have MS. The doctor has prescribed methotrexate for the polymyositis. It is supposed to suppress my immune system. Does anyone know if it will also help my MS? Do I still need to take Copaxone?

I know my old MS specialist neurosurgeon, who I lost when he went to become head of Johns Hopkins MS center was experimenting and researching it. Marc (Wheelchair Kamikaze blog) tried it, but he may have PPMS or not. There are some doubts. Didn't help him.

I know someone who is on it for polymyositis...I also know some MS patients have taken it...ask your neuro...and maybe some internet site will be able to clarify...

no advice, just hugs. please contact your neuro or PCP for advice on your specific case. We are all so individual and rare with each of our cases. what may be right for me, may really mess you up. I hope you find answers.

First of all, so sorry for you to have to deal with 2 problems! However; when you go to the doc....load up with the same kind of questions you ask here.
Ask what is the best treatment for each disease and will any one treatment actually benefit the other disease? Will one treatment hinder the other? Make the doc explain what each med is doing to your body and how do they relate to each other.

My mom had scleroderma and cervical cancer. She had a total hystorectomy but given no replacement hormones because that type of cancer does not react well to hormones.
However; hormones help scleroderma so her scleroderma went wild. They opted to begin hormone treatment again earlier than planned due to the racing scleroderma problems.
You just don't know how things intermingle and its soooo important to learn as much as you can so you can ask the really big questions. Make them explain EVERYTHING to you so you can walk away feeling satisfied with the answers and your course of treatment.
Again, I am so sorry you have to face these things.....