I took my daughter to the Rheumy yesterday. He's willing to follow her and feels that there probably is a autoimmune disease. Does he know the name of it? No

He said he has no problem treating her for her symptoms.

He hates that she has to be on steroids to regain her hearing.

His suggestion is to start her on methotrexate. I'm suppose to talk with her ENT doc, talk with my daughter and basically figure out if we want to proceed this way.

So I'm asking you guys. What is your opinion on methotrexate for autoimmune disease?

What experience have you had with this drug and was it a favorable outcome?
Were there any bad side effects?

Thanks for any input you can give me.
DAY

Hi Day

I am on Imuran a similar chemo med, and have been for about 5 yrs off and on. I take it 3 times/day. For me it has no real side effects that I've noticed, and I usually get s/e. When I was off them, my sx really increased.

I tried methotrexate in '06 as several in my MS group had been on it and were holding steady. It is a low dose and taken once a week. It is the prefered chemo drug in CO. I didn't notice any s/e either.

Shortly after starting it, I had a mild siezure, and stopped taking it. Turns out it was a coincidence, the med start and siezure. I've got a leison in my brain that seems to trigger siezures. I'll always be on anti-siezure meds now.

I think it is great alternative to the CRAB meds (I've tried 3 of the 4). THT

I did ask the Rheumy about seizures. My daughter has a seizure disorder, but has not had a seizure in about 3 yrs.

He said he could not tell me that the methetrexate would not cause a seizure.
He said many many meds can cause seizures.
He did state that it would not make her seizure meds less effective.

She takes Depakote 500mg, Depakote 250 and keppra 150mg.

It will be Monday before I can get in touch with the ENT. He took his family to Colorado for spring break. Suppose to be back in the office on Monday.

DAY

WOW thats quite a load of heavy-duty meds for your daughter. How old is she?

My 1st rheumy put me on Methotrexate treating me for the differential of sjogren's a mimic of MS. It made me tired and kinda sick, not bad but I just didnt want to do anything for the weekend I took it. I only needed to take it once a week. So.. I eventually got off. Besides you have to have blood draws each time you see the Rheumy to check for toxic levels.

BUT.. while getting off of it ( I was weaned) I noticed that for the first time my leg muscles were not hard and tight from the spasticity. I guess it helped and I didnt notice it.

My 2nd Rheumy (the first one moved) didnt agree with her DX anyhoo... so I would not be on anything. Geez

Good luck but I would weigh this one out if this is a child.

Nice to SEE you my dear

Warmly Jan

I was on methotrexate shots for about a year in combination with Betaseron to treat my MS. I titrated up from .4 cc to 1 cc over a period of 4 months and was sick each week the day of the shot. Flu-like symptoms and then each titration I was sicker...

The purpose of the MTX was to break the exacerbation cycle I was in. I was having exacerbations every 3 months. After the year, it didn't work and I was so sick that the rheumy that was monitoring me decided that it just wasn't worth it. My white count was hovering at the low normal level and my platelet count had started to decrease.

They also had me take folic acid along with the MTX.

I know that there are a lot of people who take MTX for MS therapy and have had good luck with it...I just wasn't one of those people...I happen to be one of those med sensitive people.

I think Kinch52 takes it...and you might want to post something on the medications forum asking about it as well.