Hi the doc stopped my Imuran due to stomach pain. I am now on Methotrexate 2 pills one time a week. The side effects of this drug sound scary. I have been feeling extra tired. What happens if none of the drugs work on you?

Barbara, I'm not and don't have experience with it, sorry.

It's a tough situation to be in. I don't know what to say. Have you tried IVIG or plasmapheresis? Both are not without risk.

I hope you and your docs can figure out a way to make your MG better without causing more problems.

Annie

Thanks Annie. I don't have any insurance and have never tried these other things. I heard they help tremendously but I probably couldn't afford it. What would happen if I didn't take meds for it. Would it continue to get worse?

I can only speak about my own experience. I rely on Mestinon (90 mg. every 3 hours) and coffee. Coffee seems to give me a boost in the afternoons, just enough to get done what I need to. I can't do immunotherapy. I have not tried IVIG but would like to (long story).

For me, it's about managing with activity alternating with rest. It's depressing as H@!! but it's what my life is. There are signs that I am getting worse as of late but it's so hard to say what will happen in your case.

It would probably be better if others who have experience with those drugs comment on it.

I'm sorry you don't have insurance. I wish they would've tried for some kind of public option but most people don't understand the trade off of that with "spending."

Annie

Isn't methotrexate generic for Cellcept? If so, I've been on it for almost 11 years (3000 mg/day) and I'm not having any problems that I can relate directly to it.

Nope, Methotrexate is not the same as Cellcept. Methotrexate is a drug often used for things like psoriasis or lupus or cancer. It comes with some nasty side effects. If have any history of cancer, you need to let your provider know of that beforehand because immunotherapy can bring on some cancers or make existing ones worse.

Hi, I've been on Methotrexate for about 3 months. I had the stomach problems when I first started taking it. When I called the doc they gave me a prescription for folic acid. The doc's assistant told me that many people have the stomach thing and that folic acid help. It helped me. I am taking methotrexate mainly for psoriasis, but I also have ulcerative colitis and wide spread tendonitis. I'm starting to think I have Lupus. Anyway, I am a little tired but the tummy problems cleared up with the folic acid and I'm sure to always take my meds with a full meal, not just a few crackers.
Hope you feel better soon.