Lupus Support Group

Lupus is an auto-immune disease in which the immune system cannot distinguish between threats (like viruses and bacteria), and healthy cells and tissue. As a result, the body produces antibodies that inflict cell damage, most commonly targeting joints, skin, kidneys and the nervous system. Join the group and find support for coping with lupus.

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Plaquenil....Adding Methotrexate....?

Northernelf
Northernelf
I am currently on Plaquenil 200mg 2x a day, but only for a month so it hasn't kicked in yet. My internist wants me back in July and wants to add methotrexate. I had a positive ANA and he sent me for more blood work - dsDNA, C3/4 complement, Anti Sm, etc. He said if it was Lupus it was a mild form - stay out of the sun (decrease flares, decrease damamge). :( He would have put me on prednisone - which has worked well in the past - but I didn't want that. My pain (joints, muscles, tendons) is higher than normal but I am hoping I can modify my activities to ease things up. Ugh.

I/We have been trying to figure this out for almost 4 years...3 docs "think" it's Lupus...I only just got a positive ANA result.

Anyway, my question is about the MTX. What doseage are people on ? Pills or needles ? I want to request injections - I have a sensitive tummy (celebrex, naproxen, even ibuprofen are not good!). I also have CVID (immune deficiency) so I already inject plasma 5x a week...needles are no big deal. Are there less side effects with injections than pills ??
deleted_user
deleted_user
Good questions. Are you having symptoms that they don't want to wait until the Plaquenil kicks in?
gardenchic
gardenchic
I started on pills for the methotrexate but because I had such a high dose, my tummy got sensitive fast. We quickly switched me to injections (1ml sub q per week) and I tolerate it much better. no tummy issues except slight nausea when I do the injection. I take it right before bed and sleep through the worst of it though. the next day I'm usually wiped, but its been working for 7 years now. *knocks wood*. good luck!
Northernelf
Northernelf
My symptoms mostly are around joint pain and fatigue...but my tendons (bottome of feet, achiles, shoulders) and muscles are also 'grumpy'...GI issues, feeling like I'm about to get sick with colds or more a lot. My take on it was that prevention was the best way to go - preventing things form escalating into more serious issues, where permanent damage may occur. I have had so many pneumonias that I think my lungs area bit affected. I get headaches, sinus pain...ugh.

I always feel like I am in limbo, trying to figure this all out. I guess the pain and fatigue just gets a bit worse every year - I dread winter, cold...things are progressing. Maybe waiting to July is also to see if the Plaquenil will help enough first ?
deleted_user
deleted_user
I have lupus since 11/2010 been on methotrexate by injection .80 ml once a week and take presodine every day 7.5 mg since 2010 and its been very good for me the side effects were bad for the first year until my body got used to it been off it once for three weeks for antiobotics then back on in those 3weeks the pain came back very strong every time I have to stop it the pain comes back so in short it works very well for me good luck and take care