Myasthenia Gravis Support Group

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a neuromuscular disease leading to fluctuating muscle weakness and fatiguability. The hallmark of myasthenia gravis is muscle weakness that increases during periods of activity and improves after periods of rest. Although myasthenia gravis may affect any voluntary muscle, muscles that control eye and eyelid movement, facial expression, and...

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bdmcguirk 10/17/2013

Hi everyone,

I just found this website and am amazed at the community! I'm thankful to have found y'all

I was diagnosed with mg this past spring. Initially I was put on mestinon and a good dose of prednisone. I'm down to 20 mg prednisone, every other day, and I'm still on mestinon, 60 mg three times a day. My doctor put me on imuran, but I'm allergic to it and had to stop. My new medication is methotrexate. Have any of you been on this? What about side effects?

Tim62 10/18/2013

I have no knowledge about Methotrexate, but welcome to the group. There are plenty of kind, knowledgeable folks here. I'm sure you will get some information soon. Wishing you all the best going forward.

txkiki53 10/18/2013

Welcome,
I have been on everything else,,,, they mentioned this May be next. So I am interested also.

Annette

skidoomt 10/18/2013

Hi - This may be a repeat as I thought I posted it.
I take 15 mg one time per week. Methotrexate is a chemo drug that also suppresses the immune system. I also did not respond to Imuran. I take Cellcept and Prednisone (30mg.) and IVIG every third week. I have not gotten any side effects from the Methotrexate - but have not yet been able to lower my prednisone dose. It is keeping me from a higher prednisone dose - I have had cataracts and now have osteopenia. I am refractory. Make sure you get enough folic acid too - or you will more than likely get mouth sores.(I take a prescription dose.) Without the total cocktail - I do not function well at all. OK - I don't get out of bed without this cocktail. Methotrexate was the last addition - its been the stabilizing agent. No progress but stable.

Watch for the side effects and track your symptoms -- good luck. barb

revelationman1911 10/18/2013

MY WIFE TAKES IT FOR RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS.....USUALLY THE DAY AFTER SHE IS VERY TIRED AND HURTS ALL OVER,,,BUT NOTHING MORE THAN THAT. HOPE IT HELPS YOU. SHE ALSO HAS TO HAVE A BLOOD TEST FOR HER LIVER EVERY SO OFTEN. SHE TAKES THE INJECTION ONCE A WEEK, SHE PREFERS THE SHOT OVER THE PILLS.

TERRY

bdmcguirk 10/18/2013

Barb,

Thanks for the info. Your situation seems similar to mine. I'll be on 24mg of methotrexate once a week and 2mg folic acid daily. I need to call my doctor for a prescription for the folic acid. My doctor did mention that hopefully the new medication would allow me to get off prednisone. I'm optimistic.

Barbara

megan2626 10/18/2013

I don't know anything about your new med, but welcome!

deleted_user 10/20/2013

I've been on methotrexate (MTX) for the last 5 years to keep my RA under control. my RA is now practically in remission so I'm taking it primarily to keep my MG under control. I take at least 1 mg of folic acid daily and I've not had any problems or side effects. It actually does a nice job of relieving my MG symptoms at 8 pills (20 mg) once a week. It's a heckuva lot cheaper than cellcept or imuran so research is being done into using MTX as a mainstay MG treatment in countries that can't afford expensive medications.

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