Angie, I have had an excellent experience with MTX. The only issue for me was when my taper on prednisone was at 17mg, my doctor wanted me to take 7 pills or 17.5 mg of MTX. I had watery, blurry vision, headache, some nausea and I just felt bad. I went back to 6 pills and felt fine. Today, I am at 9mg of prednisone and I am up to 7 pills again on MTX without any problems. Infact, it is almost like my body needs more MTX as I taper down. The secret is to adjust your medications with your doctor if you have any problems. The problems go away with the proper dosages. Do not be afraid. I think you will find MTX to be helpful. I take the pill form and not the injections. Good luck

Methotrexate is a chemotherapy drug. Typically it is used in very high doses to treat cancer. We are talking like 1500 mg daily. We take a very small dose to help control myositis. I think the average dose is 25-30 mg a week. So what you read online covers he gammit of dosing. They have to give you all the information regardless of dosing.

I starting having issues with nausea at 17.5 mg as well. I moved to an injection form. I give myself a shot once a week. I thought it was going to be hard but it isn't. The injection form is more easily absorbed by our body. Most people also experience less side effects. That was certainly the case for me.

So try not to get too wrapped up in what the internet says. While it has some side effects, it is less than steroids and many people tolerate it very well.

I'm tapering off my pred. and my MTX dosage is 20mg. I've been taking it before I go to sleep Saturday night. I'm finding less side effects. Sunday I'll be a little more tired and slight headache, I've never felt any nausea from it even when i took it in the morning. Make sure you do take Folic acid with it. I believe all of us who are on it do.

@Angie1026. I was scared but I started MTX too. I am currently taking 20mg of methotrexate. I do not have any side effects, never have. I am sensitive to a lot of meds too. On the day I take it, I take 4 pills with lunch and 4 with supper. I agree with lexisgirl about what you read on the internet(with the exception of this site). Most people who have no problems with a particular medication aren't sitting at their computer writing about it. People who are having a rough time are the ones usually online looking for answers too. My rheumy always tells me, she tells me all I need to know! LOL But I still search the net and try to take what I read with a grain of salt. Good Luck!

I have been taking methotrexate injections for 9 weeks. I was very scared at first, and I had some pretty rough day afters the first few weeks but it has gotten better. I have increased my dose to 25mg and the worst side effect is feeling flu-like for the next day. I take it at night then feel as though I sleep off the worst part. I do wake up with pain and thirst during the night, that lasts for about 12 hours for me. I no longer get the metal taste in my mouth and the nausea is almost nothing now. I was worried about the side effects, but like Lexis says, a lot of that list is for the people on higher doses. And sometimes I think those side effect lists are ridiculous, they list every possible thing that can go wrong (probably for legal reasons) and it usually includes the things you are taking the medication for in the first place! Did you ever hear the commercial for the depression medication.... they say "depression hurts... cymbalta can help (and I like to add 'or it can kill you'). I like to think the mtx is making me better and try not to think too much about the side effects. I am sensitive to meds too, I am allergic to sulfa and vicodin makes me jump out of my skin! If you try it and feel it isn't right for you, your doctor should be able to help you find an alternative. Love and Light,
Maruska

Angie,
Also remember that methotrexate is only one of several drugs that can substitute for prednisone. And all of them have fewer serious side effects than long-term prednisone does.

I coulnd't tolerate either oral or injectable mtx due to severe nausea, but I did fine on Imuran. Good luck!
~Lucky

That is for sure Lucky....i would hate to have to be on Medrol long term. Hopefully we will find a dose of mtx I can tolerate well that will work on continuing to make me better.