Methotrexate NOT the 'gold standard' for Psoriatic Arthritis

1. schurchill 3 September 2010 at 15:21PM
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   A major study funded by the UK Arthritis Research Campaign was published recently. It found that whilst Methotrexate could help with symptoms, it did not prevent the damage to joints as claimed by many 'experts', and was clearly not the wonder drug DMARD 'gold standard' of treatment described to us sufferers.. The study calls for different treatment to properly benefit patients.

   The report (as a PDF file) can be downloaded here: [url=http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=10&ved=0CFYQFjAJ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rheumatology.org.uk%2Fincludes%2Fdocuments%2Fcm_docs%2F2010%2Fh%2Fhall01_wed_0900_kingsley.pdf&rct=j&q=methotrexate%20psoriatic%20arthritis&ei=uO5_TImUCs6sONqy3JwO&usg=AFQjCNFCHDY-sqMpYl7sNu0FDicIstXsCA]ARC kingsley study[/url]

   I am now even more glad that I stopped taking this toxic drug after suffering bad side effects (posted elsewhere here). I gave it up against the advice of my Rheumatologist who had frightened and almost bullied me into taking it in the first place, and told me my joints would suffer if I stopped taking it. It seems he (and most Rheumatologists) were wrong.

   Good health and mobility to you all.

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2. cazzyjaz 9 April 2012 at 16:23PM

   Hi

   How can it be verified that this is genuine research? I am really concerned about this as I am on 25mg MTX a week for Psoriatic Arthritis.

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3. mia_sohma 3 May 2012 at 13:03PM

   I read on the net (and also was told by my Rheumatologist) that Leflunomide is more efficacious at controlling and treating the skin psoriasis associated with psoriatic arthritis compared to Methotrexate - but rheumatologists just love their methotrexate and it's usually their go-to drug for patients.

   I was originally on Methotrexate, but was taken off shortly after because I got the dosage wrong and my ALTs went through the roof due to taking it incorrectly. They put me on Leflunomide instead, and after a few months I had a bad flare up, at which point my rheumatologist put me on both Methotrexate and Leflunomide (my current medications).

   I personally have noticed a dramatic decrease in the severity of my psoriasis whilst on Methotrexate and Leflunomide. Just recently I treated my skin dilligently so that I could have my joint injected, and because I had almost beaten back the plaques, I stopped using it for a while (because I worry about overdosing on steroid cream). I noticed that whilst this 'while' dragged on for a few weeks, my skin did not worsen like it normally would and is still looking pretty good today!

   Um anyway, this whole post seems a bit irrelevant now, but I'm sure there was a point in there... Oh yes!! Whilst Rheumatologists generally prescribe Methotrexate, I was told first-hand by a number of Health Care Professionals specialising in Rheumatological problems that actually Leflunomide is more effective, and I found evidence to back this up by finding a medical journal online which said they had found similar results.

   I personally think they are both pretty good for me, but overall I prefer the leflunomide due to the fact that I've had more side-effects that can be attributed to methotrexate than to leflunomide. I would gladly come off the methotrexate tomorrow and given that since my injection my joints have been much less painful and I've been improving LOTS, I may just ask my rheumatologist to adhere to my wishes....

   Sorry for the wall of text ramble..

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