Taking MTX? Read this! | Arthritis Information

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/109869.php

OMG, what next?
I wonder what the incidence rate is for RA overall, not taking mtx into account. what does it say Well, I hope our resident medical researcher, Lynn49, will respond to this, she's fairly knowledgeable about a lot of research related to RA. I have heard of a possible increase in lymphoma for folks w/RA, but for me, my greater concern is becoming severly physically disabled. However, the article states:

"Numerous case reports of RA patients treated with MTX developing lymphoma and, even more strikingly, tumors disappearing when the drug was discontinued, have prompted concern that MTX itself may be carcinogenic. So far, however, studies addressing this concern have been inconclusive. "

As far as the higher incidence of melanomas for RAers on mtx, this study was conducted in Australia, which I believe has a high rate of skin cancer in the normal population - whom many are fair-skinned, outdoorsy folks, living in a very sunny environment. Bodak might confirm this.

I have been on mtx since 1986, I am rheumatoid factor positive. Prior to taking mtx, I spent a lot of time outdoors and could easily tan, but since taking mtx I am very sensitive to the sun and now easily burn. So I take precautions, avoid mid day sun, wear a hat and sunnies, sunblock, appropriate clothes, etc.

I've brought this subject up with my rheumatologist, and will continue to from time to time to see if there are any new developments, but for me right now, I will continue to take mtx as I understand, along with enbrel, it is most effective. For me, the benefit outweighs the risk.

melanoma was one of the cancers that the biiologic studies showed were at a increased incidence for people with RA than the general population. But more studies were needed on the individual cancers. Obviously this study is part of that follow up. I said even when the study came out I thought it was more likely due to the 1st line drugs plaquenil, sulphasalazine and methotrexate as each of those drugs cause photosensitivity

You gotta be careful in the sun even if you don't see visible burning and of course have a yearly skin cancer check

hi all ..thanks joie i have read about mtx and tumours dissapearing after
stopping.. allso mtx causing rheumatoid nodules to appeare. or get bigger
in variouse locations.. people whith ra can get cancers the meds can cause cancers
what is to be... is to be...

Boney
Always gotta weigh the risks and benefits. Someone who has mild disease and spends all their time outdoors might want to consider a different drug... but if the methotrexate allows you to get up out of bed and live your life, you might just want to grab some sunscreen and live a little. [QUOTE=Joie] Ummm, Bodak, I'm over here in California, so not familiar with Australianese -- what's a "wog"? Might it be an aborigine?

I've read the original study and for myself, I'm not real worried. Buckeye is right, MTX is well known for its photosensitivity. I used MTX for 8 years(just recently stopped) and I also spend a lot of time in the sun. I generally don't spend more than 15 to 20 minutes in the sun without putting on sunscreen.

Also I have to wonder how the numbers found in RA patients in Australia would correlate to people say in Michigan....I guess I need just a little more info.
Lynn492008-06-10 16:13:01 [QUOTE=Joie]Ummm, Bodak, "wog"? [/QUOTE]When younger, that's what people of any other colour (read, not of british stock) would be loosely called.
Because I would go extremely dark I got called wog and that other word you mentioned.

In this day and age we are not even allowed to mention such terms.

Bah Bag black sheep has been banned from kids books because of the word black.
No more Golly Wog, a kids toy doll that was popular many years ago.

Buckeye -

I don't think the sun sensitivity would be the reason per see. Minocin has photosensitivity as a 'precaution' and we have less of a chance of cancer and there's a ton of research out there now on (insert cancer name here) and Minocin because of it's anti-cancer properties. Some research actually says it stops cancer in its tracks.

So, my 'guess' would be sulphasalzine would enjoy the same benefits and possibly Plaq.

Pip

My ex-rheumatologist was shocked when I asked him after about six months on MTX, how long I would be on it. He said "the rest of your life". I knew that wasn't true because of the posts in here. justsaynoemore2008-06-10 17:35:31crap-reading that article was depressing. Just how it spelled out the rate of cancers you are more prone to just for having RA. When it already runs in your family- it makes you start feeling like it's a given...then you are meds that might increase the risks....It is interesting information, but based on the sample size, I'm not too worried. We can never have too much information though...

Phats[QUOTE=JasmineRain]Always gotta weigh the risks and benefits. Someone who has mild disease and spends all their time outdoors might want to consider a different drug... but if the methotrexate allows you to get up out of bed and live your life, you might just want to grab some sunscreen and live a little. [/QUOTE]

Pip

the major cause of melanoma and other skin cancers is sun damage. It s logical to assume that any medication that makes you more vulnerable to the UV rays would also then make you more vulnerable to melanomas

I know you believe that minocycline can do anything but I want to see specific citations for how it prevents melanoma before you make that claim