New here. Had PMR 6 mths now and got some queries | Arthritis Information

Hi all...SO glad I have found this site! 6 mths ago I had never heard of PMR until my diagnosis. Started off with 25 mg Pred (MAGIC !!)etc and it has been grad withdrawn now replaced with Methotrexate. When I started the Pred my doc said "you MAY put on a bit of weight!! What an understatement (and I bet u all agree). Now I am off Pred the weight is still there. For the last 6-8 weeks i have tried dieting and exercising etc etc and not one pound has budged. Does the MTX also keep the weight on?

THANKX to you all. Reading all yr letters is very interesting.Hello

I no longer have PMR but it was with me for 3 years that we know of. I was on pred for 1 year and yes it is very difficult to get the weight off. I have only just heard of them starting to treat PMR with MTX and I have no idea of it's side effects or how effective it is. Is it controlling the pain, that is the main question? This site is quite quiet right now but I am sure someone else will be along to have a chat with you.

Good luck to you.

Thanks for answering Pat. Yes the MTX is controlling the pain levels....the only side effect i can see is this continual weight gain. ...and was wondering if others have had this same problem or is it just me?

ellegee

You did not say whether it was by injection or tablets. Anyway here are side effects. I do not know any medication that comes without side effects, its a question of checks and balances and most people do not get all the side effects - just one or two.

Side Effects of Methotrexate - for the consumer

Methotrexate

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Methotrexate:

Acne; chills and fever; dizziness; flushing; general body discomfort; hair loss; headache; infertility; irregular periods; itching; loss of appetite; lowered resistance to infection; miscarriage; nausea; sensitivity to sunlight; sore throat; speech impairment; stomach pain; swelling of the breast; unusual tiredness; vaginal discharge; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Methotrexate:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); black or bloody stools; blood in the urine; bone pain; calf pain/swelling; change in amount of urine; chest pain; confusion; dark urine; diarrhea; dry cough; enlarged glands; fatigue; fever or chills; inflammation of the pancreas (stomach tenderness, nausea, vomiting, fever, increased pulse rate); irregular heartbeat; mental changes; mouth sores; muscle weakness; persistent sore throat; red, swollen, or blistered skin; seizures; serious infection (herpes, hepatitis, blood infection); trouble breathing; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual pain and discoloration of the skin; vision changes; vomit that looks like coffee grounds; yellowing of skin or eyes.

Methotrexate Tablets

Dizziness; headache; loss of appetite; mild hair loss; nausea; stomach pain or upset; tiredness; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Methotrexate Tablets:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); black, tarry stools; blood in the urine; calf or leg pain or swelling; change in the amount of urine; chest pain; coma; confusion; coughing up blood; dark urine; diarrhea; difficult or painful urination; dry cough; fever, chills, or sore throat; menstrual changes; mental or mood changes; mouth sores; one-sided weakness; red, swollen, peeling, or blistered skin; seizures; severe or persistent nausea or vomiting; shortness of breath; speech changes; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual pain and discoloration of the skin; unusual tiredness or weakness; vision changes or vision loss; yellowing of skin or eyes.
Always read the leaflets that come with your medication.

nrs UK

Hi M

Yikes Mrs UK....I was not aware of all these side effects. Thank you for being here and bringing this information.

You might also fill ellegee in on the survey that is in here and give her all the information that has been gleened about PMR and the research being done in the UK. Really great work.

Thanks again.

Hi I am new at using a chat room. I needed a lot of help from the nice people at this library to get this far.

Now then. I developed PMR symtom right after Thanksgiving '08. I didn't see a doctor until the end of March. My new RA doctor is taking me from 20mg of med a day to 5mg a day. I start on 5mg next Tuesday. Right now my body is going crazy! I know I am whining but it has been 6 mo since I had my old body and I am tired of this. Am I the only one who feel this way?

yes, i am with you, i didn't know i could tolerate being in pain every day, day after day. some days more than others, but still a real bummer for an active person. cant tell you when i was able to pick up something from the floor without squeaking in pain. hateful..........i am now on 2.5 mgm of pred, and cant seem to get any lower.Ellegee,

In regard to weight, I gained 25 lbs in six months!!!. I was diagnosed with PMR in January 2008 and went on Pred. Then in May I was diagnosed with RA also and put on Methotrexate. I got off the Pred and the MTX by August but still have ALL the weight!. The bad thing is that I still have joint swelling in my ankle so running is out and even walking for any length of time! Wish there was some miracle pill I coud take to lose these pounds, speaking of which I saw on the news yesterday that hydroxycut (for weight loss) is causing liver failure in people.