Prednisone vs. Methotrexate: Which is Worse?

[@Peaceisful]

10 months on prednisone, 3 1/2 years on Methotrexate. I have done well on a low dose of methotrexate only. We do what we need to. It has been a very good med for my GPA Vasculitis.

[@TalithiaLee]

I’m on both for SLE lupus

[@shawnintheclouds]

I took prednisone on and off over a 3 year period for my PSA in my forties and developed early onset cataracts.. I had surgery for that years ago. Im 62 now and my immune system is attacking me big time again these past couple of years so my rhumey decided to put me on methotrexate for a while. Thank you for sharing this information with us.

[@captainbuck5969]

How are you doing? I got cataracts taking prednisone eye drops. What is your RA maintenance dose with methotrexate?

[@shawnintheclouds]

@@captainbuck5969 I cannot remember the dose now as that was last year in the beginning of Oct. and on the 15th, two weeks after starting the methotrexate, I got covid so I had to stop taking it. I did not go back to that rhumey because I found him to be rude and dismissive unfortunately. Sad. I am with my former rhumey who was on maternity leave for a long time. The some doctors get upset with you when you wont take their favorite drugs. I dont want to do biologics anymore. I did that for about 5 years. But they are coming out with better drugs for us. I dont want to take a drug anymore where the side effect could be lymphoma! Not an acceptable side effect as far as Im concerned. Now I am fighting my insurance company to let my GP doc get an abdominal MRI. We suspect a couple of masses in my abdomen, plus I have much pain and inflammation and super fatiqued all the time more than my usual fatique. I may just have to have the MRI done and pay full out of pocket. Im sorry I couldnt remember the metho dose to tell you.

[@nancythewaterchick8181]

I have RA and Methotrexate gave me bowel cramps, a bad thing to have in public. Prednisone chubbed me up fast so I am now on 5mcg as needed, when I have a flare I grab 1 pill. I am so lost in the RA world. Exercise, eating right, meditating, and reducing stress helped more.

[@reneep9972]

I had the same bowel problems with Methotrexate, but only for two days after taking it. I would take Pepto-Bismol and it solves the problems. I love Methotrexate because it cleared up my psoriasis so much.

[@lf7065]

At this point I'm learning that you're far better off managing your health issues with a clean diet, proper rest and sleep, daily exercise and keeping stress as low as possible. I manage my condition this way, and if I need to I'll take OTC pain meds as an emergency resort. No more of these drugs for me! Way too many side effects. Both of them.

[@PrednisonePharmacist]

Amen sistah! That’s definitely the very best treatment option if your condition responds to it!

[@kathleencorrente5917]

My kidney Dr said staying on prednisone keeps him in business. Long term will effect the kidneys no doubt. we have to pick our battles

[@TygerBleuToo]

Methotrexate is not my friend. I have PsA which mainly hurts my lower back as well as inverse and scalp psoriasis. I really feel like I got worse with MTX. I’m also on 5mg of prednisone. I went off MTX in order to get vaccinations and three days later felt so much better. Less fatigue and far less pain. I may ask for a cortisone shot in my right hip, but I think MTX is a no go for me.

[@Dolphinicangel]

I have been on prednisolone for 2 years and just started methotrexate (day 3). I have not been able to leave my bed for any period of time. I am dizzy, nauseous, feel thirsty and dehydrated, hot sweats, brain fog, loss of appetite, stomach cramps and a possible UTI. I am hoping that these will get better. It was quite similar when I first started prednisolone, but I have gained so much weight on it, am now diabetic and have stomach issues. 😢

[@srihartati5975]

My doctor stop prednisolone and star use methotrexate for that reason

[@toddsmith1617]

Ive been taken 5 2.5mg once a week since 2017 for sarcoidosis and the worst side effect ive gotten is month sours.

[@karenjackson4729]

I’ve been taking a very similar regimen for 4 years and feel pretty good. I cannot taper off 2 mg without my C reactive protein shooting up.

[@katelist8367]

Methotrexate injections worked so much better than oral prednisone (far less side effects). Oral methotrexate did not work and caused gi upset big time. I'v taken prednisone and it does not work as well and it just raised my cortisol even higher than it already was and caused long term weight gain that i am having a terrible time loosing etc.

[@mechanic6682]

I gain weight on prednisone pills, but nit prednisone injections.

[@gizmosworld5855]

You have my full attention!! Do we need to worry about Methotrexate & the Devil’s Tic Tac? Can you please give us the websites where we can find the side effects of these meds? Webmd doesn’t count 😹😹. Gotta find the humor but seriously asking for a website or websites. Thank you Dr Megan!

[@PrednisonePharmacist]

Great question! My website has the most complete, ultimate, and even searchable list of prednisone side effects! prednisonepharmacist.com/side-effects-solutions/prednisone-side-effects/

[@PrednisonePharmacist]

Epocrates is an okay free source of side effect info.

[@deborahglover0112]

Thank you so much for this video. I started taking Methotrexate 2 months ago for Osteoarthritis. It is mainly for pain in my hip. I find that it doesnt take all thw pain away but enough so I can function. I havent had any issues as far as side effects are concerned. My doctor hasnt said anything about Prednisone at rhis point but she did refer me to a surgeon to discuss hip replacement. Right now I am trying to find out all options because I also have COPD and am obese. I was 244 lbs and in the last coup!e of months have dropped down to 219 lbs. I am trying to get myself healrhy again. If you have any suggestions please share them

[@faithf5846]

Look into PRP treatments which can be expensive but has a pretty good success rate for many people. Hip replacement can be beneficial once you have your weight in the good zone.

[@mechanic6682]

I always gain weight on oral prednisone, but not when I get injections in my hip.

[@conniechoward]

I took metho for my RA and it didn’t do anything but thin my hair. I was on prednisone and just got off 3 weeks ago to take Rinvoq. My hair is thinning like crazy and falling out.

[@areejmalik9892]

Hey I hope you've been doing well. I started methotrexate 2 months ago and my hair is falling like crazy. Can you tell me if your hair has grown back to normal after leaving methotrexate?

[@mariejacob6178]

You need to take a decent dose of folate.

[@mitrash6462]

Thanks what are your thoughts on low dose naltrexone? Also some rheumatologists suggest combination therapy, prednisone and metothrexate and sulfasalazine together. What do you think about that?

[@mechanic6682]

I've never heard of naltrexone used for anything other than opioid and alcohol addiction. I'm not a do tor, though.

[@faithf5846]

Lots of information on LDN on utube.

[@Mamma-Tex]

My rheumy gave me low dose naltrexone for RA

[@gale8246]

I took Prednisone for years, and it pushed me into diabetic range. Tore up my stomach, maybe caused or contributed to my cataracts and osteoporosis. My liver and kidneys are okay, but that may be because I eat a vegan diet. Prednisone is hard on you long-term.

[@kt8735]

Gosh i am confused. Started 5mg prednisolone 18 years ago when diagnosed with lupus. There was talk of coming off one day but that never happened. It gave me a mostly normal life. New dr has said my adrenals now don't work correctly without it. Now added methotrexate but i wonder if i can get off prednisolone anyway after all these years. Now feeling stuck on 3 meds (also take plaquenil) and originally my lupus and sjogrens described as mild 😢 is it too late to stop prednisolone?

[@PrednisonePharmacist]

Hi! it's not safe to just stop prednisone especially when you're on it for a long time. You can check out with our doctor if you are all good to stop the medication. You can check out this article "How to Taper Prednisone - Printable Taper Chart" which might be of help in your condition. View the full article here: prednisonepharmacist.com/side-effects-solutions/how-to-taper-prednisone/ For more information about prednisone, we have a bunch of content and articles that might be of help in your condition. You can browse our website at Prednisonepharmacist.com and discover ways to manage and counteract the side effects of prednisone.

[@kt8735]

@@PrednisonePharmacist thank you so much for this speedy reply, I genuinely was not expecting it! I appreciate your advice and will look into the articles and videos suggested. Many thanks

[@niyamikamulungu8868]

Am on methrotraxate since 2020, my question is , l was given osteomine tablets as well last week, now is the combination ok

[@dorisdixon7929]

They are not in the same class

[@ushasathebajee6732]

I hv mild sjogren n mild lupus , I'm on prednisolone since 23 yrs but very small dose 5mg , only when flare up then take 20 mg , I'm 59 yrs I I'm fine ,all said I'm looking younger than my age that I'm 40. But now my Dr insist to take methotrexate. I'm allergic to all antibiotics, imuran, plaquenil. Taking methotrexate 7.5 mg I was so sick OMG can't explain. Hv stopped it. But thinking of taking only 2.5 mg . Will it work. Tomorrow is my appointment, let see what my rheumatologist suggest me. Thank you

[@melloniepatcheak6509]

I started and stopped methotrexate several times and at different doses. I kept losing weight, being sick, overall feeling like I was being poisoned. I tried all of their poisons, prednisone has been the only one with absolutely 0 side effects. I know it's terrible for you, however you have to get off the couch.

[@Alpine77]

Have you had a bone density test? That’s why I’m trying to get off 15 yrs daily 5mgs - osteopenia

[@markantrobus8782]

Endocannabinoids from prednizolone.

[@niyamikamulungu8868]

Cam methotrexate be taken at the same time with osteomine tablets

[@ballerman22345]

Can we be a little more positive for those of us who has to take this crap? How about which is better?

[@PrednisonePharmacist]

Thank you for the feedback! I’d say methotrexate is better than prednisone…

[@genevieve-gh3lp]

Toxic

[@mr.luchileeroy93]

You must get lip injections huh...because it's a delay in your lip movements?

[@PrednisonePharmacist]

I’m not sure what you mean but I’ve never had lip injections. I do frequently get canker sores so that could be what you’re observing.

[@davidellsworth9136]

⁠thank you my friend! I appreciate your kindness.

[@dorisdixon7929]

I didn’t even have to listen One of the Temptations died because he only took prednisone prednisone will do nothing to help with RA and it will only get worse