Hi David,

Yep!  That's Methotrexate.  I am doing shots at home--I do two shots
each Wednesday,10mg each.    

I'm glad you have a doctor that's so concerned about prednisone.  It's
not a good drug to rely on, but I know deep down that I may very well
have to rely on it many more times in this life.
And so will others here.  

In my opinion, each person really has to determine whether the benefits
outweigh *their* risks.  Some take prednisone for awhile & never see the
awful side effects, but it can take the next person by surprise & damage
their kidneys or cause glaucoma.   If you can keep your immune system
controlled with MTX & Planquenil, then that's always the way to go.
However, if you ever flare in such a way that the meds aren't working
anymore & you are deteriorating quickly & can barely walk etc., then
prednisone can miraculously bring you back around until you get a new
drug in your system.  

In my case, I have autoimmune hearing loss & each time I use prednisone,
or go off of it rather, my eye(s) become inflamed.  So, that's why I
avoid it at all costs.  But, if the MTX doesn't kick back in & save me,
I'd rather go ahead & take the prednisone because I know what happens if
I don't.  

Hope that helps.  We had a discussion about prednisone not too long ago
& there was a good link that Nina provided for side effects.  I'll see
if I can find it before I try to go back to sleep. : )

Maggie


 

Got it!

http://www.orthop.washington.edu/arthritis/medications/corticosteroids/01

There's several pages, so just keep clicking on "next" to get to the
side effects.  I think it was page 4 or 5 for side effects.  Lots of
good info though.

Maggie