MTX without prednisone

[Kami]

Hello! I am just getting off of Pred. I have been on MTX since Feb or March of 2010, 20 mg now and I will be completely off the prednisone next week. I am hoping that I can stay off of it for awhile. Keep in mind that I was diagnosed a little over 2 years ago so this has been a long time coming.

[KathyB]

Woohoo on getting off prednisone! I so hope it's in my future!! I'm still in my first six months of WG and know I have to take it slow and be realistic, though!

[Psyborg]

Congrats on the Prednisone. I go to 5mg tomorrow.

[Sangye]

Congratulations, Kami!

[vdub]

I don't think being on mtx alone is particularly unusual. What would be truly unusual is if any of us had the same treatment.

I was on mtx alone, but then I was on hydorcortisone at the same time because of the stupid pit issue. I'm not sure if that made a difference or not. I'm not sure if the hydrocortisone was a replacement of the other *sones.... In fact, I don't think I was ever on pred except for a one-time bout of psoriasas. I was on an alternative to prednisone that the brain surgeons seem to be particularly fond of for a while, but I don't recall the name of the substitute -- believe it started with a D, tho.

One thing that I have discovered is that I don't know a whole lot about this disease, or it's treatment, even though I have studied everything I can about it. The doctors know way more about it than I do, so I follow their advice.

[maria garcia]

We go to the doctor this week we will see how what they do about her meds. I spoke to her eye doctor and he said they will probably put her MTX higher and keep her of the prednisone. We will see what rheumy decides.

[Kami]

Thank you everyone for the good wishes!!
Good luck Garcia's!

[NicShaf]

If not for a little slip up in November, I would be starting MTX this week Pred free. Unfortunately, I had to bump back up to 5mg (from 3mg) and now I'm at 3mg again. But, my understanding was that it is OK to be switched to MTX or another maintenance drug without Pred as long as your symptoms are under control.
I agree with what others have said, I think 10mg to 5mg is too fast. I tapered differently, just a straight drop to the next rung, but I went from 10mg to 7.5mg to 5mg within about 6 weeks, and then I've been tapering 1mg per month since then.