methotrexate - psychological effects?

[Freya1]

Hi Tom

I was on MTX (on and off) for about 7 years and didn't notice any psychological issues at all.  Like many of us on here I've had bouts of depression in the past; for me the MTX worked well initially on my p and this had a really positive effect on me and my confidence levels. 

Being clear of p made me far more confident and positive

Freya

[tomjoyce]

Thanks again for all of your replies. I just thought I would post an update.

Having been off acitretin and taking methotrexate for 6 weeks now it seems to be making an excellent impression on my psoriasis.
As far as I can tell I have no side effects apart from occasional nausea, which is nothing at all compared to acitretin...
I am pretty lucky to have such a good response.

The only problem is when i told my dermatologist how much i am drinking a week she was absolutely appalled and became very reluctant to prescribe more unless I promised a dramatic reduction.
She really hit the point home about how incompatible alcohol and mtx are, and that she won't prescribe them again if I can't sort things out.

It would be such a shame to have to give up such an effective and well tolerated drug, so i am determined to succeed, but it will not be easy and i will have to be honest unless i want liver failure....

cheers

[PNOKC]

Was your doctor doing labs on you? Im surprised your liver enzymes weren't through the roof if you were drinking a lot on MTX..

Im on MTX, too. And for me, the worst part is not being able to drink. Not that I am an alcoholic, but I like to drink a few beers 3 or 4 nights a week. The derm said it's ok to drink in moderation, but from doing research online about MTX, I know it's not a good idea. The Psoriasis is bad enough, I don't want liver problems, too.

[tomjoyce]

I have had weekly blood tests, but they kept coming back fine despite the drinking.
The doctor said that I was lucky not to be having problems now, but that it would be pretty much a certainty if i carried on drinking lots and taking MTX.
I think that I need to be very careful, and if i can't manage it be honest and give up the mtx.   

[smarty]

Hi Tomjoyce, I was on methotraxate for about 3 years and realised things were not what they should have been put I couldn't put my finger on what was wrong. I didn't want to think  I may be depressed but thought it a posibility . I make a point of not looking at the side effects before I take a medicine just in case I imagine I have them. Anyway, I wasn't responding particularly to methotraxate and felt worse than usual during the winter when my Psoriasis always got worse. I looked at the side effects list, and depression was there. That actually made me feel better to know  I wasn't going mad. At that point, i decided I owuldn't continue to take this beyond my next specialist appointment. I changed to leflunomide which was no better. I am now on golimubab (for arthritis and psoriasis) and this has had a dramatic effect. My psoriasis disappeared completly almost overnight from starting in August last year and this week I have stopped taking painkillers as well. To cut a long story short, I am so happy at not having psoriasis and being able to get around practically pain free, that I have no time to be depressed! Long may it continue  Martin

[smose]

Been on MTX for just over a year now on 25mg with no side effects - I have got depression but it wasn't made worse by MTX. SUlphalazine on the other hand!

Martin - I have just started golimumab (2doses so far) and very pleased with the results, I don't have P but my arther has been so much better.

[John Boy]

i have been on MTX on an on for years last lot started Oct/09 and still on 10mg have battled with the big D for some years
Mtx was not the main cause of the big D but it did not help

John