Children using Methotrexate???

• By GirlWithArthritis
• Reply 3756844
• January 30, 2013 at 4:46 pm
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Hi!
I've heard of very many children taking very low dose Methotrexate for Psoriasis. It helps some of them, of course you won't know until you try. I took it for Psoriatic Arthritis when I was about eleven or twelve, and I did get fatigue and nasuea however I probably had a higher dose than what your son might be perscribed.
With 90% of his body being covered, Methotrexate just might help get that number lower: Zero sounds pretty good to me. Of course, it is up to you and his doctor.

• By hmsinclair
• Reply 3757743
• January 30, 2013 at 9:06 pm
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I have also heard of a few kids taking MTX, but they are few and far between. I did a look on the National Psoriasis Foundation's site as they tend to have fairly up to date information, and they have a specific link related to treatment for children with psoriasis.http://www.psoriasis.org/learn_childtreatment I would really try to find a pediatric rheumatologist and or dermatologist to get advice on this. It's a complicated disease when you are dealing with adults, but when you are talking about a child who has their whole life and future fertility to consider you really want to know your specialist is on top of the game for kids and the disease.

Good luck!

• By ragtopmax
• Reply 3757778
• January 30, 2013 at 9:13 pm
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Hi obrien821; when I was 11 years old with my p being very severe I was started on methotrexate. I believe it was 15 mg per week. I did not stay on it very long due to extreme nausea & vomiting. This was many years ago & no-one knew about taking folic acid to combat some of the effects. I don't know if it would have helped my p since I didn't stay on it long enough to find out. This was 38 years ago; & later on I did read about effects on fertility from methotrexate when researching for my own infertility issues (I did successfully conceive). Get as much info as possible before making a decision.

• By obrien821
• Reply 3758020
• January 30, 2013 at 10:25 pm
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Treatment for children with P is a lot more difficult to find treatments for, but I'm definitely doing my research. I wanted to get an idea from others though, as well. I'm hoping the dermatologist will be able to give him something to start the remission process, however, I want to be smart and safe about it. I don't want him taking anything that will create problems down the road. What other treatments are out there for children other than topicals? I'm not having much luck finding much.

• By obrien821
• Reply 3758055
• January 30, 2013 at 10:39 pm
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I appreciate everyone's feedback. Thank you!

• By amit32
• Reply 3758470
• January 31, 2013 at 3:31 am
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I don't know the details for the question asked, but plz do get his vitamin D checked.

• By ragtopmax
• Reply 3758525
• January 31, 2013 at 5:20 am
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obrien821, my parents also had purchased a sunlamp for me when I was a teenager. This did help tremendously but like everything else-- took some amount of time before I saw any results.

• By stutterbug
• Reply 3762305
• February 1, 2013 at 7:39 am
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I would take your son to a knowledgeable rheumatologist instead of a dermatologist.

• By Mundi
• Reply 3766880
• February 2, 2013 at 2:04 pm
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I was on MTX for about 6 months. I am a full grown adult and it sort of worked, but made me VERY sick. It tears down your immune system in a pretty serious way. Also it does some liver damage. I twisted my wrist when I had been on it for about two months, and my wrist never fully recovered until I was off of it for about three weeks. Healing takes allot longer, and it can have some long term effects. I will say it cleared about 8% of my psoriasis, and held it there through a winter.
I could suggest Neutorgena t-gel (It has coal tar in it) for his daily soap, it's the only thing I used that didn't make things worse. Evening primrose and vitamin e added to melted organic coco butter chips and applied helped me sleep more comfortably. Dead sea salt bath, and of course, playing out in the sun (which will help with Vitamin D in the instance that he does go on MTX)!

• By obrien821
• Reply 3766990
• February 2, 2013 at 2:48 pm
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I have decided against using any biologics for him right now. I just feel he is too young for anything like that and don't want to create any future problems for him due to side effects. Call me dumb, but what can a Rheumatologist do for him? More so, what does that type of doctor do? I've always thought since it is a skin condition he would be better with a Dermatologist. I'm open to suggestions and learning what has worked for others. I'm considering the uvb treatment. I think it would be a better route to go right now.

• By maryfromyonkers
• Reply 3767523 · In reply to 3766990 by obrien821
• February 2, 2013 at 6:15 pm
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Hello obrien821. I must admit I was a little bit shocked to read that you were quite concerned about taking gluten out of his diet, but seemingly had no qualms about the possibility of him going on Methotrexate! Removing gluten would certainly be less of the two evils here. As an adult I reacted very badly with side effects from the medications, so I would hate to imagine a young still growing child to go through the same thing. Methotrexate can increase of lymphoma / cancer. Bad enough when you are an adult in your 40's or 50's, but would be a devastating life sentence in childhood. I would learn all you can first and try everything else you can first, and only use serious medications like Methotrexate as a very last resort. Of course that is just my opinion; you as the mom and care provider must make your own decisions based on your sons well-being. I am having good clearance results with the Dr Fuhrman program and he has written books for children too: http://www.drfuhrman.com/children/default.aspx OR http://www.drfuhrman.com/success/SuccessStory.aspx?id=694

• By obrien821
• Reply 3767637 · In reply to 3767523 by maryfromyonkers
• February 2, 2013 at 7:05 pm
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maryfromyonkers, it was more of just a question as I've read other children have taken it. However, after doing more research on it and trying to make a good decision when it comes to my son and his P, I think trying a different route would be best. He is just too young for all the other meds. We aren't new to P, but we are when it comes to trying anything other than topicals. The autumn/winter season this year has been the worst for him. I do have to say that gluten - free items a so expensive!! Hard to buy all you need when on a budget, but got a few things today to get him started. Will probably be a gradual process to replace all he eats. However, being a kid, it will be difficult to keep him on such a strict diet, but I'm going to do what I can for him. Us moms will move mountains for our kids!!

• By stutterbug
• Reply 3768548
• February 3, 2013 at 6:44 am
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@obrien821: I suggested seeing a rheumatologist because in extreme cases of psoriasis, many dermatologists refer their patients to rheumatologists. psoriasis is an autoimmune disease, involving an over active active auto immune disease. This is very different than other skin conditions that dermatologists are are sought after. Your sons skin isn't the core problem, his immune system is. Many rheumatologists have more experience in dealing with methotrexate and biologic medications, they simply see more patients that require these meds. I am sure some people will disagree, that a dermatologist is fine. It's a personal decision.

I will tell you this, a dermatologist removed a mole off of my back that required stitches. This dermatologist knew I was on methotrexate and Humira, which reduces my ability to fight off infections. I questioned whether it was safe, she said yes. My instincts told me to run, I ignored them. she dug a hole in my back and stitched it up. My rheumatologist said that doctor should have NEVER instructed me that it was safe, it wasn't. I should have been taken off my meds for awhile so my immune system was more active and able to fight an infection if one arose.

I think the problem is that many dermatologist may only see a few patients with psoriasis and don't have the experience with these meds that a rheumatologist does, being that rheumatologist treat many other disease with these meds. Good luck with you son.

• By jerseyboy76
• Reply 3770111
• February 3, 2013 at 4:40 pm
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here is a link to an article you should read. Then go to the site for the doctor. I've had to deal with meds and doctors since an early age, been overdosed on drugs and lost fourteen years of my life due to problems caused by drugs. What most parents and doctors never realize is what the drugs are truly doing. Don't want to waste your time with long stories of my past conditions. Lets just look at helping your son.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mark-hyman/is-there-a-cure-for-autoi_b_756 937.html

Psoriasis can have many causes. After years of personal medical studies I strongly believe the best cure is to find the cause. treating symptoms can go on forever. The doctor in the video practices the same ideas and has been quite successful.

• By Jameelksa
• Reply 3770222 · In reply to 3770111 by jerseyboy76
• February 3, 2013 at 5:19 pm
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Totally agree with "jerseyboy76".
Simple and common examples include
1. Pain killer will temp. shut-off feeling pain from brain rather killing the reason 'Why'
2. In Diabetic, insulin is injected rather dealing with coz 'Liver' and list goes on ...