Methotraxate for my little guy?

[jess_mama]

I've written here before and got such great help, I was hoping others could offer some advice again. Evan is six, and for the past few months he has been on Pentasa/VSL#3 for his colitis (not sure yet whether it is UC or crohn's). Two weeks ago, he started flaring after about a month of remission. The GI started him on Flagyl, which made his diarrhea worse, and finally started another round of Prednisone. Yesterday we went for his follow and the GI wants to start him on Methotrexate, 7.5mg. After reading all of the warnings about this med, specifically related to kids, I'm almost in a panic attack over this now. I am so torn, because I am scared he will end up sicker than he is now due to side effects.
Can anybody here offer some of your opinions on Methotraxate use in young children? Have your kids tried it? Did it work? Are there any alternatives that carry fewer side effects?
Thank you for reading.
~Jess

 

[my little penguin]

DS was on Mtx last summer.
He was eight at the time.
Folic acid is important to take with it.
My son was ver tired with it - the day after but he was also on high dose pred almost the entire time so he is not a good example. He had more inflammation that was autoimmune like and not necessarily crohn's like -( vasculitis - recurring)
It was worth a try for him but in his case he needed remicade .

 

[Sascot]

Sorry to hear you are having to make these decisions. I agree the side effects are scary, but it sounds like your poor boy needs something stronger. I have to say that as meds go Methotrexate doesn't seem any worse than most of the others when it comes to side effects. The only one that seems less scary is LDN but that is one that GI's tend to vary on - some are willing and others not.
Hope whatever they choose works well to get him feeling better.

 

[AZMOM]

Jess - Claire is on MTX now at 9. But she was on it the first time at age 4 after her arthritis diagnosis. Your doc will (an of course you!!!!) watch him closely.

I know that all of us are hypervigilant (as we should be!) but even the warnings on many OTC drugs are scary if you read them.

Big hug - let us know what you decide. I am praying for the day there's a cure and we aren't trying to make these tough choices!!!

J.

 

[jess_mama]

Thank you both. Evan was put on the oral tablets... I am not even sure how to get him to swallow them? Will call his dr today to see if they can be crushed.

 

[AZMOM]

We practiced with mini m&ms. They are about the same size as the tablets (unless they've changed - we do injections now). Whenever she got one down, I let her eat a couple. Worked like a charm!!

Hugs,

J.

 

[Johnnysmom]

We started with 6mp and I had a lot of fears about that medication as well. I can only tell you once you see them healthy and growing and how closely they are watched those rare side effects are not so intimidating.

You can always discontinue the medication if you are not seeing a huge difference in how he is feeling. Most of the risks (like cancer) take many years to develop. By then other meds might have come out or you can give LDN a try if you find yourself uncomfortable with the Methotrexate.

These choices are never easy. (((((Hugs))))))