Observed cognitive deficits with methotrexate
Hello PSA community - sharing some observations with my fathers condition in an effort to gain insight from this group ( whether you’re a clinician , patient or relative of patient etc )
Father is 70 years old and has had psoriasis for several years . About a year ago he was taking taltz injections which seemed to have his skin condition under control . That drug was reclassified and the rheum switched my dad to methotrexate once per wk.
A few months later I visited my father and he had excruciating joint pain - could not fit his foot into his shoe . Since then he has had similar pains in various parts of his lower body ( knee , ankle etc )—> PSA
Aside from the mobility issues , there has also been a noticeable change in his cognitive state . Last year he could sing / play 40 songs on the guitar . No sheet music etc . Now he can’t get through a single verse. Example 2 of dramatic changes - He worked as a computer systems director for 30 years and now he fumbles to download an email attachment .
My mother is now involved in taking him to his appointments but she hasn’t had a ton of luck disclosing her observations in detail ( doctors rush appts , she’s an introvert and also doesn’t want to hurt my dads feelings … I’m working thru this with her )
Curious if others have encountered any observed cognitive issues from this medication
We’ve successfully convinced him to abstain from alcohol ( which has harmful effects on liver when mixed with the medication ) . We do see a slight improvement with alcohol removed .
He’s had an mri and recently did a neuro psych evaluation which we are waiting on -
TIA for your Help
Quite honestly I am hoping it’s not vascular dementia and hoping he will return to his normal self if I can get him off this medication