I have sle. prednisone helped, but plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) makes me throw up. doc wants to try methotrexate, but i heard that's chemo. any safe alternatives?

Meds side effects: All meds have side effects, and you and your doctor must weigh benefit vs. Risk for anything you use. You are talking about a potentially very disabling disease process, but treatment must depend on how it is affecting you. Yes, Methotrexate is a "chemo" drug, but it is also widely used in autoimmune disorders to get the disease settled down and under control. Even Prednisone has its side effects.

Possibly: Methotrexate is used to decrease your immune response like prednisone. They do it different ways, but they all have risks. If the mtx works for you, you should use it. There are other choices, but they can also have serious side effects. Your doctor knows best.