Hi Sue

Sorry to hear about the problems you are experiencing with methotrexate and blood results. I have recently trodden a similar route but having been on methotrexate for 10 years so I understand your worries. You are certainly not being over fussy!

You are right, I believe, to be a little concerned. Your treatment/blood book should 'travel' with you and be up to date for all appointments. Mine does not leave my side!! I take it in to my GP surgery 5 days after my blood test and sit and wait whilst they fill in the results. I then monitor the results myself against what is normal for me. 7.5mg is quite a low dose of methotrexate but can be effective; it isn't always necessary to be on a higher dose to get a good result. Sometimes it is combined with other drugs to be more beneficial. I was on 10mg and okay but 'they' upped it to 15mg (for a better result) and my bloods went haywire causing neutropenia and I became very ill very quickly. Needless to say I'm now off methotrexate but it does make you appreciate the importance of up to date results!!

The lymphocytes are within acceptable tolerances at 1.4, but certainly need to be kept an eye on; the AST is a liver function test and that is slightly on the high side which may be indicative of something amiss. About 30% of patients on methotrexate have raised AST levels so not too unusual. However, I would definitely ask for your results to be put into your book promptly; my book is actually called "Patient Held drug Monitoring Record".

If the rheumatology dept. don't have the resources to update the book when required could they perhaps send a copy of the blood test results to your GP Surgery when they do the test. You could then ask the GP surgery to fill your book in for you.

If your next results are cause for concern, worsening, I would suggest making an appointment to see a different GP. It's possible the methotrexate may need to be reduced to stopped.

Do let us know how you go on after your next blood test. Fingers crossed there's some improvement.

Lyn x

Hello Sue and welcome

Sorry you feel anxious at the moment. When I was on MTX my GP surgery nurse would not complete my book
as well, I felt initally 'ekk' but when i had 3 weekly tests I used to ask the reception for a copy of my last blood
test. So I then could keep my book up to date. I felt like you - they tell you it is a bad drug and then they
do not appear to look after you.

Keep an eye on things, I had to come off as upset my liver.

Good luck and keep posting.

Rose

Hi Sue
Just picked up this thread. At first I had problems getting my results. I've got a booklet which I keep myself. I was told that the rheummy dept would ring me if there was a problem but they didn't seem to have a system in place for me actually getting the results. They don't send copy to my gp. I can ring the helpline but they're only open Weds and Fri am and they never answer the phone- I have to leave a message. I decided to ask for a copies to be sent to my GP so now I can ring up and they print off a copy for me I just write them in the bookle myself.

Take care

Maria

Hi Sue

Sorry to hear that you too ar experiencing neutrophil problems. At 1.9 the neutrophil count is below the accepted minimum meaning that you have neutropenia. In layman's terms your body will struggle to fight infections and you will be very susceptible to infections. I have had recurrent urinary tract infections which have required antibiotics to clear.

Certainly in my case the drop in neutrophils was caused by methotrexate. After 3 months of low neutrophil counts I had to stop it completely and continue with Enbrel only. Once stopped the neutrophils picked up, the number of infections decreased and for now I am okay. It does sound like methotrexate is not the drug for you so hopefully an alternative will be on the horizon that will prove more beneficial.

Do keep an eye open for possible infections; without adequate neutrophils they can sometimes turn quite nasty. Don't wish to concern you but speaking from my own recent experience I know how rapidly things can go wrong.

Take care Sue and keep us posted!

Lyn x

Just had my latest bloods back and everything is in the acceptable range Neutrophil level has gone up to 2.4 so I have to go back on 10mg mtx and see what happens.
Fingers crossed
Sue

Hi Sue

Good to hear your news, hoping all goes well for you now.

Julia x