Hello All

Can anyone give me some advice please.

I have just had a phone call from my doctor to stop taking MTX until I see the rummy in two weeks time.

I have been taking it since May when I was diagnosed and it kicked in after 7 ish weeks and I've had no real problems since then.

The blood test one before last said that I had to many white blood cells and they had grown in size but I have not been feeling ill. The last one indicates something to do with my liver, because he asked if I had been drinking or taking alot of paracetamol. He also said the A ?? was very high, (didn't quite catch what he said)

I will of course stop taking it but what could be going on ? I don't drink alcohol at all honest.

Advice really welcome.

Anne.

I agree with Kathleen Anne, I take MTX and had a raised liver result. It was only a blip however and I could continue to take it.
It's good that they are on the ball. At the time my rheummy tactfully said to me "Have you been celebrating at all recently!"

Hello Anne,

Sorry you have to stop MTX. Hopefully it will only be temp for you it quite often the liver settles down again.
I had to stop twice before on the third time stop all together. It does not like you drinking I know that
I had to limit myself to 2 glasses of wine a week whilst on it, but if you don't drink hopefully your liver
will settle down.

Dont worry your GP is doing a good job at looking out for you.

Rose x

Hello Anne,

With me it took about 3 months before the stiffness and pains came back, but you may
be more fortunate than me. In couple weeks you may be back on again

Rose

Hi Anne

I have had problems with Methotrexate and a blood disorder. Mine was actually a low neutrophil count (neutropenia), they're the cells that fight infections. The count dropped quite low on two occasions. I stopped methotrexate as advised and once the counts had returned to normal went back on it. Unfortunately the same problem kept coming back so I'm now off methotrexate permanently, after about 10 years!

It has a tendency to lurk about in the system for up to 3 months, lessening as time goes on. I did experience more joint stiffness and pain without mtx but was still on Enbrel and a maintenance dose of 3mg prednisolone. Everyone's different though so you could be back on it, or on an alternative, before you actually notice a difference!

Liver issues do seem to be quite common with mtx; I wouldn't worry too much as it may settle down as quickly as it appeared. Are you on two weekly blood tests at the moment? I always increase mine if there's a problem!

Do let us know how you go on.

Lyn x

Hi everyone hope all are ok x i went to see my rheumatology on friday the 24th sep ive had RA since april this year ive been on,
MTX 25mg + Hyp 200mg but the drugs as had no effect in the 6 months off taking them . Ive know been offered drug that you injected yourself onces a week does anyone know off this sort of treatment ? got to have bloodtest in the morning + chest X ray.
I would be ever so grateful with any advice. Take care & keep smilling xxxxx Graham

Hi All

Good news. Returned from the rummy and last blood tests ok so now returned to 15mg weekly of MTX and 10mg Folic Acid.

Going away on holiday for one week on Monday to Gran Canaria with just my hubby leaving the two boys at home, really need the break, and one week of the three S's, sun, sand and sunbed sounds really great, no not what you were thinking, as I've said before I've told my husband RAs catching !!

We do really worry sometimes when something goes wrong but once again the advice received on here really helps.

Thanks all

Anne.

Good to hear Annie!