methotrexate problems

gazza67
gazza67 Member Posts: 25
edited 23. Aug 2010, 15:27 in Living with Arthritis archive
I have been told too come of mtx due too liver problems has this happened too anyone else and if so what are the next steps
thanks in advance.

Comments

  • marion1952
    marion1952 Member Posts: 963
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Gazza


    What dose of methotrex were you on?

    I had this happen to me just once, earlier this year. I am on 15 mgs, I was told to stop the methotrexate for one week and then went back on it and had weekly blood tests for a while. My liver enzymes went back to normal and I haven't had any more problems since..

    There will be lots of other people coming along soon to give you their experiences...



    Marion
  • gazza67
    gazza67 Member Posts: 25
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks Marion Iam currently on 20 mg just got a recorded message today saying too stop mtx immediately due too raised liver probs really gutted as its working really well but recently been experiencing rashes all over my torso and stabbing pains in my lower groin just dont know what too expect next.
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 20. Aug 2010, 17:14
    DON'T PANIC. Docs love doing this, setting off alarm bells and usually for absolutely nothing. I have lost count of the scary messages from my GP about blood results: I have mine done every two weeks at the hospital and they routinely copy them to my GP. He cheerfully admits that he knows very little about my condition (PA) and the drug treatments that I have and the effects they might have on blood results. He sees figures that appear to be high, and goes into headless-chicken mode. The rheumatology department are far more sanguine, knowing more about it than he does. I no longer care.

    The rash, however, does point to intolerance: I developed a rash on my forearms when on tablet meth and was told to give up immediately. I did, now I am on injected meth. Apparently one can tolerate this better. Only rarely have I felt queasy on it and no rash to date, apart from on holiday and I failed to apply an adequate sunscreen, so my fault anyway.

    The one drug that did try to explode my liver was enbrel, an anti TNF drug. My liver figures went quite high - can't remember exactly just now, but over 650. They took me off enbrel (I wasn't on any form of meth then), sent me to an endicronologist (I think that's the right word for a liver guy) who did very little and everything returned to normal. Honestly, don't panic. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • marion1952
    marion1952 Member Posts: 963
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Gazza

    I was gutted when it happened to me too, as I'm a big fan of metotrexate.. but fortunately it was just a 'blip' for me and I was able to re-start it..

    I was told that the liver returns to normal quickly in situations such as this.

    Are you going to see the nurse soon?

    I've never had a rash, but I know some other people on this forum have had rashes.

    I wonder what the pain in the groin could be.. could it be muscular?


    Marion
  • dorcas
    dorcas Member Posts: 3,516
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi gazza,

    I had problems too ....more than once....with raised liver function readings when on the tablet form of Mtx. Once the Mtx was stopped the liver readings returned to within normal range pretty quickly and the Mtx re-instated.

    However when it kept happening and I had a drop in WBC, increasing nausea and then vomiting (:oops: ) it was withdrawn for several months.
    I was then put on Injectable Mtx which is tolerated better and more easily absorbed therefore can be given at a comparatively lower dosage without compromising it's effectiveness.

    I do hope you'll be able to see your doc soon so that he can tell you if the rash & groin pain might be related to the Mtx.

    Fingers crossed that you are able to continue on Mtx as you've had such a good response but the priority I suppose has to be your over all health.

    Iris x
  • ailsarobby
    ailsarobby Member Posts: 63
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    my liver is already done in so i am now wondering what treatment im going to get when i see rheumy in september....ooouuuu this illness is so confusing...just when I think I understand a few things then I read something else that just boggles my brain.....ohh eck maybe I should stop reading ...lol.....can anyone put pictures on instead.... :roll: :lol::lol::lol::lol:
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Stick with us ailsarobby. We know our stuff. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • ailsarobby
    ailsarobby Member Posts: 63
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    good nite DD sleep well xx
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Gazza,

    I am on mtx but haven't had liver problems so can't really help. I do know from reading the posts here that it can happen and a week off can help sort it out so hang in there and wait and see what they say and how your bloods go. Cris x

    hi Ailsarobby just leaving you a ((( ))) and a hope things get sorted for you. Cris x
  • agslegs
    agslegs Member Posts: 28
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Gazza

    I've been taking Methotrexate for 13 weeks and I have already had to stop taking it twice during this period. I am on 10mg per week. The first time I had to stop was because my WBC was low so I had to stop taking mtx for 2 weeks and everything went back to normal. The second time was due to the same thing, low wbc, but this was then followed by raised liver proteins (not sure if that is the correct way of stating it) so I am now off it until they get the results of my next blood results on Monday. Still early days for me but it does seem that I am quite sensitive to meth but it does look as though this is not an uncommon reaction.
  • tinkerbell3
    tinkerbell3 Member Posts: 13
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I was on MTX for 16 months. First tabs then 20mg injections. Taken off this as it didn't seem to be working. My liver ALT was raised but was then put on Leflunomide. Was on that for a few weeks before I was asked to have further blood tests as liver ALT was still rising and WBC was too low.
    I was then told to stop taking tabs but ALT stil rising. Was then told by Rhumey that I have to have a colestyramine washout.
    I'm 5 days into a 10 day treatment :?
    It isn't pleasant to drink or when its coming out :oops: but they are hoping this will bring my ALT down again.
    My itching is now under control just wish the wretching and tummy probs would stop too. Try not to worry - at least they were keeping a check on you. Take care.

    Tink
  • ailsarobby
    ailsarobby Member Posts: 63
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    hi Tink can you please explain to me what a "washout" is and why they do it.....sorry to jump in on some-one elses thread but im curious to find out...as my liver test have all be dodgy for the last 6months so have my wbc...... :?:
  • tinkerbell3
    tinkerbell3 Member Posts: 13
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    ailsarobby wrote:
    hi Tink can you please explain to me what a "washout" is and why they do it.....sorry to jump in on some-one elses thread but im curious to find out...as my liver test have all be dodgy for the last 6months so have my wbc...... :?:

    Hi
    It involves 2 sachets of powder 3 times a day for 10 days. You mix it with water, juice, smoothies etc and drink it! It's unpleasant as its really gritty like fine sand and makes the drink quite thick. I think its supposed to stop the bile going back to your liver and flushing out the toxins in your 'waste'! In lower doeses its used to lower cholestral. Hope that helps.

    Tink
  • ailsarobby
    ailsarobby Member Posts: 63
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    thankyou Tink.....learn something new everyday... :)

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