Taken off MX Where do we go from here??

muffy

Some of you will have read my previous post where last Monday I was told the Liver figures had jumped up and I was told to reduce the MX, I also had another blood test. Yesterday the hospital rang to say that within a week the figures had doubled and I was to stop the MX immediately and I wouldn't be taking it anymore. They said that until my Liver was back to normal they couldn't prescribe anything else. Has this happened to anyone else and what can they prescribe that doesn't mess with the Liver?

dreamdaisy

You won't be going anywhere drugs-wise too soon, muffy, as the meth needs time to get out of your system and your liver needs time to return to its usual levels. There are alternatives to meth but surely it's for your rheumatologist to determine what the next treatment will be. Are you feeling relatively OK in yourself? DD

nanarose

I am in a similar situation to you. I have been off mtx for more than 3 months now, but unfortunately for some reason my liver test levels have stayed much the same. For the majority of people it seems that once you come off the mtx for a few weeks or months, your levels go back to normal quite quickly....I hope this is the case for you.

I'm presently waiting to see the Rheumy after Christmas, but she has been in touch with my GP who between them have been keeping an eye on me. My GP has been really caring and helpful throughout this time, thank goodness, as trying to get an appointment to see the Rheumy where I live (there is only one in the area) takes forever.

I have to stop Diclofenac, as apparently it's not the best ant-inflammatory, especially for those of us with PsA, and be given something else instead, and I am to get lots of further tests done next week to determine what, if anything, is causing my levels to be elevated. I have already had a liver ultrasound scan done which showed I had a fatty liver, but nothing they were concerned about at the time.

I have had to cope with the pain and stiffness with just painkillers and anti-inflams, as I really wanted to give my liver a chance to recover, but it hasn't been easy.

My Rheumy has said that under strict supervision, if all the tests come back negative, she wants me to try a reduced 15mg dose of mtx this time and see how I progress. I was on 25mg previously.

In the meantime to get me through Christmas and the chance that I will be away for a few weeks afterwards (my youngest is having her first baby and lives 8 hours away from us) I am to get a steroid jab to help with the pain and inflammation which has started up again.
The psoriasis is back again worst luck, and although the steroid will probably make that worse in the short term, it's swings and roundabouts sometimes isn't it?

Can anyone tell me what is usually the second line of defence if methotrexate cannot be used?
I thought sulphasalazine, but I believe that is less effective, and will do nothing for my psoriasis? Plus it stains your contact lenses, and I am determined to keep wearing them, when every other part of my body is falling apart!
Call it vanity, but it's about the only thing I have left....brittle hair, icky skin, swellings, pain...you all know the score.

Now I have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism too...Gee does it get any better than this?

Merry Christmas all! x;)

dreamdaisy

Hello nanasue, when I saw a dermatologist about my psoriasis (and how infrequent it is) he put it down to the fact that I was on sulph: it was the first med I was ever given and my skin has remained clear ever since, although I never had a great deal of the P in the first place. As for the staining of lenses I don't think it's guaranteed - I think it's one of those 'may' things, but the lucozade-coloured wee is a certainty! DD

muffy

Hi DD
Thanks for reply, no I don't feel all that great, pain/discomfort around liver and no appetite, shame, went out to lunch with family today and only had a couple of mouthfull's. Have decided to see my GP this week if possible to discuss situation with him, hospital not very forthcoming with information, just telling me it's nothing to worry about.
Sylvia