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Date: 23.11.2012
From: rhona

Subject: Blood checks while on methetroxate

I was reading a message on Gillian's post from Tony and he said he is on MTX and has been told to get his blood checked every 12 weeks. It got me wondering if anyone else gets their blood done every 12 weeks on MTX i get mine done every 4 weeks and it would be better if it were 12 weeks but not sure if that would be too long.
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Date: 23.11.2012
From: Gillian

Subject: Re: Blood checks while on methetroxate

I think I would be anxious if my bloods were that far apart. Mine have always been two weekly for first three months when I first started sulfasalazine and then if all ok moving onto monthly. I have just added methotrexate and I am now back to two weekly for three months then onto monthly. I personally would question why so long in between blood test.
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Date: 23.11.2012
From: Colin

Subject: Re: Blood checks while on methetroxate

we do monthly bloods & when increasing MTX they done weekly bloods but had problems with liver results so think thats why they done weekly checks
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Date: 24.11.2012
From: Paula-R

Subject: Re: Blood checks while on methetroxate

I've already mentioned this on Gillian's thread, but will post it here incase you miss it. I think it is when your bloods have been stable on the same dose for a period of time. I have just been put on two monthly ones, it will be more convenient now, but I have just started to take Enbrel and I am a little concerned about it. I have got a routine blood test booked in two weeks time so I am not panicking too much and I will be seeing the nurse specialist early January for an assessment regarding the Enbrel. I would of thought though that if you start any new drug that you would of had more regular test at first.

Paula
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Date: 24.11.2012
From: bsk

Subject: Re: Blood checks while on methetroxate

Hi Paula, I'm on Enbrel and have six monthly bloods. It's not the same as mtx as it doesn't affect your liver but they will do one if you get ill with an infection.
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Date: 24.11.2012
From: Paula-R

Subject: Re: Blood checks while on methetroxate

Thank you bsk for replying. I am a little anxious about starting the new drug and possible side effects, I just have to have trust my specialist nurse in what she is telling me. I am still taking MTX though. Did you at first have regular blood checks when you started Enbrel or was it six months from the onset? Did you have any side effects from it?

Sorry asking too many questions but it really is a journey into the unknown when we start these new drugs. Up to now (24 hours after my first injection) I am fine, I haven't even got a rash at injection site which I think is the most common one. I would imagine that if you are on it after six months it is doing you some good.

Thanks again
Paula
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Date: 24.11.2012
From: bsk

Subject: Re: Blood checks while on methetroxate

Hi Paula, I think I did have more frequent blood tests just because I saw my nurse more often to begin with. You will still have more often checks if you are on Mtx I would imagine.

I had a bad injection site reaction to begin with so they change the injection method. I also got an infection within 2 weeks of starting so they put me on a half dose at my request. Other side effects negligible, occasional headache etc. Enbrel is good, am doing a lot more than I was before.

Try not to worry too much!
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Date: 25.11.2012
From: Paula-R

Subject: Re: Blood checks while on methetroxate

Thanks bsk for replying

I think I may of spoke to soon about not having a rash, woke up this morning and my tummy was itching a little near the injection site. I have a small rash, it is about two inches away from where I injected myself, other areas of my tummy look a little red. I have just googled side effects and it does say that the rash normally appears 1 - 2 days after injecting and it takes about three days to clear up. Will have to wait and see what happens. What did they change your injection method to?

Paula
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Date: 25.11.2012
From: bsk

Subject: Re: Blood checks while on methetroxate

Hi Paula,

My rash was about 5 inches across and appeared the moment I injected! Impossible to live with. I don't use a pre-mixed pen but mix my own and inject with a normal needle and syringe. You should tell your rheumy nurse about the rash.
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Date: 25.11.2012
From: Paula-R

Subject: Re: Blood checks while on methetroxate

Hello bsk

Thankfully the rash and redness has disappeared, so what it was I don't know, so at the moment things look OK. Interesting what you said about going from pen to syringe.

My drug is in a pre filled syringe but it is made up, I don't have to mix it myself. I think that mixing it yourself sounds a little daunting. I'd rather have it already made for me.

Anyway back to what I want to tell you. In the instructions about injecting the drug it does state that if there is an air bubble in the syringe you are to push the syringe up a bit for it to escape prior to injecting. I didn't like the sound of this had visions of doing it too hard and some of the drug escaping. I am not a nurse but I have always thought that it's dangerous to inject air straight into a vein, but not into fatty tissue. I asked the nurse when she came to my home and she said that they are now told to leave the air in the syringe because this will help push the cells away and the drug will be spread further away from the injection site.

I would think that with the pre filled pens there will be no air in it, if it is true what the nurse said that will mean that the drug stays in the area it's injected longer, thus you may get more of a sting and site reaction.

Don't know if you or anyone else agrees.

Paula
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Date: 25.11.2012
From: bsk

Subject: Re: Blood checks while on methetroxate

I still expel the excess air. I trained as a nurse and old habits die hard!
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