Date: 25.11.2013
From: Natasha
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Subject: Methotrexate
I've been on methotrexate for about 5/6 years now and I have never had a problem. Being 21 and at university I do have the occasional drink. But now my liver has played up a lot, which has now lead the doctors to take me off the meds. I'm slightly worried about what will happen to me if my liver does not calm down. Has anyone been through this?
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Date: 25.11.2013
From: Colin W
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Subject: Re: Methotrexate
hi Natasha , you wont have any long term liver damage , your ALT results would be very high like over 1000 & they stop us having mtx if it goes over 130 I had same problem with mtx without drinking , they put me back on mtx with 5mg folic acid six days a week & my ALT returned to normal , on 25mg mtx now with no problems & all other side effects gone ie hair thinning
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Date: 25.11.2013
From: suz
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Subject: Re: Methotrexate
Colin can I ask, I read you always say MTX is very good drug for R.A. but does it really prevent joint deformity and the disease from progressing? How did you find it Natasha as well?
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Date: 26.11.2013
From: Colin W
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Subject: Re: Methotrexate
lol suz the simple answer is no , I been on it for 15 years & they waited 2 years before they put me on it & in that time need my heel fused in three places (Triple arthrodesis) & had the other done 5 years ago & need three operations at some point on both ankles & right elbow , out of all the normal DMARD its the best of four normal ones they give out & alot have two or three of these drugs at the same time along with a biologic
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Date: 27.11.2013
From: Emm
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Subject: Re: Methotrexate
Colin, Reading your post here, you have had a lot of work on your ankles! I am starting to think surgery will be my only option as the swelling and pain are permanent now and disrupting and limiting my life. I am worried about going down that route. Is what you have had done successful. Can you walk well and is it pain free now? Regards Emm
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Date: 27.11.2013
From: Natasha
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Subject: Re: Methotrexate
Hi Colin. thankyou for that insight. That has helped a lot. They've taken me off the mxt and my ALt was 88 :S. not good for someone my age! But hopefully it will all go back to normal soon Suz - At first I didn't like the drug and got the side effects badly, but i was 17. But now I dont noticed them/suffer from them. I do occasionaly have thin hair but that is easily treated with some serum from boots.
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Date: 27.11.2013
From: Colin W
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Subject: Re: Methotrexate
Emm , I still have problems with walking because I need the main ankle joints done , think they would fuse them & that puts me off because of driving & needing to get a car converted , the swelling can end up as long term circulation problems & can cause leg ulcers & damage to your vains , the triple arthrodesis I had on both ankles stops the sideways movement & that is pain free but still get alot of pain from my main ankle joint
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