Subject: Re: Methrotrexate....advice
Hello Sue I haven't posted on here for some time but occasionally pop on to read the posts. I've just read your post and felt I must answer, your poor mum suffering with this awful illness for so long and what a caring daughter you are. From what I know Methotrexate(MTX) is the most used drug for RA, it's what they call the 'anchor' drug and other drugs are normally added to it. On saying that I wasn't prescribed it straight away but was put on Sulfasalazine (bet I've spelt that wrong) and MTX was added about two years later. I currently take 20mg by injection along with the sulf., painkillers etc. RA is when your immune system attacks the body, MTX is given to treat RA because it dampens down the immune system. The flip side to that is that your body then cannot fight infections like it should, so if someone taking MTX gets any sort of infection MTX must be stopped until things get better. If I was you I would give NRAS a ring and chat to them. Their helpline number is 0800 298 7650. You could also ask questions on their healthunlocked forum. It's free to join and there are lots of fellow sufferers on there that could give you some advice http://nras.healthunlocked.com/ Has your mum got a specialist nurse? If she has why not phone her, you will probably have to get your mums permission for her to talk to you, but I am sure that something could be sorted. You could even organise an appointment to see the nurse with your mum, they normally are easier to get appoitments with than the consultant. I find that my specialist nurses are easier to talk to than the consultant. I never feel rushed with them. I hope that you get something sorted soon. Give my love to your mum. Paula x
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