Starting methotrexate.. arsenalfan13

[jiml]

Great news Arsenalfan it's good to know it's still working well for you I agree about the moisturising the knees and would use a good quality coconut oil that should help the dry skin

Good luck  

[JohnB]

It is encouraging to hear that the MTX is doing its job. I've just started this week having had a 2 year love hate relationship with Acitretin.
Long may it keep you clear.

JohnB

[arsenalfan13]

Just thought I'd pop in with a quick update. Still on MTX and I am still 100% clear save for the very odd and very small spot that has popped up and disappeared a couple weeks later. I am still getting no side effects from the MTX either and I am down to a 10mg dose.

HOWEVER, I took a blood test straight after my last dermatology appointment a few weeks ago. It's the special blood test.. not the one I have to take every 3 months but one I've had to take a few times since being on MTX that checks for something specific (perhaps someone will know more about what it checks for?) and when I got home from work on Friday I had a letter from the hospital asking me to book in for a repeat blood test.

Obviously very worried now as MTX has worked so well for me.. Not worried that it's anything serious but that my tests have shown something that would mean I have to come off MTX if it comes up in the repeat test. I mean, that would be the only reason I'd be asked to take a repeat, right?

I had one elevated result for something early on in my MTX journey but that had returned to normal in the next blood test and was also on the regular blood test not the special one as above.

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Edit by Fred: Changed size of text to default.

[JohnB]

Hi Arsenalfan
Chances are it is a liver test of some description. I had one but I cant for the life of me remember it name.  If I remember correctly it took about 3  weeks  to do and there are a couple of labs in the UK that do it . The standard blood test checks the LFT and this again is for the Liver. If you continue to show elevated results, they will pull the meds.

Good to hear it's working for you though and no nasty side effects.

[arsenalfan13]

Yeah that's the one, LFT is written on the blood test.

[Fred]

Good to hear you are clear, I hope your bloods come back ok.

*I changed the text in your other post to deafult as it was a bit small.

Fred.

[JohnB]

Yeah that's the one, LFT is written on the blood test.

LFT = liver function test. From what I understand it's a rough guide as to the general health of your liver. As the results rise it indicates problems with your liver.

[jiml]

Good to see you back arsenalfan and good to read that you are tolerating the methotrexate well and in only 10mg
Let's hope the blood test comes back as clear, as they do occasionally get odd results that they need to double check possibly a bad or contaminated sample

Hope you are able to stay in it and look forward to hearing more