Conditions > Rheumatoid Arthritis > Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment > Why Blood Tests are Important if you Take Methotrexate

Why Blood Tests are Important If You Take Methotrexate

If you’ve been taking methotrexate to treat your rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for years, and everything has been going swimmingly, should you still bother getting that pesky routine rheumatoid....

Ann

01 Oct 2011, 21:49

For me... Methotrexate is horrible! I am always nauseous. I can not eat anything I like. Potatoes are my only friend. I am losing weight by the second. There has got to be a better way to cope with this desease.

viney arora

22 Aug 2011, 13:16

hi , my mother is taking the Methotrexate therapy from the last 3 years,but the ESR is still very high ,her feet fingers have started to get separated from the foot thumb, she is sufferring from RA from the last 10 years.presently she haa got another problem of cervical. what treatment would u advice her to take from now onwards.

Margie Wilson

19 Apr 2011, 14:50

I am currently taking Methotrexate for RA. A new problem has occurred and I would like to know if anyone else has had this problem. I will be walking , no problem, then my legs just freeze. I have fallen and I'm really scared I will fall again. There is no pain but I can't move. Please help.
Marjory

shirley

27 Feb 2011, 12:14

How do you know when RA is finally killing you? End stages to look for are _________? Thx 4 ur reply.

Gale

17 Feb 2011, 13:44

I received a pamphlet from my insurance company that said RA and/ot Methotrexare can cause dental disease leading to tooth loss. What do you know about this?

Terry

06 Jan 2011, 19:19

What is the normal range for an RA blood test?

Tess

06 Nov 2010, 23:20

Laura--I've been on oral methotrexate for almost a year for reactive arthritis--I go to the doctor every three months and take my labs a month before I go so she can review the results with me. Your doctor should be giving you direction for the blood tests.

MELBA

31 Oct 2010, 15:56

I've had unremitting RA for over 40 years...That which doesn't kill me makes me stronger...boy am I strong...haha.
I've taken MTX injections for many, many years plus I take Enbrel injections...I think both meds help. This is the first time I've found my MTX on the recall list. I've unknowingly taken at least 4 vials of recalled MTX over the past couple months...BIG Whoops...I will call Walgreen's Mail pharmacy first thing Monday. I found the recall notice by accident. I did not get notified by Walgreens's ~ yet.

Ann Papouchis

30 Oct 2010, 06:53

Thank you so much for putting this out. My pharmacy has not contacted me. I do have this batch of vials. I am curious to see if the pharmacy has this batch.
I am so happy I subscribe to AT!

Idella R. Francisco

29 Oct 2010, 18:40

I am on 5 tabs,2.5mg.tablets once a week My rheumatologist checks my blood every three months. But because I also have Chronic Kidney Disease, so he's very careful on making sure that everything is working out well. Oh and I also take folic acid 1 tab one the days that I don't the MTX. And let's not forget I also take Hydroxychiloroquine at 200mg.tab,twice a day.

Rita

22 Jun 2010, 03:30

I have RA Fibro Neuro Nerve disease etc...I was on methotrexate for two years and the entire time i felt felt achy, tired,vomited frequently and had a low grade fever. my drs contributed these problems to my other issues instead of the mtx which are sighs i should have been taken off of it. i now have fatty liver disease and heart damage. last summer i spent a month in the icu recovering from sever sepsis. my immune system dropped to nothing and i almost died. people are dying from this drug. please contune to monitor your health and get your blood tests!

Susanna P.

12 Mar 2010, 08:12

I have RA, Fibro, Hashimotos, chronic fatigue, chronic pain throughout my body, more recently, it is has been difficult to breath (I can't lie flat on my back)my ankles and feet swell, I have new pain in my knees, hips, lower and cervical areas, my pulse has been racing, have a chronic cough that Xrays are negative I feel inflammed every day. My family has a hx of cardiac, could I be developing fluid around my heart? I was presibed Aetenol-chloride (water pill for fluid but my heart rate and pulse slow down so much I feel faint...I have not seen a cardiologist. I also suspect Lyrica for the swollen feet and ankles... Please help..

Dr. Susanna Paolozzi

12 Mar 2010, 08:00

I was diagnosed in 2006 but would not be treated until I returned to Hep.C treatment of which I contracted from a blood transfusion in 1982 (miscarrige)so due to the onset of pain, I finally agreed and took Intereron with RIBOVARIN WHICH LOWERED MY VIRAL LOAD BUT HAD TO STOP DUE TO DURATION< AND ANOTHER DX OF Hashimotos (I also have fibromyalgia) Himira injections predisone helped but made me gain alot of weight. So, for almost 3 years I have been taking Sulfasaline with Cymbalta and I am getting worse (more flareups) I was told I was Sero-negative but due to the chronic HepC it seems my choices for RA treatments are limited. What do you suggest..

B. Belshaw

11 Mar 2010, 17:34

I am puzzled by the number of people who
still requested the "chart" despite your clear statement that no such chart exists.
Did I miss something?

The Editors

11 Mar 2010, 16:30

Dear Arthritis Today Readers,

There have been many requests for a chart to help evaluate the results of a rheumatoid arthritis blood test. Please understand that no such chart exists.

Each person's case is unique, therefore, the information we provide is meant to help keep you informed of the latest treatments, future treatments and management solutions, all of which should be discussed with your physician and fellow members of your health-care team prior to trying the solutions.

While we aim to provide important and timely information to help you and your health-care team best manage your arthritis and related conditions, www.ArthritisToday.org and Arthritis Today magazine cannot diagnosis or provide specific medical advice for specific individuals with arthritis and related conditions.

Thanks for reading,
The Editors
ArthritisToday.org and Arthritis Today magazine

frances mayhew

11 Mar 2010, 15:53

I would like the same chart please/ thanks

lynne carter

11 Mar 2010, 15:33

hi i've had ra and sjogren's syndrome for 10 yrs and on methotrexate by injection,plaquenil,vitd,folic acid,nexium.
I do get labs. would also like chart

Mary

11 Mar 2010, 14:43

Are you referring to the results of the tests for when you're taking Methotrexate or your Rheumatoid factor? My doctor told me that you can have RA without having any rheumatoid factor. He called it sero-negative rheumatiod arthritis.

Carolyn Bowen

11 Mar 2010, 12:49

I would also like the RA chart in order to moniter my results. I am not taking methotrexate presently but my history has a long spell of taking it. thanks. C. Bowen

Barbara

11 Mar 2010, 11:33

Rather than refer to it as a rheumatoid (arthritis) test (which is different), call it the methotrexate panel.
It looks at the same thing as does a CBC with differential, plus platelets since these can give warning signs of damage done by MTX. It also looks at creatinine, albumin and a certain liver enzyme (AST). I am not sure what the numbers you mention refer to but it does not sound like what is needed in the MTX panel. Since I use Remicade, my blood is tested every 8 weeks with the treatment. I ask for copies each time so I can follow it myself.

Jillian Steinke

11 Mar 2010, 11:12

I've been on Methotrexate for about 4 years now. I get my blood test done every 3 months and see my Rheumatologist every 6 months. I don't think tests need to be done anymore often than that unless a problem has been identified or you have other underlying conditions.

D Barr

11 Mar 2010, 09:21

Can I have a copy of the "chart" that evaluates the results of a rheumatoid blood test? I didn't know there was such a thing and I need to discuss this with my rheumatologist. Thanks!

mike frontier

14 Feb 2010, 13:31

I recently read a book from the '80s about the use of tetracycline as an alternative to methotrexate. is there research supporting this. The Physician who wrote the book says RA results from an attack on an infection in the connective tissue. Methotrexate and other drugs prevent the immune system from attacking the connective tissue.
The physician says the real problem is the infection in the connective tissue.

He says tetracycline drugs eliminate the infection. Can tetra or doxyclcyline be taken in place of methatrexate or in combination with methatrexate. His research and stories although dated were compelling. The book was "the road less traveled"

Laura

11 Feb 2010, 16:22

I started Methotrexate 7 weeks ago. I am on 15mg a week. I have not had any blood test and I do not go back to see him for another 4 weeks. I have heard that I should have my blood tested every 4 weeks or so on MTX. Should I ask my doctor to do the blood test?

Lance Gundry

05 Oct 2009, 19:06

can you provide me w/a chart that evaluates the results of a rheumatoid blood test. mine came back 249.

Angela

20 Aug 2009, 16:49

I need to same chart. Mine came back 391.

Kim Dalby

18 Aug 2009, 16:39

Can you provide me with a chart that evaluates the results of a rheumatioid blood test. What is normal, high, extra high, etc. I am very concerned: mine came back at 141

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Why Blood Tests are Important If You Take Methotrexate

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