Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

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Rheumy Appt-MTX Update

ReeDee43
ReeDee43
Hi, all. I just want to update those of you aware of my stopping the methotrexate. I had my first rheumy appt Thursday after not taking mtx for 2 weeks. Yesterday made my 3rd week. First off, my bloodwork and kidney function tests were becoming greatly affected before stopping-to include protien building in my kidneys. Well after reviewing my blood and urine work the protien was completely gone, my wbc and rbc has improved, and my esr went from 120 to 75. Good news right? Wrong, do you know he insisted I remain on the mtx. Even after the obvious improvement in my bloodwork.
I'm currently on my 6th week of Humira and I want to see if it will hold its own. I didn't mention my stopping to the mtx just to see how he would respond to the bloodwork. However, I did ask him to consider another dmard or treatment. His only response was that mtx is the best treatment. He scheduled my next appointment for 2 months away. I think I'm going to seek a second opinion and another rheumy that will review my treatment.
Not to mention, he had his nurse give me a flu shot Friday which sent me into a semi-flare this weekened. It didn't get too much fire but my ankles have been acting up since yesterday. Hopefully it's due to my Humira shot being due tommorow. I'll keep you guys posted and thanks for all of the support.

BTW, that huge religion post didn't deter me from seeking support from this group. Actually, the postings were way too lengthy to get into..lol. God bless you all and may they find a cure for us one day.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I agree with you, ReeDee. Seems like your RD should be more mindful of your blood tests improving. Since you didn't tell him you stopped MTX, maybe he feels that things are okay and he wants you to continue on with the MTX because he thinks it is helping you. I don't know for sure, but I think a second opinion is always good if you are doubting your doc's advice.

Best Wishes,
V
ReeDee43
ReeDee43
Thanks, Missouri. I did think about my not mentioning stopping the mtx. However, I did bring up my same concerns about it making my RA worse and it affecting my kidneys. He still insisted I stay on it. So I figured if I told him I'd already stopped he would've simply put me back on it. You're right about the 2nd opinion. I want the new rheumy to run ALL of my bloodwork again to include the ANA and RA Factors just to see where I am and to make sure the RA is actually slowing down.
deleted_user
deleted_user
ReeDee,

Just my opinion.... but I think you shoud let your dr. know you stopped MTX. He might then well understand why you want to go off it after seeing the improvement in lab work. Or you could just start working with another dr.

But... it's true that the biolgoics work much better with MTX. That doesn't mean if MTX is causing dangerous side effects you shouldn't get off of it.

I had very severe side effects from MTX and stayed on it too long. My rheumy felt I shouldn't be suffering from it so much but I insisted on staying on it because it was helping and the first relief I had. Anyway, I am off of it now, but I felt I learned a lesson from that, which was to be more honest with my dr. I still have a tendency to minimize telling him about the side effects if a drug is working, because even severe side effects seem like nothing compared to my RA pain!

I wish you the best in sorting all of this out. It's hard to have only toxic drugs to choose from!
Christine26
Christine26
Hi ReeDee, I had painful ankles achilles tendonitis for almost a year in 2010. I was always in pain and could barely walk at times. I saw two podiatrist who were both excellent. One suggested to always wear shoes or sneakers that are at least one inch heel or more. Even in the house. I did this and had noticeable improvement in one month. That and rubbing Volteran cream on my ankles every night. Now no more problems. Good luck to you.
Christine26
Christine26
Hi ReeDee, I think you should let the Rheumatologist also know that you have stopped the medication you were taking. I sometimes do not agree with the Rheumatologist and have stopped prednisone by the time I have gone to the office. I let the doctor know. After all what can he do to you? Spank you? You have a right to put in your body what you desire. Right? Good luck.
aggie83
aggie83
Echoing others, the doc cannot correctly assess how a medicine is doing unless you are honest, so tell the doc! Based on what he currently sees, you are improving on mtx! I'd tell you to stay on it too! A new doc won't help if you don't give them accurate details.
ReeDee43
ReeDee43
That's why I love this group. I've learned so much since I joined a few months ago. I agree with all of you on notifying the doc. I sent him an email yesterday morning telling him that I did indeed stop the MTX. I'll give him a couple of days to respond-I'm anxious to see what he suggests. I know I was looking forward to my Humira shot this morning. I was out shopping and running around all day yesterday. Then my bff dropped by last night and we went through an entire bottle of Merlot (love not taking mtx). I noticed I was a bit stiff this morning that's why I injected the Humira first thing.

Thanks for the advise on my ankles, Christine. My ankles are my biggest problem. I had to ice and elevate my feet after my friend left last night. I would feel almost normal if my ankles just gave me a break. I'll keep you guys posted, and hopefully the rheumy or my body won't make me go back to the MTX.