I have been on and off methotrexate for over a year because my liver cannot seem to tolerate it. I have tried doses varying from 10 to 20 mg but every time, my ALT soars out of control and I am told to stop taking it. Once I tried Sulphasalazine with the same result. So In January I finally came off again. Since then I have only been taking Hydroxychloroquine and my liver has been fine. I have enjoyed my MTX holiday, no fortnightly blood tests, no Foljc Acid, no horrible MTX hangover days and as many glasses of wine or gin and tonics as I like! I have been feeling a bit tired recently and sometimes my hands hurt a bit but nothing major. I have even been walking fairly well. My CRP has ever been more than 2.1. Good I thought, no more MTX for me I can manage fine without it.
Then I went for ultrasound scans of my hands and feet, just to make sure that I was indeed, in remission. The doctor told me that I had significant inflammation in my wrist, bone loss and inflammation in my hands. My feet show wear and tear in all the major joints. So not remission at all. My rheumatologist rang to discuss and said that I have active disease in my hands so it is back on MTX at 7.5 mg.
Not looking forwards to it at all, but I know I must. It just goes to show that blood tests don't always tell the whole story. RA, what a sod ??
Why does my Rheumy seem reluctant to diagonis RA
well seems i passed me blood tests but hell somthings not right
Tocilizumab working - but what a price
It seems I am on a soap box today !
My RA is nearly always one-sided
