Blood tests

[Kittykatxxxxx]

Hi all

I have been on methotrexate for around 4/5 months I think. Now my rheumatologist is saying I should have blood tests every 2 months. Is this enough? Does anyone else do this

Thanks Very much

Kat x

[Hidden]

I have my blood tests taken

every two months as well. Your tests must be coming back stabilize to make this change. X

[allanah]

Yes that good, sounds like your body is accepting the drugs. Is the pain any less yet?

[Hidden]

Hello

It would seem that the RA Nurse thinks you are managing well and the contraindications are slight to moderate. If that is the case she must think all is ok.

All I can suggest is not to worry, if you do feel bad in that given time give them a call and most probably will see you sooner if required

Good Luck

BOB

.

[Hidden]

I was told every month - 6 weeks.

[fastball]

I have been having my blood tests every other month for at least two yrs now. They have been roughly the same all that time. It does'nt mean i have no pain it just means that MTX and the PsA is not causing pain. The pain i have is Osteo and Fibro. It also means that MTX is not causing bad effect to my body. So i am please i am having less blood tests.If anything should change they will tell me to have another test to check..

Hope this helps . Sending you hugs

Chris

[shasmac]

I've been on Mtx for about 8 months now and was having bloods done fortnightly up until this month, when I have been moved onto monthly. Never had any probs with blood results so just assumed this was normal for everyone.

[emmajj1971]

I am on mtx and I was having 2 weekly bloods then went to 2 monthly, but I started to have bruises for no reason so was told 6 weekly. Hope this helps x

[helixhelix]

It really depends on the local protocol and how stable your bloods have been. I did have to negotiate a bit over mine at one point as GP surgery didn't want to prescribe my sulpha/hydroxy etc without monthly testing, but hospital was happy to prescribe MTX on 2 monthly testing. Anyway now I'm on 2 - 3 monthly testing, and when I went to see a French rheumy he said that he normally only ordered testing every 6 months.

[Scottishlad]

I have been on 8 weekly tests for some time. Every time my dose was increased I had 2 tests at 2 weeks then monthly again. They like the tests 4 weeks after a decrease in dose. I have gone from 7.5mg all the way up to 25mg and am now back to 7.5mg after starting Cimzia a year ago.

If your dose is stable and your test results are within normal limits then 8 weeks would seem to be normal. Just make sure you don't go daft with alcohol just because your tests are good.

[Speedwaygran]

Hi I am into my second month of Methotrexate I been having fortnightly bloods but after Tuesdays I go on to two monthly tests, not keen on needles so can't say I am overly bothered by it. The consultant told me right from the off that they would change after the first two months.

[Hidden]

At my hospital you start off on weekly or fortnightly and if everything is ok then move to monthly and then bi-monthly. Your monitoring book should have the protocol in it - i.e x number of times at fortnightly, followed by x number of times at monthly etc.

Don't worry it sounds like everything is going fine for you:-}

Cece x

[krysia]

hi Kittykat yes like you only yesterday it was suggested that i will need blood test's every 3 month's as i was due for a review on my medication Hydroxoychloroquine had blood test done this week it was normal! have been on this medication about 4 year's. take care.

[Shelley1701]

I was going to ask this question so glad to read the replies. I was wondering if it was often enough. I've been having monthly tests for the past 12 years then last month I saw the specialist nurse, who in my opinion is more clued up than the consultant, and she told me to have test every 8 weeks as my blood results had been stable for some time now.

[calflo]

I started methotrexate in March 2010, at the same time I had blood tests every 2 weeks. Then after 6 months I went on monthly. After a year they put me on 6 weekly tests. That is where I am told I will remain.............on 6 weekly blood tests! I have asked to increase to every 8 weeks but was told NO! My understanding is that blood tests are required to ensure other organs in your body are not being affected by the drug, so while it's a bit of a pain going every 6 weeks its a necessary evil!

[zannie]

I have blood tests every two months as well. The MTX has given me enormous relief. Now there is pain only in my left hand, mostly at night, and when I wake up in the morning.

Keep going, sounds as though your'e on the right track XX

[Kittykatxxxxx]

Thanks so much for the helpful replies. I am not getting relief from pain yet unfortunately. All my bloods have been good so I guess rheumy is happy for 2 months. Plus it seems it varies from from person to person X

[francherry]

I'm still having fortnightly blood tests for the rheumatologist because my neutrophils vary a lot each time as well as separate blood tests for the lung doctor, osteoporosis doctor etc. I've got to know the phlebotomists quite well It sounds like a good thing if you are having them once every 2 months x