how often should I have my blood tested and also my eyes checked when on MTX and Hydroxychloroquine?

[8124]

Demards

[helixhelix]

With MTX doctors vary as it depends a bit on you, your general state of health and what other meds you take that are hard on the liver. To start with I had bloods done every couple of weeks, but that was slowly extended and it's now every three months.

With hydroxy it's recommended to have an eye test once a year.

[8124 in reply to helixhelix]

thanks

Neil

[Cheylann in reply to 8124]

EVery 2 weeks to start with.

[8124 in reply to Cheylann]

Thanks

Neil

[aramire1]

For MTX, I had my labs checked every month for 3 months and now it’s every 3 months.

[8124 in reply to aramire1]

Thanks

Neil

[Caza]

I was told with hydroxychoroquine I had to have my eyes checked every 9-12minths.

[8124 in reply to Caza]

Thanks

Neil

[Jarme]

8124,

When I started taking Mtx. I had my blood tested every couple weeks! After awhile I had them tested every 3 months and still do! I have always had my eyes tested once a year as long as I’ve been on Hydroxychlorquine!

[8124 in reply to Jarme]

Thanks

Neil

[Gnarli]

It will be pretty much up to what your rheumy wants tbh. When I first started on MTX they tested every week before dropping to two weeks and now 18 months later it's monthly. On hydroxy I was told to get my eyes tested before starting on it then every 12 months after that. I hope this helps

J

[8124 in reply to Gnarli]

Thanks

Neil

[8124]

Thanks

Neil

[8124]

Thanks

Neil

[Julies49]

Blood every 3 months and eyes every 12 months

[8124 in reply to Julies49]

Thanks

Neil

[JEM95]

I seem to recall my GP has a chart of NICE recommended blood test frequencies for MXT (my GP is excellent and well up on RA as her mum has it too).

Initially it was every two weeks then monthly then three monthly (on the basis that there are no problems). I managed to get to 6-weekly then had to go back to 4-weekly as my liver struggles.

My Rheumy recommends eye tests every twelve months, or immediately if I feel any changes it have any issues x

[8124 in reply to JEM95]

Thanks

Neil

[BonnieT]

Raises a question for me. No one ever said to have my eyes checked with methotrexate. I’ve just completed two months on it. It seems to be helping with the all over pain but I do have blurry vision and headaches. I’ve been blaming my eye doctor and my newest eyeglasses.

[8124 in reply to BonnieT]

Thanks

Neil

[JanetR]

All replies above correspond with my experience too - I was having monthly blood tests for a couple of years, which changed to 3 monthly, which I still do. This is on 15mg MTX with folic acid the day after, and no other drugs at all.

[8124 in reply to JanetR]

Thanks

Neil