Stopping mtx due to being neutropenic.

[Moomin8]

Hi peeps!🙂Hope this finds most of you well or at least coping.

I have a number of meds, including a mtx injection - 20ml (metoject pen) and Cimzia (a biologic in a pen form.) Iver Christmas, I had to stop my mtx as I became neutropenic and some other of my blood results were either too high or too low. I stopped for 4 weeks then was put back on 2 weeks of a reduced- 15ml injection for 2 weeks then back up to 20ml, as usual. I've just had my bloods done again, 3 weeks in and I'm neutropenic again so have been told by my GPS to stop- again. I have also had a chest infection since Christmas and a course of clarithromycin to try and help. I have a rheumatologist appointment this Friday where I am going to ask if I can have something different to mtx. I know there are new pills which do a similar job. Does anyone have these?

[sylvi]

Never ends does it darling.Hugs.xxx

[helixhelix]

Often the reason you are given MTX alongside a biologic is to stop you building up antibodies to the biologic, and to improve the way they work. Some biologics work ok without MTX and I think Cimzia is one of them. Whether you then need another DMARD, like leflunomide, to control the disease is another question.

So maybe ask the doc whether you can continue Cimzia as monotherapy and then whether you might need anything else alongside?

[Moomin8 in reply to helixhelix]

I also have sulfasalazine

[rab1874]

Hopefully you get something similar that works or maybe they’ll let you take it alone good luck xxx

[AnneField]

Good lord Moomin, are you me? I'm having pretty much the same problem as you so I'll be watching with interest. I'm afraid to say I don't have any answers yet but I'll be at the hospital on Monday myself so I'll be sure to check back in with you to compare notes. Wishing you all the best in the meantime x

[Moomin8]

Hi AnneField, it will be interesting to see what they say to you. Are you taking anything alongside mtx? How long ago were you diagnosed? I'm seropositive- you? Still, it's sort of comforting to feel I have a 'friend' 😊

[Moomin8 in reply to Moomin8]

Hi

When I had my rheumy appointment, she offered me leflunomide instead of mtx due to my neutrophils being affected detrimentally- what she failed to mention were the side effects! Consequently, when I got the leaflet on my way out, I chose not to take them. I am about 6 weeks mtx free! I have had 2 blood tests in that time- my neutrophils are still going down: 1.5 currently. My red blood count is a healthy 12.4, which it hasn't been for sometime. My esr is around 16, so not too bad and my alt is slightly raised. Still taking Cimaia and sulphasalazine. What are your thoughts on this?