Chemo whilst on methotrexate?

[Simsey]

Possible or not possible, anyone know?

[AgedCrone]

Only your doctors will be able to tell you that.

Every situation will be different ......hope whatever the decision ......it goes well for you!

[charisma]

Sorry that you seem to be in need of chemo. I hope that whatever advice you are given by Docs will turn out to be the best for you.

MTX is very low dose chemo, as is Rituximab, both prescribed for RA etc. as found to be beneficial.

Take care of yourself.

[AgedCrone in reply to charisma]

Rituximab is not In fact Chemotherapy.

It is a B Cell depleting Biologic agent used for treating RA. It is directed at a type of B cell called CD20 & is administered by infusion .

The treatment is paracetamol & an antihistamine pill, then the Rtx infusion with Mtx. & Methylprednisolone.

I have been on it four years now......it has been incredibly successful....after 20+ years I think it is the best treatment I have received.

I chose it over one other Biologic because it is the least intrusive.....You have an infusion two weeks apart, then if you are lucky, & it is successful,

nothing more until a blood test prior to the next duo of infusions after 6 months....or longer if your rheumatologist so decides.

It is one of the Biologic drugs suitable for people who have previously had cancer

[charisma in reply to AgedCrone]

Some sites I looked at recently say it is used for cancer treatment!

Anyway, it would be in far higher doses for cancer.

Great that you are doing so well on it. May that continue. 🙂

My infusions were slightly different to your descriptions, as to pre meds. Must vary around the UK.

[AgedCrone in reply to charisma]

Yes, Rtx is used in combination with chemotherapy to treat cancers like Non Hodgkins Lymphoma,& Mtx is also used in Cancer therapy but in much higher doses than ever prescribed for RA.

I was describing the standard application for Rtx...Infusions, different patients are sometimes given different drugs or non at all if their Rheumatologist thinks necessary.

[charisma in reply to AgedCrone]

I get the Paracetamol pills but the antihistamine goes straight into the drip half an hour before the Truxima, if all goes well. It certainly makes me feel weird.

I was not on MTX either but decided to have it to help anchor the Rituximab. Began the MTX seven weeks ago but the drug infusions kicked in anyway.

[Hidden]

I was told by chemo nurses to stop MTX which I did, but I continued taking Leflunomide. But when my treatment was over, my rheumy said she didn't see why I should have needed to stop. Give your rheumy a call to be sure.