Anemia and Methotrexate

[SadiesMimi]

Has anyone experienced anemia since starting methotrexate?

[sylvi]

I have always been borderline anaemia when i was on MTX.xxxx

[Mmrr]

I've had borderline anaemia since being unwell with RD. I take floradix which I buy myself, it has helped me maintain a reasonable haemoglobin level and it is gentle on the stomach too. Your GP should be able to provide you with iron tablets if you prefer.

[Summerrain14]

I have been anaemic for around four months now. Diagnosed anaemic before starting MTX and prescribed furrous fumarate to take three times a day. Still on it at the moment.

[Brushwork]

Yes, I take vitamins and eat leafy greens so keep it at bay. Being a vegetarian doesn’t help B12 is the golden vitamin for me.n

[nomoreheels]

Hiya SadiesMimi, welcome. I've been on MTX 11 years & had anaemia now & again, medicated & explored, but it's not related to MTX otherwise it would have been more regular. I also take 5mg folic acid 6 days so thought to be less likely. Also RD itself can cause anaemia, including iron-deficient (which is what I’ve had & is most common) & that caused by chronic inflammation. That's not to say yours may not be related to MTX, but something like 60% of people with RD have anaemia caused by chronic inflammation, not all of them can be on MTX.

Without knowing a little more it's a bit difficult to know how to help really. Obviously we're not medically qualified so can't help from that point of view but we are able to share experiences, thoughts & recommendations. How long have you been diagnosed for example, are you well controlled, do you take any other meds other than MTX, are you assuming it's the MTX or had it been suggested it may be the cause, do you each iron-rich foods as norm in your diet, has the anaemia been discussed with you. Helps us enormously & makes your experience here even better, so let us know. 😊

[SadiesMimi]

Thanks for replying. I have had RA for about 4 years and just started MTX in August of this year. I received a call from my DR last week saying that I have had a sudden drop in hemoglobin and needed to hold MTX for next 2 weeks.

[BoneyC]

No, not after 40 years on MTX but have had neutropenia.

[SadiesMimi in reply to BoneyC]

Does it cause any problems? Are you still able to do everything as normal?

[BoneyC in reply to SadiesMimi]

Cannot say I have any side effects on MTX. No, I can't do everything as normal, but it's been a gradual 50 year decline (dx in childhood). Surgery has helped with pain reduction, but not with mobility.

[Nicanoo in reply to BoneyC]

Wow, 40yrs!

[medway-lady]

I was tested and positive for Pernicious Anemia so have B12 by injection. A good idea to ask to be tested said the RA consultant.

[NanaFifi]

I was on MTX for a few years before I had any problems so not sure if low B12 relates directly to it. I had to have B12 injections for about a year then was tested again and my intrinsic factor was positive so not Pernicious Anaemia. I now just try to eat plenty B12 rich foods. x

[Hidden]

The doctor said I was anaemic 3 months before I started MTX. I took ferrous sulphate for about 8 months and there has been no more sign of anaemia, but I'm still taking MTX, so I don't think that caused the anaemia, more likely it was the RA.