been on methotreaxte for six months,have to come off as affecting my liver.any advice would be great.reducing prednisolone also,worried x

[linnieh]

[helixhelix]

Hi there. All I can offer is that there's a huge range of different drugs now so lots of other options apart from MTX. Often you have to leave a gap before you can start something else, but hopefully not too long. And livers are wonderful things as they are very good at repairing themselves, so the effects of the MTX shouldn't be permanent. So try not to worry. Polly.

[linnieh in reply to helixhelix]

Thank you....will have to speak to my Dr. Just was ticking along thinking I had cracked it.....stupid me!! X

[oldtimer]

Usually the liver function goes back to normal (you're not drinking lots of alcohol, of course....sigh, I do still miss it.....a couple of small glasses a week carefully measured out just isn't the same....).

There are several other DMARDs you can go on - hydrochloroquine, sulphasalazine, azothioprine, but they will usually be tried one at a time and usually in the step up (from a lower to a higher dose) if you have previous liver problems.

Unfortunately it all takes time. Best of luck finding something quickly.

[linnieh in reply to oldtimer]

Thanks for all your answers. Used to have couple of small glasses of wine in a week at most but decided a while back not to anymore ad I get terrible hot flushes too. Tried hydrochloroquine,came out in awful itch rash. It's so good to be able to talk to you all on here....thanks x

[Beeper]

Hi don't worry I got a lung infection after taking It and spent two weeks in hospital on oxygen. But recovered fine. They put me onto azathioprine and it seems to be ok. Chin up, don't give in and I'm sure you will be back to,your old self in no time.

[Hidden]

Hi, I too had adverse effects with MTX (pneumonitis), even though I was noticing that it was actually working.I'm now on Hydroxychloroquine and sulfasalazine combination. Still waiting to see if they are working as well as the MTX, but certainly am not as bad as I was pre MTX. Have only been on the full doses of both for a couple of weeks, so may have to wait a bit longer for any results.

But as people have said there are still good treatments even if you can't take MTX.

Carolyn x

[samuffin]

Hello

I had major liver problems and came off mtx. But following a biopsy it was decided to try again. The haematologist suggested a very low dose as I'm only 7stone 7. The liver results became far more acceptable and I was then put on etanacept injections as well. That is 2 years ago and my blood results remain fine.

[Hidden]

Hi poor you. I have had problems with MTX and my liver twice in 7 months. Both times were when I had a bit of alcohol so I've had to quit completely now because even the odd glass of wine carefully measured makes my liver rise too much for my GP's liking. I wish you luck - as people keep telling me there are plenty of other drugs to try so please don't worry. Tilda x