Methotrexate combined with Ursofalk seems t... - PBC Foundation

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Methotrexate combined with Ursofalk seems to be improving bilirubin levels and other blood tests.

skippydownunder profile image
8 Replies

After being prescribed methotrexate my blood tests have progressively improved. Bilirubin has now dropped to 26 (it was at 76 at its highest point) and the ALP! GGT, AST and ALT have also lowered. I am taking 15mg per week in one dose as well as 1250mg Ursofalk daily. You also have to take Megafol (high dosage folate) 6 days per week on the day you don't take the methotrexate. I feel fine with it.

Anyway, just thought I'd share this info.....hopefully the combo continues to show good results.

Skippy

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8 Replies
Karaliz profile image
Karaliz

That is wonderful news Skippy !

Really thrilled to hear this combination is working so well - here's to everything continuing to head in the right direction.

Keep well,

Karaliz ( from 23 degree Melbourne in August ?!!!!)

Puddles profile image
Puddles

Hi Skippy,

So pleased you have had such great improvements with the addition of methotrexate, and that you are feeling well! That is a dramatic drop in bilirubin, very good news,

All the best

Puddles

kim59 profile image
kim59

I started on methotrate fo RA 10mg took two doses and by second found i had shingles so had to stop I was reluctant to recomence until after I had seen my liver consultant The usual blood tests I have showed my normaly stable if above normal lfts had suddenly significantly risen and stayed up dispite not takeing the methotrxate I am now waitting fo a biopsy to confirm if i now have AIH as well . I am glad the combination is working well for you

I recently read about a clinical trial using naltroxene and urso to see if it could combat fatigue in PBC (and other liver disorders).

Keep us posted as to how your LFTs continue to perform.

Mobetta2013 profile image
Mobetta2013

Wonderful news!

littlemo profile image
littlemo

Hi skippy may I ask were you put on the Methotrexate simply for the rising LFTS or do you have AIH also? I ask as since I came off Urso over a year ago my LFTS are rising quite a bit including the Bilirubin which is currently 55. Ironically I feel better since coming off Urso than I ever did on it, " go figure" as the Americans would say. This is the strangest ting I find with PBC over the years the times I have felt horrendous this is not reflected in the LFTS yet now I feel fairly good and yet my LFTS are up the creek! Anyone else found this?

skippydownunder profile image
skippydownunder

Hi Littlemo

I only have PBC as far as I know. I feel fine, a bit tired at times, but my eyes are returning to white - they were yellow due to high bilirubin. Think my gastro decided on methotrexate as bilirubin increased the first month I was on Ursofalk alone. I do have itchy skin, in particular the soles of my feet. Put cortisone on which relieves it a bit. I don't know for sure but all I read said rising bilirubin is not a good sign so I do tend to focus a bit on those numbers. Also I heard that the bilirubin is what causes the itch.

Skippy

Magnolia profile image
Magnolia

For some reason, on my last blood workup my bile number at dropped a bit. The itch has pretty much subsided also, so this makes sense to me Skippydownunder.

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