I had my first visit with the rheumatologist in April last year and subsequent appointments have been with the nurse specialist. She told me on each visit that it was time to consider methotrexate. I assumed she was passing this information on from the consultant.
I had an appointment yesterday with the man himself. He didn’t have anything to add about my treatment as he was quite happy that I was being monitored by the eye clinic.
I then showed him my letter about the Methotrexate study, and he said Methotrexate is a drug we rarely use for PMR, it is mainly used for rheumatoid arthritis!! I made no comment!
The doctor running the study was also at the clinic, so I signed up for the study there and then. Apart from measuring weight etc. and a few questions about physical activity and alcohol consumption, she measured the stiffness of my liver with a Fibro-Scan.
The measurement could be between one and seventy but only babies are likely to have a measurement of one or two. My liver gave a reading of five!! After having problems with my spine for most of my adult life and taking painkillers on and off for quite long periods I often wondered if my liver was OK. Now I know it is very healthy indeed and I am delighted, and it seems I can relax at my future appointments and not get keyed up about refusing Methotrexate!
They are doing the study to try and ‘prove’ that Methotrexate is not harmful to the liver.
Written by
Omanain
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I think the average normal is something like 5.3 for fibrosis I thought there was a different figure given for the steatosis - fatty liver. I am not that knowledgable so I may be totally wrong.
Sounds good re the liver....always good to get a check that normally doesn't get covered on a day to day basis. I take Pain killers and have a fancy liver so wouldn't mind a check. I have been a part of 2 studies/rolling out drugs treatments and it was the best looked after I ever felt!
Great dog and great photo..🌻
• in reply to
Poop are you bragging or complaining about your ‘fancy’ liver? Or is auto correct at it again? 😉
• in reply to
🤣🤣🤣 auto correct....my phone updated system and keyboard. It's having to learn again...hey ho. I prefer to think it's a fancy rather than fatty liver so it can stay.🤫
He is my son's dog. He is sitting at the top of a skate board ramp waiting for my son to throw the ball. Utterly focused!! Something my wandering pred mind can't achieve at the moment!
I have a cocker spaniel that states at a ball for 10 mins if needs be. They are so focussed and I am terrible at it too. When I drift off during ball games she starts whoo hooong me if I don't throw the ball. It is a great photo too.
Goodness that was a narrow squeak. I would have felt like your dog before I met the enlightened Rheumatologist. Participating in a study earns you a lot of attention. I was pleased to be part of one of Prof.Sarah Mackie’s ( Rheumatology) studies into fatigue and PMR. I felt like a private patient.
Great news about your liver - that was worth knowing.
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