GCA LVV Methotrexate Part 3

[Oxfordboy2]

Hi Everyone.2 months since I last posted so thought I would update you on my progress.In November I was invited by my hospital to fill in an online questionnaire re my condition.This I did and once I was assessed I was given a telephone consultation date in January this year.Come December I caught COVID and what a horrible thing that was.For 3 days I was almost bedridden but thankfully I am now fully recovered but it took 5 weeks in all.Yesterday I had my rheumatology phone consultation which I felt was rather hurried.Having looked at my answers to the questionnaire the Doctor was pleased with my progress and agreed with me I am in remission.I then asked if it would be possible to reduce my MTX again down to 10mg once a week as the last reduction 10 months ago had worked very well.The doctor also said my blood tests were consistently good.As my bloods are good I asked if this could be the basis to reduce MTX but he answered no.This was the interesting point to me,he said the bloods do not tell him anything about my condition but do alert him if MTX is effecting any organs.The way to know for sure would be to have a PET scan which he will arrange for March and depending on the results may be able to lower my meds.He also thought the length of treatment would be 4 years for me so if all goes well 2 more years to go.I also asked if I am lucky enough to come off meds completely would I need to be monitored.The doctor replied that bloods every 6 months for 2 years would be advisable.I will update after PET scan.

[DogAgilityObsessed]

I would be heartened by a rheumy not expecting you to be all better in two years (or less). But I'm sorry I cannot advise on the MTX (I'm busy researching DMARDS in preparation for a rheumy nurse T/C tomorrow).