i have been told this morning by the nurse taking my blood that if i am ill i should not take methatrexate until i am better,

[gsmith]

if i dont take it for a few weeks will that cause the wegeners to flare???

[PatriciaAnn]

Hi Georgia

Your consultant is the person to say whether you should stop taking your methatrexate. If you are not well then you should contact his/her senior nurse or secretary and ask for advice.

Patricia

[PaulBingham]

Hi Georgia,

I agree with Patricia Ann.

I would add that if your illness was as a result of taking Methotrexate, then I can understand ceasing to take it, but if it is not a side effect of metho then I see no reason for stopping it.

If you have WG and therefore need an immune suppressive medication,but cant take metho, you should be directed to an alternativ such as Azathioprine or mycophenolate.

I find it very surprising that a nurse would make any decision relating to medication. This is an issue for your WG specialist consultant.

Good Luck

Paul

[gsmith]

thats what i thought, i am trying to get over a lingering chest infection and cold, i was a bit worried that it has taken longer than usual, i was explaining why i was a few weeks late for my blood test,methatrexate has never given me any problems

[JanetR]

I was advised not to take the methotrexate if I have a severe infection for which I was taking antibiotics when I started with it last autumn. I was told by the nurse that this was the case. I have just been advised by my consultant not to take it because my liver count was above normal levels, probably caused by drinking alchohol over Xmas/New Year and quickly following birthday! I have been two weeks without metho, and am starting to feel some joint pain returning, but have been advised I can take it again this week (injection). I have PAN, not WG.

[gsmith]

is it the computer or are there 2 gsmiths?? I too had my methotrexate stopped, they said it was affecting my liver,and giving me a cough.told them not a good idea,.....well I flared....6 months cyclophosimide..then mycophenelate..horrible side effects.rhumatologist says I have gone into spontaneous remission???? don't much feel like it......georgia