Methotrexate blood tests

I am not convinced my GP even looks at my results! I Look at them myself and if they are stabilised, I often leave it for 3 months. I am not a medic but if the results are more or less the same, I think 3 months is ok. No one has told me to go more often.

[zoe69 Moderator Volunteer Vasculitis UK]

I am on azathioprine.Started end of May and I have blood tests every two weeks. Rheumy consultant said that the plan is: every two weeks for at least 3 months, monthly for 6 months and then every 3 months...

Don't you see another doctor except your GP? Or have a nurse line to call and ask? My rheumy nurse is a gem!

[Lupylass]

There are shared care protocols for methotrexate. You should be able to find one for your health authority but here is an example

cumbria.nhs.uk/Professional...

[AndrewT]

Dear Magnolia25,

I have just come across, your post, you don't say how long you have been on the medication. This IS important- for example I'm now seen every three months. This is because my blood, urine and so on are stable. However, to begin with, and whenever the medication is altered, I have to have, at least, two blood tests in the following few weeks.

I confess that I'm, very surprised indeed, that there is no 'system' in place, for you and that your Doctors/Consultants have not explained all of this to you. Are you only reliant on your GP? This, once again, seems rather strange-to say the least. I would ask, actually politely insist (I DO mean politely), on speaking to the Doctors, who deal with your 'case'. (If you don't get the 'right' response then, and only then, 'play' the Confused/Frightened/Worried (dam well 'Shit Scared'-if you have to!) You DO know how to do this, don't you? It's just that, like the rest of us, you don't WANT to. Nether do any, of us, but sometimes there ARE times. (I'm telling you this as someone who has HAD to do this, once or twice myself-I know that you won't abuse this/try it 'on' too often, don't I?).

Please don't take me for a Trouble-Maker please Magnolia, I'm just offering you friendly advice here. I'm sure that you understand this.

I leave you with my very best wishes and hope 'all' goes well, for you.

AndrewT

[Hidden in reply to AndrewT]

I have been on methotrexate for about 10 years. I see a rheumatologist every 6 months. In my GP practice you take pot luck as to which partner you see. None of them specialise in RA . I came off MTX some time ago when I noticed my liver function was not right. No doctor noticed this. I rang the rheumatology dept. and was told to come off MTX and then went back on a lower dose. I really don't visit my GP practice about RA.

[AndrewT in reply to Hidden]

Dear Magnolia25,

Do you not have a Consultant/Specialist available, at the hospital. If not can you get a referral to Addenbrooke's, in Cambridge? Dr David Jane, is there, the leading expert-and also an adviser to Vasculitis UK, our Sister Organisation.

Do try and see him, or his team.

Very best wishes Andrew T

[Hidden in reply to AndrewT]

I do see o consultant rheumatologist every 6 months at my local hospital. I am too far away from Cambridge to go there. Thanks for your advice