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Methotrexate and GP appointments

Posted , 2 users are following.

sophie9057
sophie9057

Hi all,

I just wanted to ask how people dealt with all their GP appointments while taking methotrexate. What sort of routine you have.

I've been taking it for 6 weeks now having been diagnosed with sero negative inflammatory arthritis. At the moment I am upping my dose every 2 weeks which means I have a blood test every 2 weeks (the day before I up my dose), followed by multiple phone calls the day after to get my results and find out if I'm OK to up the dose (always a nightmare with the GP receptionists!) Then I have another appointment to see a nurse to fill in my drug monitoring book. Plus I don't get given many tablets at a time so I have to get another prescription every 2 weeks as well.

It's getting a little ridiculous and even though I will soon be moving to blood tests once a month, it still seems like a lot of telephone calls, appointments and prescriptions. I know a lot of people take this drug and have to go through the same thing but my GP seems a bit clueless as to what sort of appointment routine is easiest for everyone.

It may be that this is just the way it goes but if anyone has any tips then they'd be great to hear!

Thanks

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Dinah54
    Dinah54 sophie9057

    Posted

    Hi Sophie

    I'm on my 7th week - also for sero negative inflammatory arthritis so will be interested to see how you get on.

    The hospital won't let my GP do blood tests for the first 6 months so I have been going up to London every two weeks for bloods and the person who takes the bloods records the previous tests in the monitoring book. I was started on 10mg but the specialist nurse who I saw for the first time at 6 weeks put me up to 15 mg starting this week so I have to have a few more fortnightly appointments while they check my bloods are still ok and then I can go on monthly tests. But when the dose goes up to the ultimate 20mg I will have to go back to 2 weekly blood tests. Personally I love the excuse to escape to London every two weeks! And there are no phone calls involved.....

    Were you diagnosed immediately with inflammatory arthritis or did you arrive at it via the PMR route?

    • sophie9057
      sophie9057 Dinah54

      Posted

      Hi Dinah

      I'm being seen between two different counties, at the hospital I saw my specialist they always hand over care straight to the GP after diagnosis, but in the county that my GP is in they don't take over care until I'm on a stable dose. Hence why I'm slightly in limbo. I don't mind too much as I'm currently working part time but I hope to go into full time work soon and worry that I'll have to take so much time off for appointments!

      I'm only 24 so it didn't start with PMR. I have had the pain in my hip for 2 years on and off but only recently got diagnosed and put on a treatment plan. Sadly during the time it took waiting for appointments I had a big flare up and caused more damage to the cartillage so the methotrexate is to try and hold off anymore damage.

      How are you finding the methotrexate? Have you had any reduction in pain? I can't say I've noticed any big differences yet but I suppose it takes time.

    • Dinah54
      Dinah54 sophie9057

      Posted

      I thought after the third dose I might have felt a bit better - but it may have been wishful thinking.

      In fact I have a horrible feeling I might have more pain and stiffness now than before. But I will give it the benefit of the doubt and see it through to twelve weeks.

      I hope it works out well for you - it seems very unfair to have it so young.

  • 1_hand_works
    1_hand_works sophie9057

    Posted

    Hi Sophie9057, I have SLE and am on week 2 of 6 x 2.5mg weekly dose of methotrexate as well as 400mg of plaquenil as my previous plan of plaquenil+ steroid wasn't working. I was led to believe that the hospital / lupus clinic deal with the methotrexate and blood tests??? I am just interested if you are taking folic acid every day apart from the day you take the methotrexate as well? I just felt tired the day after my first dose but this last dose I have felt shocking for three days, has anyone else felt the same?? Plus how much more is the risk of infection? I work in a hospital face to face patient contact and infection control say that there isn't a problem. Does anyone have any advice. please?
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