Anemic on MTX

[Guest guest]

For the last 2 months, my bloodwork has come back showing that I am anemic.

I have been on MTX since January, and my baseline bloodwork was fine - no

anemia, nor have I ever been anemic. It also seems that for about the last

6 weeks or so, my MTX has been becoming less effective. Either that or I

have been in a flare. I have an appt with my rheumy tomorrow to go over my

blood results and discuss where to go from here. Per my doc's

instructions, I did not take my MTX this past week (Friday is my usual

night) - I am really feeling it right now, lots of stiffness and pain. I

didn't think it would " wear off " so fast, but I a really hurting tonight.

I'm curious if anyone has had a problem with anemia that seems to be induced

by the MTX and if so, what was done for you? Honestly, the oral MTX side

effects have been a little hard on me (gastro stuff) even on a high dose of

Folic Acid to help. Is a biologic the next step and if so, any ideas what

the best option might be?

Wish me luck, I'm teaching a class tomorrow night that will require every

bit of energy I can muster (and that isn't much right now). I'm hoping

that she can start me on a Prednisone burst or do something for me so that I

can function tomorrow night and not just totally crash the next day.

Thanks!

Ronda

[Guest guest]

Ronda,

When I was on MTX, I also became anemic. What are your blood levels? I was in

the low 11's, I think I hit the high 10's a couple of times as well. My old

rheumy didn't have me do anything different. I've now been off the MTX since

June and my last blood test (couple of weeks ago), I was still a bit anemic.

Again, my dr. wasn't too worried about it. By the way, before my RA, I never

had an anemia problem.

Best wishes,

Tammy> > From: mamaronda@...> Date: Mon,

25 Aug 2008 23:43:41 -0600> Subject: [ ] Anemic on MTX> > For the last

2 months, my bloodwork has come back showing that I am anemic.> I have been on

MTX since January, and my baseline bloodwork was fine - no> anemia, nor have I

ever been anemic. It also seems that for about the last> 6 weeks or so, my MTX

has been becoming less effective. Either that or I> have been in a flare. I have

an appt with my rheumy tomorrow to go over my> blood results and discuss where

to go from here. Per my doc's> instructions, I did not take my MTX this past

week (Friday is my usual> night) - I am really feeling it right now, lots of

stiffness and pain. I> didn't think it would " wear off " so fast, but I a really

hurting tonight. > > > > I'm curious if anyone has had a problem with anemia

that seems to be induced> by the MTX and if so, what was done for you? Honestly,

the oral MTX side> effects have been a little hard on me (gastro stuff) even on

a high dose of> Folic Acid to help. Is a biologic the next step and if so, any

ideas what> the best option might be? > > > > Wish me luck, I'm teaching a class

tomorrow night that will require every> bit of energy I can muster (and that

isn't much right now). I'm hoping> that she can start me on a Prednisone burst

or do something for me so that I> can function tomorrow night and not just

totally crash the next day.> > > > Thanks!> > Ronda>

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