Starting MTX

[pingu]

I know I need the blood tests but when I had my first two I was told that unless there was something amiss I would not be contacted. However the letter seems contradictory in that it asks me to get in touch to have them done again and book an appointment for another test in 3 months. 

Clearly the surgery are not in tune with my treatment as currently I am on fortnightly tests with my next booked for 5th August. Then it says to make another appointment to repeat the test in 3 months? My consultant said I would be n fortnightly tests for three months, then monthly for three months then three monthly, All clearly detailed in the consultant letter to the GP.

I guess as it's all new it's a little confusing. I will find out tomorrow when I call, probably nothing as I feel fine.

My skin is better than it has been in quite a while, still lots of little patches but thats without applying any other treatments which I chose to do to see if it was MTX working or just the psoriasis responding positively to Dovobet. Certainly less aggressive, less red and less raised.

Given that my skin is usually responsive to sunlight and did quite well while I was in Africa for large portions of the last 8 months the flare up was a little suprise but seeing as we have not or rather are not having a great summer I am relying on MTX.

As  a minimum MTX I feel is holding it in check or slowing it.

Surprising how fast things go as it is now halfway through week four. I guess MTX is also dependent on dose and I only had my first 15g dose five days ago so as the dose increases I should see results. I don't have any other dosage increases until after the 10th August which is my next consultation. There may be no need to increase but the consultant did seem to expect that I may need 20-25g. I guess it's a process.

The positives are definitely there, not clear but moderated, I am not leaving in a cloud of dust.

I am now back in the NHS system so won't need ongoing private fees which would be expensive. I have my private follow up on 10th Aug and my NHS appointment on the 27th. Not sure if I just rock up and tell the NHS consultant I am on MTX and hope they continue it, I think I would be gutted if they took me off it, provided I am seeing positive results.

Sorry for the rambling post just some thoughts, it's a little confusing at present, waiting for positive definitive effects, juggling appointments and moving from private to NHS and also less than informative letters.

[Fred]

Sorry for the rambling post just some thoughts, it's a little confusing at present, waiting for positive definitive effects, juggling appointments and moving from private to NHS and also less than informative letters.

Don't apologise, it's what Psoriasis Club is for "Sharing".

Just  thought, are your bloods getting mixed up with Private and NHS? What I mean is are they both doing separate tests, it does seem odd but hopefully you will get an answer tomorrow.

[pingu]

Yeah I am as confused about my bloods.

There is a disconnect in that my GP sent me for a private referral to expedite things.

My GP is doing the bloods as directed by the private consultant with dates in the consultants letter of when to do bloods.

I guess I will find out in the morning. I don't actually suspect an issue just a little confusion.

[jiml]

Yes you will have confused them with private consultations and NHS appointments... But to be honest they can't do to many blood tests .... It's far better having to many Rather than too few tests, as Fred says just enjoy the effect it's having on the skin ....

I'm sure when the dermatologist hears that methotrexate is working he will be pleased to see you carry in with it
Good luck anyway

[Caroline]

Agreed with Jim.
If you have no side effects.
If it is working well
If your bloods stay ok.
Then they certainly will continue to provide you with MTX, as it is a very cheap medication

[pingu]

So what happened!

The consultant recommends my P£NP is checked at 3 monthly intervals and my GP rather than having that checked as part of my normal bloods as they need to have a separate test sheet. So the upshot is that my GP surgery for whatever reason deicde to send me a letter to say get your bloods done again without being clear as to what was required.

Personally it was not a great weekend as the surgery said if everything is ok we won't contact you. I then get the letter and worry. I wouldn't mind I am generally not a worrier.

All in all a pain in the arse but no harm done. I suggested that they can take any one of my blood tests and get that tested for P3NP, awesome idea but why didn't they think of that.

Just look forward to MTX Wednesday and my weekly highlight of Folic Acid Friday.

[pingu]

This weeks MTX doseage of 15mg passed without incident. Nothing new or exciting to report just that my psoriasis is still relatively quiet and less aggressive.

I do think some modifications to my lifestyle would help as at present I am getting very little sleep with work and under stress which we all know is far from helpful. Need to see what I can do on the lifestyle side of things.

[Caroline]

This weeks MTX doseage of 15mg passed without incident. Nothing new or exciting to report just that my psoriasis is still relatively quiet and less aggressive.

I do think some modifications to my lifestyle would help as at present I am getting very little sleep with work and under stress which we all know is far from helpful. Need to see what I can do on the lifestyle side of things.

Certainly less stress helps. We all know how it is at work, for some reason we are always in a hurry. If you can change your lifestyle then you should do so. Often that is the only way of changing things for yourself, as the world around you will not change quickly or adapt to you.

[jiml]

This weeks MTX doseage of 15mg passed without incident. Nothing new or exciting to report just that my psoriasis is still relatively quiet and less aggressive.

I do think some modifications to my lifestyle would help as at present I am getting very little sleep with work and under stress which we all know is far from helpful. Need to see what I can do on the lifestyle side of things.

Certainly less stress helps. We all know how it is at work, for some reason we are always in a hurry. If you can change your lifestyle then you should do so. Often that is the only way of changing things for yourself, as the world around you will not change quickly or adapt to you.  

I think it's positive that your psoriasis is less aggressive, it shows the methotrexate is working. Perhaps not as fast as you would like, but it's not a quick fix , better to be slow and steady and get a good result without to many side effects...
A change in lifestyle would be good if you can achieve it, I'm not sure how to de-stress in the modern world where everything moves so fast, even a change of diet might help although it's not something I could do.

I would not worry too much about changing, I would just continue as you are and give methotrexate a good chance

[Fred]

Yes Caroline and Jim are right, lifestyle changes can help but it depends how far you go with it.

For example it's good to get off the sofa and go out for a walk, but in my case it can make my feet very painful if I overdue it and Iend up causing myself more problems.

The lifestyle changes to go for are the ones that you would actually enjoy, and not the ones that make it become a task. If it's diet, then eat drink what you like in moderation I say as life is to short and it won't have much effect in my opinion.