Starting MTX

[pingu]

Apologies for not being around but I have absolutely zero time at the moment but felt it was remiss of me not to keep you posted.

So I took my last dose of MTX as it happened about three weeks ago. I had one dose left but forgot it and was going to take it on the Thursday night but had what was the start of a cyst. Had one before same area.

I went to my GP and he advised antibiotics and not to take the MTX for that week as it lowers my immune system. So far so good it made sense. He also advised that I am entitled to a flu jab. Note that in all of visits to GP blood and consultant nobody explicitly said if you get an infection STOP TAKING MTX. Even though it makes sense.

I am also supposed to be hooking up with a nurse.

No no not like that, just a monthly review of bloods meds etc. Which also makes sense.

Anyway no harm done.

I have had a chest xray and since nobody has called I assume I am all ok but not currently taking MTX.

I called my consultant and explained that my NHS consultant appointment is 12th November and she said to stay off MTX and see how I respond. So far so good. A little bit on my face but that always responded well to Dovobet so splash a little of that on and its gone real quick.

So I can also have a beer now but after 3 months not drinking religiously and wanting one now I have a choice I can't be bothered. I did have two pints and felt drunk so I am now a real cheap date. Used to be three pints before I felt happy.

My next episode will be the 12th November providing work don't find some mysterious way of screwing that up.

All in all three weeks off MTX and a huge amount of stress I can see some real faint patches but nothing to worry about or get down about. Happy to see how I go until the 12th and maybe get something to jump straight back on MTX when the need arises hopefully after a long period without. But the NHS probably wont let me do that and I will have to arrange an appointment when psoriasis returns which with work will mean possibly a major flare up at some point in the future and a long wait for an appointment.

I do feel that the NHS has performed well below what could be reasonably expected continuing to prescribe cheap ineffective medications for 30 years when alternatives were available.

I now recommend anyone with chronic illnesses to seek a consultation as your GP is just the guardian to that facility and will provide the lowest cost treatment they can get away with. I appreciate the sharp end of the health care system is stretched but you need to ask would my life have eben different if I hadn't had psoriasis all my life. Well yes I believe it would have.