MTX side effects | Arthritis Information
Hi all,
Just got my bloodwork from last week and my BUN/Creatnine level was increased. This has never happened before in my life, so I have to assume its from the MTX. Could anyone tell me if this happened to you and if doc did anything about it? I hate to start worrying about my kidneys now. He wants me to do a medrol dose pak for the swelling in my hands that I have had for three months. Has anyone done this and if so did you get any good results that lasted? Thanks a lot,
My last bloodwork showed a "Protein to Creatinine Ratio" that was higher than usual, also for the first time. I looked it up and it does refer to kidney function. My RD hasn't called about it and my PCP also gets a copy of it and neither has commented, so I guess it's OK. I'm not sure if it's the MTX doing it or the acyclovir I started taking to stop the blisters I'm getting on my face from the MTX. If you're really concerned, I'd call the doctor just to ease your mind. I know that MDs seem to ignore slight changes in the numbers and what looks scary to us is really not a big deal, but you won't know that until you talk to your doctor. Thanks Snow and Jesse. Jesse, youre right, my doc never even mentioned the elevated BUN, I just saw it when I requested copy of bloodwork. And Snow, he wants to up the MTX! SHeeeesh, you just dont know what to do. Thats great to know that the swelling went away on your knee; I sure hope it works on my hands! Im starting it in the morning. I am still on 5mg of Pred every day, I cant seem to get off it, so I hope this Medrol doesnt make it even harder to decrease the Pred. Thanks again, Paula, are you taking NSAIDs or any other meds? They could be increasing your BUN too. If it just slightly elevated they will just watch up. Mine goes up and down fairly regular but never too high. I would hate to drop MTX and Pred is my friend too.
Sometimes they try to "jump start" your inflammatory clock by trying the medrol pack. Its works for me. Takes the swelling down quick and it stays down too.Oh my gosh Girrl, I sure hope that works for me because I am on a Medrol pak now for three days and my hands at least my fingers are better. Gosh I would give anything if the swelling stays down. I dont take NSAIDS anymore because they just flat don't help me. I am on low dose 5mg Pred after tapering and the MTX. and now the dose pak that my doc gave me the other day. Thanks for the encouraging words!!My liver panel came back elevated this last month when I had my blood work done. After 5 years (or more) that's the first time that's ever happened. He had me retake it and I don't know the results of that yet. Sort of anxious to see that myself. I've never had anything other than the Sedsrate elevated.....so it is bothersome.
Hope everythings goes ok with yours. Often they'll request that you retake the lab. It could just be a fluke....tech error....or just the luck of the day. Either way my doctors have always reassured me that the majority of problems can be corrected quickly if found soon enough. That's the reason for the frequent labs. I guess that's a good thing.
I've never done a dose pack; but on many occations I've take qucik courses of predisone. Same thing; and it always helps me. Hope that will be the case for you too.
Thanks a lot Lovie, Im keeping my fingers crossed, but gently.
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