Heartburn Indigestion Upset Stomach Diarreah
Q: I am usually a lurker but wanted to post and get your valued opinion! I
have been treated for RA for about 7 years I think. I have been on Vioxx,
Celebrex, Azulphidine (sp?) and Mobic. Last November I started having a lot
of upset stomach problems (w/diarhea constantly) and my rheumatologist took
me off of Azulphidine and Mobic. He put me on MTX pills. I stated out with
4 pills once a week, then upeed it to 6 and then to 8 pills. I felt like I
could see it was helping.
My concerns are:
1. I am wondering why ,my rheumatologist treated me for 7 years for RA and
now continues to keep me off my meds even though he thinks there is nothing
really wrong with me as far as having a cold/cough.
2. After reading more about MTX and the immune system, I am concerned that
my dr. seems unconcerned.
Any insight, opinions, advice or related situations
can anyone in the group help me please?
A:Your RD is likely being conservative allowing you to fully recover
before he restarts mtx. MTX at the big doses can cause a drop in the
immune system but if you had a low white count with mtx he would have
picked it up by now. Likely you had normal counts which is why he
wasn't too concerned.
I would get after the cough and seek treatment with you primary care
Dr. Rheumatologists often don't want to mess with other conditions
unfortunate but true.
I had a friend with very labored breathing, but her lungs were
clear. This went on quite a well, unfortunately it turned out to be
her heart. A virus had attacked