Thank you, thank you so much. I posted last evening of my concern with bleeding and bruising with Methotrexate. I received so many amazng responses that I felt I needed to comment here instead of several individual responses. Most of you feel this is the Prednisone. I am on 20 mg, so do hope that as I go down this will be better. I have had thin skin for a long time, so have had bruising before, the blood blister and bleeding was more of a concern. I am going to look for the double gel to put on my arms to help this. Someone asked about the doses of Methotrexate, the folic acid, and the proton pump inhibitor. I am taking six X 2.5 mg Methotrexate once a week. On the following day I take 1 5 mg. Leucovorin (folic acid), I take 2 X Famotidine twice daily (this is the proton inhibitor Pepsid). Someone mentioned the low platelets. As it turned out my primary care physician ordered a test on this. I had the test today, so will find that out next Tuesday, the 5th of July when I go to see him. I will not see my rheumatologist until the 7th of August. I have had no stomach problems. I am still very sore in the morning, particularly in my wrists. Today was especially bad as my blood work had to be fasting, so couldn't take the Prednisone until I was able to havae breakfast. Thank you for all of your comments. I really appreciate your expertise and help in all of this. You are such a blessing!!!
My only observation is that with so many different drugs in your system, you really won't know what is the cause of your problems. I was on Prednisone and Methotrexate until I determined there was no benefit to the Methotrexate and read about all of its side effects. Ugh!
If the methotrexate is not doing you any material good, I would get off it. You can terminate methotrexate "cold turkey" without any side effects. Beyond that, lots of threads about methotrexate. Don't recall anyone concluding it really did any good.
My Platelet count went thru' the roof just after starting preds, it's still high at 2 mg some two years later. All the answers I have received ref. this indicate it's due to taking steroids, both from my GP and the hospital and my research on the web? I have attached a scan of my latest bloods if you wish to compare results?
Thanks. I am so new to this. I have been on the prednisone for about two months now and have only had two weekly doses of the methotrexate. Yes, with so many meds, it is hard to say. I also take digoxin for Afib, thyroid meds, blood pressure meds, and low dose aspirin. Until about 14 years ago I took nothing. Donna