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Psoriatic Arthritis and Taking Methotrexate: Blood Work Comments[31][F], 5'2" 90 lbs, white and Hispanic, biologic taken, no longer taking Methotrexate with psoriatic arthritis. No drinking or smoking.My rheumatologist is taking me off Methotrexate due to my blood work, in conjunction with me feeling absolutely awful.Can a doctor please explain why those comments on the two blood results were written? Is it that serious? Meaning--my doctor wants me to take a repeat. What is concerning?I attached the photos w/ Imgur:https://imgur.com/a/FDmJ7A0"RBC01 3.49 Low 3.62 07/23/2021 x10E6/uL 3.77-5.28 Macrocytes present. Anisocytosis present."" Neutrophils (Absolute) 01 1.0 Low "" Alkaline Phosphatase01 128 High 76* 07/23/2021 IU/L 44-121 AST (SGOT) 01 70 High 29 07/23/2021 IU/L 0-4 ": Hematology Comments: Verified by microscopic examination"
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Youve got a macrocytic anemia, likely due to the methotrexate causing a folate deficiency basically the blood cells are bigger than normal and not developing properly.The anisocytosis just means you have a variety of different sized RBCs, meaning its likely that you are within 90 days of when the assumed folate deficiency started - blood cells live on average about 90 days so you either have a mild deficiency or its somewhat new.Neutrophils can be low for many reasons, its not at a super worrisome level but couple with the anemia its likely partially due to one of the multiple mechanisms of immune suppression from methotrexate.Alk phos/ALT/AST are liver function tests, its just saying theyre slightly elevated. Overall not super worrisome levels but again likely due to cytotoxic effects from methotrexate.Its more so they dont want you to GET bad rather than the labs ARE bad. They are borderline right now but when you have a known drug causing it, you want to stop it sooner than later. They are likely just recheckingnit to make sure they dont need to do further intervention to prevent worsening effects and ensure your body is recovering before they would try an alternative therapy or restart the current therapy if absolutely needed.Definitely a conversation to have with them for more details, not a rheumatologist so I dont know all the cytotoxic effects of methotrexate off the top of my head.
32F, Fatigue, Migraines, Mild Bradycardia, Mild Anemia,Hi Reddit,My girlfriend has chronic fatigue, migraines, weakness, dizziness, and occasional stomach pains which cause her to be unable to work or leave the home somewhere around 1 in 4 days. She has been to several doctors who all use a very compartmentalized approach that simply finds nothing. Getting her to go to more doctors is a challenge, partly because of the fatigue but also because it seems to go nowhere (and I can't blame her). Here's the medical history as we've found it so far:Basic InfoWhite female32 years oldBorn Russia living in United States5'2", 95 lbs.No tobacco, vape user, moderate drinkerLittle useful family historySymptomsMigraines and other headaches, 1-2x/wk, varying in response to NSAIDs and triptans (sometimes helps, sometimes doesn't)Often feels dizzy or says room goes black when she "stands up too fast"Can also black out under substantial stressCold hands/feet that she sometimes complains are numbLast year had several instances of extremely severe stomach pain, once resulting in hospitalization (has no reoccurred this year), no cause foundFatigue 3-5x/month severe enough to not leave home even without complaints of headacheDepression, PTSD-like symptoms from childhood traumaRecently measured heart rate of 57 bpm in eveningDiagnostics AttemptedHead and abdomen CT & MRI, negativeColonoscopy, Dx: gastritis, recommended treat with PPI and dietBloodwork, positive results: mild anemia (says all bloodwork since childhood was same), mild vitamin D defBloodwork, negative results: CBC and other basic hematology, thyroid issues, Lyme diseaseRx / TreatmentNexplanon implant (~2 years)J&J corona vax, 3/2020, no boost (previous infection: Delta)Bupropion + psychotherapy for depressionVitamin DIbuprofen and/or triptans for migrainesAdd'l InfoOften has trouble sleeping at night, ends up sleeping in morning until early afternoonDiet could be better (eats at random times, often not the healthiest foods)Does not exercise (dislikes running, weight lifting, outdoor activities in sun/heat)Stress seems to trigger episodes but can happen even without stress triggerAnyone have any idea what to try next for diagnostics? The reading of 57 bpm is a newer symptom and was contemporaneous with the cold/numb extremities, so perhaps some kind of cardiology workup? Having a partner that is constantly sick with no idea what's going on is stressing us and our relationship, but more importantly worries me that something significant may be being missed.
HR of 57 is normal.I know you said doctors have used a very compartmentalised approach, but I would actually use the term thorough.Incredibly so. While I appreciate how frustrating it can be for all of these things to come back negative, it is reassuring that theres no gross medical abnormality.The tests she has had are all incredibly sensitive and have even been repeated in different modalities, so the chance something has been missed is slim to none.I strongly suspect that what youre seeing is the effects of a functional disorder. With a functional disorder, there is no physical pathology resulting in symptoms. Rather, the symptoms are a manifestation of psychological trauma and/or psychiatric issues; two things that we know your partner unfortunately has.It is important to note that these symptoms are incredible real for the individual, even in the absence of physical pathology. This is not faking in any way.Your partners history is highly typical of this: general, multi-system symptoms with normal investigations.The management of these conditions is challenging. When theres a physical pathology, we can target it. When there isnt, theres nothing physical for us to target.That leaves us with the non-physical targets, which in this case is psychology/psychiatry. The most effective treatment for functional disorders with a known mental health history is treatment of said mental health history through a combination of medical and talking therapies.