METHOTREXATE

[AnnaB]

Hi Kelly

Dan is on antibiotics again as his hands are all infected, it is very painful and he is very itchy at night still. School have been understanding and got him a laptop to use in the classroom which he finds a great help.

Anna

[Jimbob]

Hi Anna

I hope Dan's hands have improved with the antibiotics. I am glad that his schoo wee understanding and gave him a laptop to use.

James is very up and down at the minute. His skin start to look better and then it suddenly flares really bad again. We are due back at the hospital early April so we shall see what happens then unless James needs to be seen before then.

Kelly x

[AnnaB]

Hi Kelly

Dans hands improved but generally he's not doing as well as expected. 3 weeks ago the dose of Methotrexate was increased but still he is struggling and with the first sign of the sun he has flared. We were in hospital for the day 3 weeks ago as he had a sore throat and they had to ensure his immune system was ok. We have now been put on a special fast track system to be able to go straight to the ward if he becomes unwell without having to go via the GP or A&E. Yesterday the consultant got Dans IgE results which is an amazingly high result of 12360 which she said would explain why he is not responding well to meds and this wasn't going to be an easy battle. Then when we talked through his sun allergy/photo sensitive eczema she said that would also make him harder to treat and maybe he'd be better off on a different medication Azathioprine but that would also take a long while to work so didn't want to give up on the Methotrexate just yet.

I hope James is doing ok, how did your trip to the consultant go?

Anna x

[Jimbob]

Hi Anna

I am sorry that Dan is still having such a rough time. James did well on azathioprine but it did take a while to work well. The appointment with James's consultant went well. James has now been taken off the azathioprine as he had been on it in total for just over 6 months. His Consultant does not want him to be on this medication longer than that without a break. He feels that it is something that he would be willing to use again in the future but would like him to have a break for at least 6 months. James is doing well at the moment though but he has only been off the azathioprine for a week now so time will tell.

James has been scheduled for a milk challenge on 6th June. His specialist is not expecting him to pass but depending on the type of reaction he has will determine if he fits the criteria for the milk desensitization programme. If James does not fit the criteria then they will look at doing a baked milk challenge instead.

I hope Dan is doing a little better than he was when you last posted. It is great that you are now on the special fast track system but I hope you have not had to use it.

Kelly x

[Marcie Mom]

Hi!

I've actually come across this because I'm researching for my latest Eczema Medication Series, and working on understanding Methotrexate (Cyclosporine already published yesterday). So sorry, Anna, I didn't come across this post before as I wasn't familiar with methotrexate due I've seen parents mentioning it. Didn't know that Daniel's having such a tough time till now. Sending lots of hugs!

Will antibiotics interfere with the medication? While preparing for the post, I've come across that medication which are anti-inflammatory or antibiotics need to be told to the doc. So will the doc amend the dosage of the course due to taking of antibiotics?

Hugs, hugs, hugs, so so sorry, and hope everything is better and your whole family can have a wonderful Mother's Day next Sunday!
Mei

[Jimbob]

Hi Anna

How is Dan now? I really hope he is showing some improvement.

Kelly x

[AnnaB]

Hello Mei & Kelly

Dan is struggling but has managed to remain off antibiotics, though with the warm weather he is finding night times very difficult. He is ok while they have him on Prednisolone with the Methotrexate but as soon as that stops he flares again. He is begging for Prednisolone at night to help him he is begging me for something to help him sleep. I often use his codine but that is not good to keep using. We see the consultant tomorrow so see what she says, but he needs something more, it is stopping him from doing activities with his peers
Kelly How is James doing??

Anna

[Marcie Mom]

Oh dear.. but Prednisolone can't just be taken like antihistamine, has to follow the course and I heard from a derm recently that at most 4 course a year for kids.. if that doesn't resolved, then have to look into something else.. so sorry, sending hugs your way,
Mei

[AnnaB]

I understand the issues around taking Prednisolone ( my sister is a physio) but the Methotrexate takes a long time to work and after 6 months failed on ciclosporin we have been desperate to get through each day. The upshot of todays appointment is Dan has agreed to have the Methotrexate by injection as his does could not be increased any further. Given by injection it should work much much better and dose may even be able to be reduced over time. I will receive training next week to administer the injections myself at home. Time to be brave x

[Marcie Mom]

Sending TONS of HUGS your way!
Mei