Methotrexate is an immunosuppressant and chemotherapeutic drug, which is used to treat cancer (leukemia, breast cancer, lymphoma, and lung cancer) and various autoimmune diseases (psoriasis, Crohn's disease, and rheumatoid arthritis). It can also be used for ectopic pregnancies and medical abortions. This drug prevents the growth of certain cells that reproduce quickly in the body, for example, cancer and skin cells.
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Is a positive RNP test indicative of rheumatoid arthritis?
Query: Hi doctor, I have been diagnosed with RNP positive. I have dry eyes problem. Is RNP positive alone considered as RA? My ANA was negative and all other things negative. My eosinophils are 8.5% in my blood, and I am always suffering from col. I am on HCQS 200 and Defza 6 mg. Please help me. Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. You may be suffering from mixed connective tissue disorder. But do not worry you may have to take above medications along with that you may take tablet Banocide forte 100 mg twice daily for three weeks. Avoid using plastic. Take plenty of fruits with vegetables. Use ... Read Full »
I suffer from pain in my joints despite taking medications. Why?
Query: Hello doctor, I am a 36-year-old, male, height 160 cm, and weight 52 kg. I am suffering from an autoimmune disease, for the last 20 years. 13 years ago, I took Methotrexate 7.5 mg to 12.5 mg and got fully recovered. Later again 10 years back I got the same issue, and the same doctor prescribed Sulfa... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. You need to remember that Sulfasalazine is a very weak drug and does not show much response. Methotrexate is good but takes about six weeks to start acting and show response. I would suggest a short course of steroids Methylprednisolone 4 mg once a day for 10 days a... Read Full »
I have chronic lupus pain. Please help.
Query: Hello doctor, I am experiencing chronic lupus pain every day which is debilitating and unpredictable and is making day-to-day tasks unbearable. I am always fatigued and tend to take multiple breaks throughout the day. Currently, I am taking Methotrexate and Endone. Kindly help. Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. You now have exclusive access to expert medical opinion. I am sorry to hear that you are experiencing chronic pain and fatigue due to lupus. Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can cause inflammation throughout the body, leading to a range of symptoms, including join... Read Full »
Will ectopic pregnancy terminates on its own as miscarriage?
Query: Hello doctor, Can an ectopic pregnancy be detected on a transvaginal or simple abdominal ultrasound, if I am in two to three weeks of pregnancy? What are the chances that an ectopic pregnancy miscarries spontaneously? In case of rupture to the fallopian tube in the ectopic pregnancy, does the pregn... Read Full »
Dr. Mujawar Nawajsharif Gaibiso
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Transvaginal ultrasound can detect ectopic as early as two weeks, much before TAS (transabdominal sonography). Ectopic pregnancy always terminates as miscarriage, but inside the abdomen with profuse bleeding intraabdominally that can be life threatening. Pregnancy ends ... Read Full »
Will Methotrexate cause more hair fall when used for alopecia areata?
Query: Hi doctor,I am a 31-year-old female. Currently, I have alopecia areata. It got flared up due to my current stress situation. I am looking for a medication to cure it. I heard about Dexamethasone and Methotrexate for treating it. My dermatologist advised me to take Methotrexate. I am concerned about ... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Alopecia areata is a chronic recurrent condition that occurs due to a genetic component. Due to its genetic component, it has a tendency to recur again and again. Both Dexamethasone and Methotrexate are good options. Taking Methotrexate is better as it causes fewer ... Read Full »
How much time does Methotrexate take to lower hCG level in ectopic pregnancy?
Query: Hello doctor, I have a query on ectopic pregnancy. My wife is having one and her beta hCG levels were 125.25 mIU/ml after taking her first shot of Methotrexate. Yesterday, she got her second shot and her beta hCG levels today were 141. I wanted to know how much time Methotrexate takes to low down th... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I hope you had taken the Methotrexate dose under supervision only. The usual protocol is to check for a repeat beta hCG on the fourth day of taking Methotrexate. Early testing may cause undue anxiety and panic as it takes some time for the levels to come down. Moreov... Read Full »
Does Glucosamine have any side effects?
Query: Hello doctor, My mother has primary symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. She takes Methotrexate 10 mg weekly and for her heart, she takes Nebicard 5 mg and Caat 20 mg. She has no flaring of her symptoms but random mild joint pain occasionally. I would like to know is she in remission? How do you define... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Yes, she is in remission. It is defined as clinically or less joint pain and or swelling with no morning stiffness. I suggest she can take Glucosamine. There is no interaction with the other drugs that she is taking, Common side effects of Glucosamine are diarrhea, c... Read Full »
Do you think that a skin test is enough to diagnose scleroderma?
Query: Hi doctor, I traveled to a different country to get more in depth testing of multiple health problems. I was diagnosed with the start of scleroderma, because of my gastrointestinal symptoms, idiopathic angioedema, thickened skin, weird blood vessels (tiny red tree-like veins), family history of scle... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Considering your symptoms, scleroderma (an autoimmune disorder characterized by skin hardening) could be a possibility. To assess further, it's essential to determine the pattern of sclerosis, which typically starts from the hands and spreads to the main trunk. Additiona... Read Full »
Can UCTD and MCTD occur together?
Query: Hello doctor,I am currently struggling with a flare that is just not getting better. My symptoms started three years ago. At that time my ANA was high positive, lupus anticoagulant positive, but nothing else specific. My symptoms are joint pain, swelling, severe fatigue, severe hand swelling, severe... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I believe your diagnosis is Overlap syndrome, scleroderma with myositis overlap. Your symptoms do not fit into one connective tissue disease. It is probably overlap of two diseases going on. Lupus I will not be too sure, as you do not specify symptoms pertaining to i... Read Full »
What is the proper medicaion for severe RA symptoms?
Query: Hello doctor,My mother is 65 years old. She is RA positive for the last 25 years. Currently, she takes HCQs, Methotrexate, pain killer, and Rantac. At present, she has pain, nodules in her hand, and turned feet. Please suggest proper medication. Her LFT and KFT are normal. Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have gone through your query. But the report images could not reveal anything. (attachment removed to protect patient identity). I would like to ask you a few more queries before suggesting the medicine as any new DMARD (disease-modifying antirheumatic drug) started ha... Read Full »