Hi,I am Dr. Amitkumar Sharma (Internal Medicine Specialist). I will be looking into your question and guiding you through the process. Please write your question below.
What Are The Long-term Implications Of Taking Methotrexate?
I have rhuematoid arthritis. I take methotexate and have blood work every two months. The rhuematologist office called today (appologetically since they overlooked calling me since the bloodwork was done a month ago to tell em my numbers were fine except thatmy lymphocite numbers were as follows: my absolute lymphocites were 5.12 and my lymphocite total was 47. She also said is ssaid it was reactive. She was more worried about appologizing about the oversight and really didn t answe my questions very well. What is reactive . She said sinec my blood work is only a month away we will just wait until those results come back. How elevated are these numbers? I don t remember being sick, although I believe I was having some pain in my knee and wrists. Can other meds interact and cause lymphocite changes? I also take embrel, folic acid, lexapro anduse Fluticason Propionate nasal spray. I also take 50mg tramadol once a day if needed. My RA is pretty controlled but I am getting a little nervous about taking the methotrexate. Thanks you forr your help
Reactive lymphocytosis is the presence of reactive lymphocytes in the blood. Reactive lymphocytes are special lymphocytes with prominent nuclear membrane and prominent nucleoli, these are bigger in size than normal lymphocytes.
If reactive lymphocytes are present in blood in enough quantity, then the patients should be thoroughly investigated for finding the cause like presence of some infections, inflammations or auto-immune disease. In your case, it does not seem to be any side effect of methotrexate, but it seems due to RA disease process itself, as RA itself is auto-immune disease and it may definitely cause Reactive lymphocytosis.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards, Dr. Satnarain Bansal, General & Family Physician
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What Are The Long-term Implications Of Taking Methotrexate?
Hi, Reactive lymphocytosis is the presence of reactive lymphocytes in the blood. Reactive lymphocytes are special lymphocytes with prominent nuclear membrane and prominent nucleoli, these are bigger in size than normal lymphocytes. If reactive lymphocytes are present in blood in enough quantity, then the patients should be thoroughly investigated for finding the cause like presence of some infections, inflammations or auto-immune disease. In your case, it does not seem to be any side effect of methotrexate, but it seems due to RA disease process itself, as RA itself is auto-immune disease and it may definitely cause Reactive lymphocytosis. Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Satnarain Bansal, General & Family Physician