So. I had a scare a little while back, which kind of relates to a topic that a lot of people ask me about: Drinking and RA.

Anyone on methotrexate, a common drug used to treat RA, should know that the drug is really hard on your liver. (If your doctor has not told you this, talk to her/him. If she/he doesn't know anything about its effects, find a new doctor because yours isn't good enough to treat someone as special as you.)

So, when I was first put on methotrexate, they had me on 15 mg. Then I started having problems with fatigue (meaning I was in need of even more than the usual 10 hours I currently have to get to function properly) and hair loss (I was shedding like a cat) and had to lower my dose. I am now on 7.5 mg — a fairly low dose — and there has been talk of reducing it soon. (Cross your fingers!).

Now the bad part. Because methotrexate is so hard on your liver you have to waaaayyyyy lower your alcohol consumption, which is nearly impossible when i was in college (well, not impossible, but no fun whatsoever). But I sucked it up and have tried to be as good as possible since then. Supposedly you should only have one alcoholic drink a month. I am fairly good about it. I promise. (And I recommend you try to stick to the one drink limit as well as you can, too!) I have been especially good more recently because of a liver scare.

I was having stomach-cramping-style pains and went in to see a doc a while back. So when the doc was examining me he discovered that my liver is tender (AHHHHH!!!!). But I got the blood work done, and it ended up coming out clean. (Thank goodness!!)

People taking methotrexate are suppose to have blood work done on a regular basis (every few months) to test their liver functions (there are several). If you aren't currently getting blood work done, get it. They need to make sure your liver is functioning properly and the methotrexate isn't killing your liver! Drinking alcohol can speed up the destruction.

If you are taking methotrexate and drink, there are a few things you'll want to do. One is drink TONS of water. Helps to protect the liver. Also, never take methotrexate on the day you are drinking, take it as far away from a drink as possible. I take mine on Wednesday night so that I don't have to worry about weekend drinks.

I also take lots of water the day before and after taking the drug. Water is the key!!! So protect your liver. Don't end up in the doc office freaking out about your tender liver like I did!