Methotrexate: Low Neutrophil Count - What now

[broken_birds_fly]

I started taking MTX last week and after yesterday's blood test the doctor called me to say my neutrophil count has dropped quite a lot. He says he'll contact the Rheumatologist and they'll get in touch. He said they might take me off it or drop the dose (I'm on 7.5mg weekly).

The thing is, I've been on Cyclophosphamide for quite a long time and my last treatment was only 2-3 weeks ago. I then stopped that and moved over to Methotrexate.

Do you think the transition from Cyclo to MTX could be why the Neutrophils have dropped, suddenly?

[tinmuning]

As with most other DMARD (disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs) agents, there is a risk of bone-marrow depletion with methotrexate.A low neutrophil count is of most concern and can present with high fever and sore throat. So it's not actually the transition from one drug to another but it's likely that the methotrexate's responsible for your low neutrophil count.