Hi everyone,
Quick question...I've been feeling kind of crappy the past few days...sore throat, and today a headache and a general feeling of crap. I took my temperature and I have a fever, but am supposed to be taking my methotrexate on Thursday night (20 mg by injection). Should I take it or is it a bad idea because it's a immunosuppressant, and that could extend my sickness? I heard not to take it when you're sick but I don't know if that means like pneumonia sick or flu/fever sick. Thanks for the advice!
Brit
I take MTX & Humira. I wasn't every really sick to the point where I had to come off MTX; but now that I'm on Humira I do. I currently have bronchitis and getting over a sinus infection.
It started more than a month ago. I had a cough that went on for probable two weeks so like you worried about taking my meds I went to the GP. She said she's give me an antibiotic to clear things up. My RD told me not to take MTX or HUmira at that time until I've taken all of my antibiotic and all signs of infections were gone. WELL; me not being one to stay down long decided to resume my meds although I still had a slight cough. I was going to Mexico after all on the very first vacation with my husband and two children, and two step children. I needed my strenghth you know. (And thank god...I did so much walking!!)
The week following my vacation I took my medicine again; feeling exhasted and a little sick but thought it was just from the trip. ANYWAY...the next week I was back at the GP's office with Bronchitis this time. She tells me she feels certain I restarted my meds too soon and it's just gotten worse rather than better.
Two weeks after that (TODAY) I'm back in the GP's office getting a CHEST XRAY for pneumonia. Good news is it's still just bronchitis and I'm just taking a long time to get over it.
So; to make a long story short: No...go to the GP before you take it this week. It might be worth your wild to wait.
Feel Better and treat yourself special. Every little thing is actually something with this crap. Take it seriously.
Lovie
RD always told me that if you are sick do not take your mtx. It can cause the infection, sickness etc to get worse. meme
ps I havve had several infections and bouts of sickness and had to go off it. that included my enbrel too.
Not to be devil's advocate... but when i had bronchitis my GP, knowing what meds i was on, did not tell me to stop them. I took my antibiotics on top of everything and i was fine... mind you i did not make the decision!!!!!!!!
go to the DR!
WOW...I'd said the same thing in the past as well with Bladder infections but my RD said it was fine then too. With the problems in the chest he said absolutly NOT.
My GP wasn't sure....you might better follow up with your RD. Sadly these GP's aren't very fimiluar with these medicatiins. She told me honestly I'd better ask my RD.
But we all know their all different. Mine OK's the wine; and most of yours say no to that.
WHo knows??
In the 10 years I've taken MTX, I've never gone off the MTX due to a cold..flu...sore throat...etc.
But maybe you should call your doctor and tell him/her your symptoms and see what he/she says if you're worried about it.
Hope you feel better soon.
Kelly
Ditto, I've never gone off of MTX for anything...cold, flu, sinusitis. My RD or my Internal Med doc never told me to go off it and they know what I take too. I thought if you went off of it it takes awhile to start working for you again? Now with Humira, I was warned that I can't take it if I'm sick, so I will go off that if needed. I CAN ANSWER THIS FROM EXPERIENCE AS I WAS ON MTX FOR QUITE A WHILE. YOU DO NOT TAKE MTX IF YOU ARE ILL. MD'S DON'T KNOW DIDDLEY ABOUT RA MEDS....DON'T ASK THEM. YOUR RHEUMY SHOULD HAVE TOLD YOU THIS WHEN YOU STARTED PLUS IT'S ON THE MED INSERT WITH THE MEDICATION. MTX IS A POWERFUL IMMUNE SUPPRESANT AND YOU WILL NOT HEAL AND POSSIBLY GET MUCH WORSE. I CAN VERIFY AS BRONCHITIS WENT INTO PNEUMONIA ON ME, ALSO HAD POSSIBLE SPIDER BITE BECOME MRSA STAPH INFECTION. I WOULD NOTIFY YOU RHEUMY....SHE WILL HAVE YOU COME OFF, THEN SEE MD FOR MEDS. WHEN TOTAL INFECTION HAS CLEARED, YOU RESUME AT THAT TIME. BEWARE, SOMETIMES COMING OFF WILL GIVE YOU A FLARE THEN BACK TO PREDNISONE AS A STOP GAP.Karen's so right. My MD didn't know and was wise enough to tell me to double check with my RD to be certain. RD was very clear.
It's worth a call. And yes....once you come off you will go into what's considered a flair, but it takes a little while. You know how long it takes for this stuff to build up in your system...you have it in your system so it takes time for it to wear off as well.
The problems it can cause are not worth it. Trust me. I've dealt with this for more than a month now...and I am still dealing with it!!
Certain infections might not call for stopping your meds; but when your talking about your lungs MTX can be very dangerous...and most of these MD's are just not aware of what can happen.
Thanks for the advice. The thing is...it's just a fever, and not a bacterial infection or anything. It's just the aches and pains all over, little bit of sore throat and a fever. Is it the same thing-should I still come off, or do you only come off for a bacterial infection? I guess I could contact someone at the doctor's office but my rheumatologist is out of town.
Brit
Brit, your MD's not going to know as much about it. I'd call your RD and check with someone there. His nurse or another one in that practice should be able to give you the answers your looking for.
I don't want to hit the panic button because of our horror stories here...it might not be the same thing. I rarely if ever run a fever even when I'm really sick; so I'm not sure.
Like I said; after all these years this is the first experience I've had with that I had to discontinue my meds.
Good Luck; Hope you're feeling better soon.
RD told me that regardless if it is the flu or an infection DON'T TAKE THE MTX. He said it will just make things worse. He chewed my butt off one time, he could see I was not feeling well and asked if I had skipped my dose of mtx because I was sick, I told him I took my dose and boy did I get it.
Check with your rd to see what he or she wants you to do. meme
CHECK WITH RHEUMY TO BE SURE. BLOOD WORK SHOWING WHERE WHITE SELL COUNT IS CAN HELP AS WELL. LET US KNOW WHAT HAPPENS!! Personally I'd skip the MTX because last time I had a sore throat and a chest cold I took mine and I ended up in the hospital with pneumonia but call your Rheumy hon. Hope you feel better soon. Peace & Love...Neasy Britenny this sure sounds like a question for your rheumatoid doctor. Getting advice from us is great, but personally I think you should talk with your RD right away. Nobody is ever treated the same. I hope you feel better soon.
Thanks, Mailady Tara; My doctor took me off of MTX & Humira with this most recent Sinus infection....along with bronchitis. I guess we should all trust our doctors to know us best. Seems like we've all gotten slightly conflicting stories. It's good for us all to compare stories and understand how other doctors feel...but like Franny said; it's probable just a question for your particular doctor. I will say that I honestly believe that had I not been on my meds during this illness I would not have stayed sick as long as I have. Also; Mailady~I'm only 34 but I've already been through menopause. I've had hot flashes here and there and I'm also on HRT. I'm not sure if it has anything to do with MTX or not. I know that doesn't help at all...but thought I'd through that in.
Hi-I have been having questions about taking mtx
when sick too. I've had a bad sinus infection for
almost 3 weeks. Finally got antibiotics last week. I
called my RD today to see if it was ok to take the mtx
tomorrow and he said it should not be a problem-
that he rarely tells people to stop taking it unless they
get really, really sick.
I'm still a little hesitant though. I guess I'll give it a try
& see how it goes. I've mentioned a couple of thing
to my RD-like fatigue, dry eyes, etc. and he always
just focuses on treating the overalll disease, which
is OK, but sometimes I guess I need more info
about whether the things I bring up are related to RA
or not. (dry eyes have been KILLNG me lately)
Anyway, going to take the mtx tomorrow and hope all
goes well.
My Dr always told me to stop the MX when I was sick
Great information guys. Thanks!! My RD called
me today and actually spent about 15 minutes on the
phone with me! Seemed very compassionate. He
said to keep taking the mtx, but we would have to
see how things go before doing another remicade
treatment. He put me on a strong antibiotic and
steriod nasel spray. He is also going to have me get
a sinus cat scan on Monday and has referred me to
an ENT doc.
I'm glad I talked with him. I feel better knowing that
he is agressively treating the sinus infrction (my gp
is not very good; he just throws out perscriptions and
then rushes out of the office...need a new one).
Went ahead and took my mtx tonight and so will see
how it goes!!
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