DMARDS & infection | Arthritis Information

I was on 10 mg of MTX for 4 weeks.

Just started on 5th week; took 15mg on Sunday night.

Even before that, on Saturday, I could tell that my lymph nodes in my neck are swollen.

Not comically, but obviously, to me. Both sides, soft swelling.

There is all sorts of awful pollen going around, but allergies wouldn't cause swelling, would they? I also have tenderness where nodes are on thighs.

Anyway, I have an appointment with a nurse practitioner tomorrow (couldn't get in with the doctor).

I don't have a fever, that I know of, but I rarely get fevers.

I've had a bit of a cough, but not too much, have been tired and a bit dizzy. That could be an infection, or MTX, right?

If the NP leaves it up to me whether I need antibiotics, what do you guys think? I have been super tired lately but I'm also anemic and it could be the MTX. No blood work scheduled til the end of next week.

Thanks!

I didn't see a doctor for probable 10 years for infection type problems (RD's constantly!) until I actually started on Humira and I originally set up that appointment just to get back in with a good GP if infection did develope.

While on Humira & MTX my doctor is quick to give me an antibiotic just to ward off an infection because the few I've had got pretty bad and were VERY hard to get rid of.

I'd go with the advice of the NP. She'll know if you are likely developing an infection or if it's allergies. It's allergy season and I know lots of folks that have suffered this season with stuff that seems like an infection but it's really only allergies.

Hope you feel better soon.

Thanks. I have a history of getting strep without knowing it. Also, when I got mono, I stayed sick (and my glands swollen) for a really long time. I just hate to derail the process when it's only just begun. Hopefully she's a fairly well informed NP. I really like NP's generally, although I had one that removed a mole from my scalp that I am not happy with. Long story...YICKS!

Have you had many infections since being on MTX? Does your doctor take you off the meds when you are on an antibiotic for infection? Some do, some don't. We've learned the hard way with me that I heal much quicker if I stop the meds while I recover from an infection.

Some doctors insist on it.....other's don't.

Well, I had a fever of 100.1 when I went in, which totally surprised me, because I didn't feel that feverish. I don't seem to have a sinus infection, according to the NP, and my ears look fine, chest normal, etc. It's allergy season and everyone is suffering so it may just be allergies, but that doesn't explain the fever. I don't understand these things.

Anyway, she gave me a Z pack, and I have to skip my next dose of MTX (which hasn't done anything yet, so it's frustrating to get farther behind). Oh well, hopefully the Z Pack will have me feeling better!

Plus I took a sick day from work, and I'm going to get my hair cut, which I usually don't have time for, so that should be nice...

My daughter has had very simular symptoms and so does a girl I work with. I guess she's right about it just being the season.

Get well soon!

hi kattie i was on mtx and pred i had 8mths of chest infections mtx was not stopped
while i was on antibiotics and then antibactrials.. while on these meds it is advised
to see a gp even if you only suspect a infection.. the use of pred will hide a infection
and a person may not realise anything untill the infection is raging.. i hope they sort
you out..
Boney

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