illnesses while on methotrexate | Arthritis Information

 

hello everyone, I'm new to this forum and would like to ask a question. I am on 15mgs of methotrexate ( by injection each week) at the moment probably raising it up to 20 mgs next month at my clinic appointment, what I would like to ask is what happens when you get a cold or the flu while taking the methotrexate and how poorly can a cold or flu leave you, my daughter is just getting over a bad cold and I am really worried because I can feel the onset of something coming on and I'm home alone at the moment because my partners in Australia attending a family funeral. Can anyone help with my query?Hey there-I'm interested in the replies to this thread.  I have now been on MTX for one year, and haven't had to deal with any illness.  I have gleaned over the year that it depends on your RD.  Interested in what the members have to say.  Lain the 16-17 years I've been taking mtx, I've never stopped my mtx when I've had a cold.  My colds seems the same while on mtx as they did before I ever started taking mtx

my RD said do not stop MTX for Anything!!  He was adamant about that.. stop biologic for an infection... but never stop MTX.....

Common cold, my rheumie said don't stop MTX.  I have a sinus infection, am on antibiotics and have to stop MTX and Enbrel.  Had dental surgery, had to stop both of those meds then also.

My RD said to stop anytime I had a respiratory infection that required antibiotics.  So, I wouldn't have to stop for a viral cold.  I never got sick the short time I was on it, so I don't know who how it would affect the duration or severity of the illness.[QUOTE=Debrakay]

Common cold, my rheumie said don't stop MTX.  I have a sinus infection, am on antibiotics and have to stop MTX and Enbrel.  Had dental surgery, had to stop both of those meds then also.

[/QUOTE] Kweenb-MTX interferes with healing as well.  According to my RD the newest recommendation is to halt MTX therapy even for arthoscopic surgery.  Lawow.. so how do we know who is right here?? Thanks everyone for the feedback, I wasn't asking if I had to stop the mtx just if the symptoms of a cold or the flu are worse because our immune system is affectedWhen I had lung surgery (no infection anywhere) I had to stop MTX and Enbrel until the wound healed.  I was told stop with infection also. I was told to go off of my mtx a week before my surgery (although I may not be having the surgery afterall) that's coming up and then go back on the mtx after evrything heals.Meai...I've never noticed colds to be any different while taking mtx than they've been in the past when I wasn't taking mtx.I've had flu like symptoms since Mid November.

It comes on for a few days then backs off.
Each time it comes on a little stronger than the last.
This can all happen in a week.

At the moment it has me by the short and curly's with no sign of backing off.
To top that, I ended up with an ear infection for which antibiotics were prescribed.
The ear infection has eased but not completely (after four days of antibiotics).

Seeing that I cannot shake this thing I have been wondering about how our drugs might be fighting against the bodies natural ability to heal from this.
Ok--I break every rule there is--I just had some dental work done.  I developed an abcess so the dentist said I needed a root canal done (on a tooth that had been crowned twice + root lengthening inbetween.  I went to the specialist who removed the crown (%%^^&&&*--that is me swearing).  In doing the root canal (I had an infection - remember the abcess) could not complete the root canal because he found a verticle fracture in the tooth.  So he puts a patch on the tooth he just opened up and said he had done all he could.  The tooth needed to be removed and I needed an implant or bridge.  I kept telling them all I was taking Mthx and Humira.  No one said to stop anything.  I didn't.  No one is giving me antibotics at this point.  Went to another specialist--who started me on penicillian and removed the tooth, and did a bone graft so I can have the implant.  I did a week of antibotics and am doing fine.  They check it every 2 weeks.  It has been healing very fast.  Right after I completed the antibotic--I got a reaction to the penicillian--I broke out into a itchy rash and itched like crazy!  I did fine.  Haven't even talked with the RA dr.  Not going to mention it to him.  Don't know what to tell you.  I just started mtx, so I can't help you with that. I did want to mention that I haven't been sick at all since being on plaq. Its weird because I always caught whatever the kids brought home...twice as bad for twice as long. We've had 3 house-wide viruses and I've avoided them all. I mentioned it to the RD and he said that happens to many people with RA. The drugs help our immune systems to become more "organized" and stop over reacting to every little thing. At least something about me is calm and organized..

I know that didn't answer your question, but I thought it was interesting.I was told to discontinue therapy with methotrexate if I had any infections or prior to any surgical procedures.  I also stop it when I have a cold as I have bad sinuses to begin with and usually end up with a sinus infection stemming from a cold.  BobI can't take mtx but I take enbrel and I was told to go off if there is an open wound, fever, cold, or infection. I had a tooth pulled and had to go off until the tooth cavity was healed and also when I had a cyst removed. It does make it take longer to heal. My dr said my cyst would heal in 6 to 8 wks and it took 12.A matter of days after starting MTX I got a massive cold. I've always swaggered around bragging because I never get sick. I thought probably the immune system suppression let the cold bug in, though it seemed indecently quick to occur. Called the doc and said I have a cough, he had said if I started coughing on MTX let him know. But I had no fever, and he said it was fine, that if I didn't have a cold but had a cough, that would be time to worry (because of the rare lung problem that can occur with MTX). I got through the cold in ten days, while those lesser beings around me all took at least two weeks. So I still think I'm tough.I've been on MXT for about 4 years and to date I've had 1 cold, 2 sinus inf., and that's it.  My doc wants to see me if I have a cold because I have pulmonary complications due to RA and I'm watched pretty carefully while on MXT.  We travel extensively, Canada, U.S., Mex., Central and S. America and I haven't been sick.  I take hygenic precautions seriously especially when traveling and if someone coughs I'm out of the room.  Because of travel I have to be aware of TB.  Maybe I've been lucky but I haven't been sick yet.  [QUOTE=Bluehour]A matter of days after starting MTX I got a massive cold. I've always swaggered around bragging because I never get sick. I thought probably the immune system suppression let the cold bug in, though it seemed indecently quick to occur. Called the doc and said I have a cough, he had said if I started coughing on MTX let him know. But I had no fever, and he said it was fine, that if I didn't have a cold but had a cough, that would be time to worry (because of the rare lung problem that can occur with MTX). I got through the cold in ten days, while those lesser beings around me all took at least two weeks. So I still think I'm tough.[/QUOTE]Interesting you mention about the cough, I had been  coughing no stop for 5 days although it has ceased to be a problem for the time being.
thanks to everyone who replied, It seems my cold didn't materialise, I just have a raging sore throat now so I am to go get my blood tested today and the doctor is going to put me on a course  of antibiotics as he thinks its an infectionGood Evening!   I am new to this forum and enjoying reading and learning that I am not the only one with certain questions and problems.   I have a question which just came up to me within the last two weeks while on prednisone and z-pack for strep and bronchitis.   I too take MTX and with very satisfactory results, yet have noticed that my temperature that usually runs 97.5 (for over 50 years) and it has been running 99.5 +/-for the last 6-12 months.  I assumed this elevation in my temp was a result of the RA.   When I was on the prednisone and z-pack for six days, my body temp returned to my regular 97.5.    Once my strep and bronchitis was cleared, I felt wonderful .... so much better than I had felt in a long long time.   Now that the antibiotic and steroids are out of my body, my temp is back up to 99.5 - 99.8!   

Is an elevated temp normal?   I have put a call in for my RD but have not heard back yet.   I was wondering if anyone has heard of a maintenance antibiotic to keep the temp down.    Any ideas?



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