Hi Guys!
Sorry I haven't been around. Been in a bit of a funk and not feeling well. Today is the big one though and I'm just a LITTLE freaked out. I'm probably just being paranoid but I figured it doesn't hurt to get some feedback. My chest started hurting a little bit yesterday and this morning I woke up with what feels like a horrible chest cold and sore throat. Of course this has to happen on a Saturday when the Rheumy's office is closed. Normally I wouldn't think anything of it and I'd pop a couple of Nyquil and off to bed I'd go. However, ummmm...I'm on Methotrexate and a smoker so now I'm freaked. We all know that MTX weakens the immune system and can cause problems in the lungs. I've never had pneumonia but I have read that MTX makes us more susceptible. So here I am, thinking...should I go to the ER, should I wait until Monday and call the Rheumy, should I take Nyquil, and OMG...is this going to be what kills me??? I know I sound really silly, probably over reacting and completely paranoid but this is totally freaking me out.
Peace & Love...Neasy
First deep breath...ohhh that might hurt a lot. Calm breaths.Are you running a fever? If so, then i would consider visiting a doctor. Unfortunetly the symptoms of pneunonia and bronchitis are very similar. In normally takes an X-ray to figure out which it might be.
Symphoms of bacterial pneumonia are, fever, "teeth chattering" chills, rapid shallow breathing and feeling short of breath. Slight delirium is also possible. Hopefully its nothing more than a mild chest infection or at worst bronchitis. Viral pneunonia is often not even noticed by the person who is ill.
Keep an eye on yourself, and if you start to worsen, visit a doctor. Sometimes anti-biotics will clear it right up. Hope you feel better soon.
I know I'm freaking out. I have no idea what drugs I'm taking or what you can or can't take with them. The only thing I know for sure is MTX and Celebrex. The others are Plaquenil or placebo, Sulfasalazine or placebo, Enbrel or placebo. This study is making me crazy.
Peace & Love...Neasy Neasy I just got over a whopper of a cold... its going around again.. that final clinging on to winter cold... UG! i too am on MTX, enbrel, plaquenil and a few others... my chest hurt a bit, sore throat, and a great cough! lasted about a week, but got better everyday. I took dayquil, aleve and tylenol pm. My RD told me Aleve is an ok drug to take no matter what (i was originally on naproxen years ago) just dont overdose. Like everyone else said.. unless you are feverish, just take a nice long hot shower, take some OTC drugs and take a nice long nap!!! Oh and keep up your strength by eating well... hope this helps!
I hope you're feeling better Neasy!! Lots of Love and hugs, Pam Neasy, Honey I'm just catching up from the weekend...Sure do hope today finds you feeling better verses worse. Hope to get an update on your condition today...I worry about you on this study; you know that. Surely they have a 24 hour number or something you can call in case of an emergency? What happends if you do have to go to the hospital and you can't clearly report what medications you are on? Oh this thing makes me nervous!! Hope you feel better soon Sweeite. Lovie Neasy, How are you feeling now? I hope better I had a cold a month or so ago and my PCP said Nyquil was ok to take with MTX.
First of all HIGGY, it's emphysema!! You can wonder all you want. Quite frankly it's none of your business. I feel bad enough about having this nasty habit and then I log on to read your judgemental and holier than thou post. If quitting were that easy, I would have quit 20 years ago. Unfortunately, it's not that easy for some of us. At this point, quitting smoking is the least of my concerns as I have many other issues to deal with and will deal with each one as I am able to. As for feeling like a new person....I believe that will happen when I get my RA under control. I didn't post here asking anyone here how to quit smoking nor did I state that I was afraid of dying from smoking. What I posted was the fact that I had a chest cold and I was a little freaked out because of the MTX, the lung issues it can cause, the suppressed immune system and my being a smoker. Thank you for the Surgeon General's warning that I read on each pack of cigarettes I smoke. As for everyone else...Thank you for your posts. Although I still feel like poop, I am feeling a bit better. The sore throat is gone and now it's in my head and chest. I'm going to call my Rheumy tomorrow just to touch base and ask if I can take Mucinex. I hear Mucinex is great stuff so hopefully I can. I have my 6 week study appointment on the 23rd and will be asking lots of questions. So far, the study drugs have made me feel worse with headaches, more flares, more aches and pains, blurry vision etc... so I have decided that I will continue the study until the 12 week appointment and if there is no improvement I will have to opt out. After all, my goal is to feel better not worse.
Peace & Love...Neasy Hi Neasy, Sounds like a good idea, I would'nt continue either if you're still feeling so badly. I've been wondering how you're feeling, I'm glad you'll be talking to the RD tomorrow that post about the Pneumonia worried me. Pssssst Neasy (Higgy Higgy bo biggy bananna wanna fo figgy........) Sorry could'nt resist
Feel better, Peace and Love to you too!!
I agree that it is not good for me. I know this...and yes, Neasy knows this. Our lungs are at risk likey more so than those who do not smoke...and it is this knowledge that will continue to keep me trying. I will however remind you that lung disease and complications can happen to anyone...it is not solely the smokers at risk. I'm not defending smoking; but I won't let my friend take a beating here when there are many more smokers right here on this board. Lovie GIRLS, ME TOO......SMOKER
ONe OTHER THING: MY DR ALSO SAYS PREDNISONE MASKS INFECTION. WHEN I CAME UP WITH MRSA STAFF ON MTX, HE SAID IF I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ON PREDNISONE I WOULD HAVE KNOW HOW SICK I WAS BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE HAD A RAGING FEVER!! TREAT ANY INFECTION AS SERIOUS AND CONTACT YOUR RHEUMY! Sorry you are feeling so bad neasy. I hope you get better. I have one for Higgy.... What do you do with a person that is 52 years old, set in their ways, severely over-weight, a smoker & an alcoholic, that has arthritis (not RA), but thinks none of the meds help, and the reason none of the meds help is becausing of the alcohol abuse? Higgy why don't you get off my smoking!! Actually, I'd prefer you just stay out of my posts as you have grated on my last nerve. I come to this board for information, to support people and to be supported. Personally, all I've seen in your 3 little posts is "the know it all, holier than thou attitude". I didn't post asking for smoking support and this isn't a stop smoking board so I don't need someone breathing down my neck regarding "MY SMOKING". Give it a freaking rest already!! I'm not 10 years old, not illiterate and I'm not mentally retarded. So "I KNOW" what smoking can do and "I KNOW" what smoking with certain RA drugs can do. You quit smoking "HOORAY for YOU"!! I'll keep "puffing away" as you put it until I'm damned well ready to quit. Call it excuses, call it whatever you like...the bottom line is, It's my business so for the love of God zip it!! Perhaps you should find something constructive to do...SHEESH!
Hon I am so sorry you are not doing well.
meme I'm a smoker too.
Neasy, I'm so sorry to hear that you're feeling so miserable. I really do hope you'll be feeling better soon. You're in my thoughts and prayers. Cris
ok...went to medscape. i plugged in all of the meds you might be
on and the ones you know you are one ....including nyquil. no
interaction because of nyquil.
so i hope this helps. if you're not feverish, i'd not worry too much. except about feeling better.
hugs, wayney
I just found this forum and it has been rather helpful. I'm nervous and just getting my feet wet with this disease.
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