Hi Everyone, we all know that MTX can cause lung problems, but I am confused because I am an asthmatic. Its summer here and my asthma is supposed to be a bit better, mind you, Ive been a little naughty about using my preventer, but not THAT bad. Ive only been treated for asthma for about 3 years and its been well under control, so dont know it so well, although my son had it severely from a baby to 15 years old.
Yes, thats right, I hit 40 and got cancer, asthma, psoriasis (small bit on scalp) and RA!!!
I saw my GP Monday for what I thought was a bit of an asthma attack, I was also being cautious because of the MTX lung thing, and now I wonder if there is more too it. I asked him about the MTX thing and he didnt seem worried, said the RA and treatment probably affecting the immune system and stuff, causing asthma, he didnt listen to my chest even just changed the medication to a new pump. He is such a darling, but a chatterbox and I dont think he was paying attention!
So Ive been struggling on at work but had to go to the ER last night as I could not stop coughing and was getting scared. (Its not at a hospital, its an after hours emergency service thing) There is some asthma going on but its not all I dont think, and the ER have put me on pred for 4 days with a caution to contact my RH if not better by Friday.
Today I feel a bit weird, not well, Im at work - have an important meeting this morning, its now thursday 18th in Auckland. My lungs hurt, its humid here but I felt clammy last night and was sweating at my hairline a lot, and feel a bit clammy now, and I feel breathless now, but it comes and goes, and my astma pumps are not working.
So for 5 days Ive had this now, going on 6. Its a cough, tight, dry, coming up from the bottom (it seems) of my lungs. I dont like it. My lungs are uncomfortable. Ive never felt this before.
Any thoughts please? Do I call my Rheumys office this morning? Due to take next dose of MTX tomorrow evening.
Love to all, Wendy
Definitely call the Rheumy. You could have a number of things going on and I would not take the MTX until you are sure what they are. Can you be evaluated by a Pulmonologist? If you Rheumy is kind, but distracted then redirect his attention.
Lung problems can be very serious with RA. Don't take chances. Please call.
I lost 30% of my left lung. Same symptoms. I was told that the loss was not totally caused by methotrexate but that the methotrexate pushed the problemed lung over the top. From the very beginning of my methotrexate regimine, all of my doctors said the very same thing, "if you get even a small cough or breathing problem, hurry to urgent care." I didn't listen back then, I waited about 10 days. Now I hurry. I learned that lesson.So, Wendy, what's happening with this? Are you ok?I understood that mtx can affect liver function - hence the blood test every 8 weeks, but it is RA than can affect the lungs and the kidneys?
Thanks all, umm, I am struggling, but it seems like its asthma. I called my RH and he called me back and said I had done the right thing and the prednisone was good. We tried to work out if it was asthma or what and I said to him, I was sure it was and not another lung problem. I just didnt realise asthma was so nasty and your lungs could hurt so much! This is my first real attack and I am at work, but still struggling with the wheeze and cough.
He advised me, but didnt push it, to get a chest xray but I am waiting till today to decide after a couple of days on the prednisone. Its all so expensive! Anyway he seems to give me credit (being a nurse) for having the wisdom to decide what to do according to how I feel, and its definitely asthma and I am feeling a bit better.
So thanks everyone, I do hope Im right, but if I have any worries I will get a chest xray. What do you guys think?
I would get a chest xray. Let the radiologist know you are on mtx for RA and having bad asthma symptoms - the worst ever. I think you can see the difference on an xray between RA lung and asthma.Ok here's my thoughts on Mtx. My mother's friend was taking it, developed a steady cough. It was a cough that prevented her from finishing most sentences. It wasn't a deep cough, just a sort of gasping cough. Now she was a cancer survivor, breast and colon. Then she started the mtx for RA. She ended up dying very suddenly, refusing any invasive treatments; she simply lost the ability to breath altogether and died - she gave up the fight. When she died, her family refused an autopsy (their thoughts were "She's dead, who cares why?)so it's not clear whether she had another bout of cancer (she was a former smoker for 50 years) or it was the mtx. That being said , my mother has been on the mtx for two years now with not ONE SINGLE side effect. None whatsoever. Same for my friend's mother. I guess what I'm saying is, get the chest xray, if anything just for a baseline reading. That way if you do develop more breathing problems years down the road they can look at your initial xray and compare to see if there are any changes.