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Has anyone kept getting colds and flus on methotrexate?

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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Posted 12/10/2009 2:51 PM (GMT 0)
I started methotrexate about a month ago and Im not in the middle of my second cold since. The first time I ended up with a chest infection and now I feel really sick in my stomach and my head is killing me (I take methotrexate on a fri so i doubt it is that since my last dose was 6  days ago).Has anyone else experienced this type of thing while on methotrexate. Its making me feel really miserable and just want to cry most of the time because I never feel normal anymore. Id almost rather the pain in my joints than feel this way- like my head is full of fog or something and like im going to be sick. Im crying at the moment because I just feel like im fighting a loosing battle with my body.
Posted 12/10/2009 10:02 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Lynny,

Yes, I always feel fluey and have been like this since starting MTX 3 years ago. I have sinus problems and headaches from it. Recently I have started taking an antihistamine which does help - but I cant take them everday. someone told me to drink lots of fluids and that helps with the headache.

I hate how the meds we take can be worse than the disease itself.

I would ask your Rheumy to maybe drop your dosage to a more comfortable level - if not a whole new med that may not give you such bad side-effects.

You may be lucky and this will go away after a few months too - maybe give it a couple of months to see if it settles for you.

I am sorry you are suffering so much.

Keep us posted as to how you are going.

Jo

Posted 12/11/2009 3:23 AM (GMT 0)
I have seen a noticeable increase in both the number of headaches I get as well as their intensity since I started MTX. I am no stranger to headaches in general, but I'd say I have a headache 80% of the time since October and I've had one killer migraine. I haven't had any colds, but I certainly get very achy, especially the day after taking my weekly dose.

When I saw my rheumy last month, she said to give it another month. I see her again on Monday and suspect I will be switching to a new treatment, especially since I have seen no improvement in my joint issues.
Posted 12/12/2009 10:51 PM (GMT 0)
Mtx seems to be such a toxic med. It affects all of us differently but I found it very hard on my chest initially. I eded up going off it for a while then re starting on a low dose and slowly working my way back up to the full dose. That seemed to do the trick and now I tolerate it ok.

I found my chest felt "heavy" when I started. Like someone was leaning on it. Thats my memory anyway. Now I'm fine.

Best wishes, talk to your rheumy about alternatives, golitho
Posted 2/17/2010 3:34 PM (GMT 0)
I am not currently on Methotrexate anymore but I took it for almost 7 years (I started injections when I was about 11 years old). Yes, I felt very sick and lost some hair. I did get alot of strep-type infections, etc. Then my doctor told me that in addition to my daily multivitamin, I needed to incorporate daily 1000mg of vitamin C (I just did the tablets). I must say it worked, now I only get sick occasionally. I am still on Humira and have been for the last 5 years, and had the same issues with getting sick alot, but the 1000mg of vitamin C really helped. Good luck!
Posted 2/17/2010 4:41 PM (GMT 0)
When I first started out on the MTX, I was always getting strange things, such as eye infections, etc, however now I will get a bug, but it is always just enough to make me feel crummy(sleepy) and my joints to flare up, never a full blown virus.  My husband has strep throat, and I my kiddo's have all been sick several times this winter and I"ve never caught any of their bugs or the strep! Which they all find shocking!
Posted 2/19/2010 6:51 PM (GMT 0)
Are you taking any type of folic acid with it?? Also take some vitamin c or a multivitamin or singulair.  I found that this helps the getting a cold feeling. The folic acid helps with other side effects.
Posted 2/26/2010 2:37 AM (GMT 0)
Since starting MTX I get every germ that goes around-which means I am constantly fighting off something.  MTX is an immune suppressent-it makes us more suseptable to bacteria and viruses.  To me the joint pain releif and the absence of random fevers and random itis is worth it.
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