Mtx and sinus infection.

This is the first time I have been sick since starting MTX.  I have a sinus infection and have to teach a class tomorrow which means I can't cancel or sneak out for a doctor's appointment which means i can't be seen at least until monday-probably not until next friday.

My question is can I still take my MTX-my rhuemy is not in her office on fridays-and no I would probalby not call and ask her even if she were in she always yells at me when I put off seeing my PCP.

Anyway I though that someone here would have had sinus infections while on mtx-just want to know if I should still take it tomorrow.

Thank you.

Sj

I take it once a week-Friday. I don't really want to miss a dose since it helps my arthritis so much.

Dear Sj

It has been some time since i was on Mtx

I only remember having to go off it for surgery, 2 wks. prior to the hospital visit

because it takes 2 wks. for Mtx to leave your body!

I don't recall having to go off it for antibotics though.

Hey do you know the really cool way to treat sinus???

Have you ever done a nose wash???

                  Nose wash method

take 1 small teaspoon of salt and dissolve it in  a teacup of warm water

Make sure that this is not too hot or too salty by putting it lips in it.

the salty taste should be mild

Over the laundry sink( cause it is messy) "drink" the water through your nose!!!!

you may cough and splutter cause you don't know where it is going...... ...

some comes out your mouth , the rest you blow out your nose.

Repeat this process until the whole cup of salty water is used.

As you get more experienced,

do it when one nostril is blocked with your finger

This is a fantastic way of keeping those colds away

I do it each morning and night-- just like cleaning my teeth

When i have some mucus in the nose, i can do it every hour if i needed

 

This really does work magic, is easy, costs nothing and the whole family can do it too to stay healthy

Give it a go!!!!

Because your problem is advanced, your nose is most probably blocked

So try every 10 minutes, maybe it will take several times to get it unblocked!!!

All the best

Debbie

I don't believe you have to stop taking mtx for an illness.  It is not the same thing as the biologics, which you do have to stop taking if you have a virus or infection of any type, especially with a fever.  I take both enbrel and mtx; in the past, when I've been treated for infections, I am always instructed to stop the enbrel, but continue with the mtx, even through tb treatment. 

El

Hi, sj and everyone

Recently I read a post where a fellow rheumy sufferer was told  

going onto MTX with her Biological drug (I think it was Enbrel) gave her protection from infections

What do you think???

Also, I am finding that i am on the verge of infections more readily

since my Biological INFUSION ( MabThera ) 6mths. ago.

Because it is an infusion every 6mths/year, I can't stop the effects of the drug when I am with fever etc.

And i pull through quicker if i rest and don't eat rubbish

  

Hi Sj

So sorry you are getting sick, it's a fine line we tread with our immune system dealing with sickness. I still think the nose wash ( recipe above ) is magic for keeping sinus and throat problems developing into bronchial and lung problems.

I saw you on another post scared of MX.

I felt that way to begin with as the rheumy made such a big deal over it. But when it kicked in with the benefits I found there aren't that many side effects and hey, you are feeling heaps better, so it is a balance. But an infection is no walk in the park.

Tell me. what were you on before MX when you didn't get so sick? MTX like all the drugs for Rheumatoid, increase the risk to infection

Maybe this infection reaction is only temporary. In any case let your rheumy know the trouble you are having so he can assess what he is going to do, ie., if anything needs to be done. He may try something else other than MX, there are many treatments out there if they don't agree with you, i have tried quite a few.


Hope you're feel better soon and this upset goes away.

Debbie

Momto3-I am definetly going to use the sinus-saline rinse.
Debbie-before going on mtx I was in semi-remission and only on an NSAID so this is my first exerience with serious immune suppresents. I was terrified of starting mtx but have been on it now since April and the relief I get from it is immence so I am not interested in going off of it just in learning to live with this new problem.
I see my Rhuemy in three weeks and she is awesome so I am sure she will have some advise for me.
Sj

I see I started this post on 8/14-it is now 9/28 I have been on three different cources of antibiotics-I have been ordered to stop the mtx until I am symptom free for at least 72 hours-then the orders got changed to until my rhuemy has cleared me to take it. I still have an infection (according to my pcp who I saw today).
And, now have not had mtx for two weeks so I look like I have a claw instead of a hand and my knee bugs me.
I want my mtx back-and I want to stop feeling sick. I am just whining tonight.
Sj

Momto3-my sinus infections have always been related to my immune system being completely wacky. When I first developed RA I had one on and off for four months. This is the first time I had one that did not go away while on antibiotics.
I have been to an ENT but not for years.
I am not sure its related to the mtx as I am also on Singulair, flonase and plaq all of which suppress the immune system. Singulair lists increased risk of sinus infections as a side effect as well.
My Rhuemy is taking this seriously though and concured with the other doc that I can't take mtx until the infection is gone and they can get some blood work that shows I actually have functioning white cells.
I feel better today though and this last doc I saw was great-I am going to ask to switch doctors within the practice and keep her.
Mostly my last post was whining because my joints aren't liking this med holiday or the infection.
Sj