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Methotrexate Lung?

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Posted 8/14/2006 6:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hey all.  I posted this on the lupus forum as well because several lupians take mtx.

I started methotrexate about 6 weeks ago; for the past 3 weeks I've had a persistent, dry cough.  I'm sure I don't have a cold--no other symptoms, although I do have nasal allergies.  My husband convinced me to call my rheumy's office today.  I've been advised to stop mtx immediately and get a chest x-ray done today.  MTX can, evidently, cause all kinds of lung problems, including interstitial lung disease (a lovely disease that killed my mother).   And lung damage can occur at any time during tx, at any dose.  So even someone just starting at a relatively low dose (I only take 7.5mg/week) can sustain lung damage.  How common is it, though?  Have any of you mtx users ever encountered any kind of lung symptoms?  I'm really hoping that my doctor is making a deal about it to cover his butt, and not because I'm seriously at risk for something like this.  I've never had lung problems in my life, including getting common issues like bronchitis (to my knowledge, I've never ever had bronchitis).

Elcamino

Posted 8/14/2006 9:19 PM (GMT 0)
glad you phoned ur rhuemy~ good luck with the xray, i would guess if anything showed up on the xray you would then have a ctscan..... funny how i have all these unknown nodules and i am on mtx, but i had them before mtx from the RA. i hope it turns out alright for you i will keep you in my prayers.

i know you are concerned because of your mothers hx, and i do not know alot about it but is it reversible?

keep us posted, sry cuz you were doing so good! ~*yalinda
Posted 8/14/2006 10:44 PM (GMT 0)
Hey El... when is your x-ray? Please keep us posted!
Posted 8/14/2006 11:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hey guys. I'm going in tomorrow for the x-ray. The nurse faxed in the request to a radiology clinic that does not accept my insurance. By the time we figured this out, the doctor's office had closed for lunch until 1:30pm, and I couldn't get the x-ray done in an acceptable lab before my carpool leaves (3:30pm). I told nurse I would personally pick up the order and hand carry it to a lab tomorrow morning.

My chest is a little sore, tight like I have a bit of congestion. But it's not horrible. Cough is worse at night and in the morning. During the day I've had a steady diet of cough drops (yummy). I'll let you guys know, but nothing will probably show up on the x-ray. I've never had pneumonia, or anything remotely similar, but I would think I would hurt a bit more if that were the case.

And now time for a Hall's daquiri...

Elcamino
Posted 8/15/2006 2:28 AM (GMT 0)
I just had the chest x ray also cause of my cough it's at night mostly also my was ok but my allergy doctor and my rumy both said it's not the mtx doing it keep us posted iam really having trouble with fatigue also like really bad .Take care DEB
Posted 8/21/2006 1:53 AM (GMT 0)
Elcomino Hi,

I was on Methotrexate for over two years and I never had any lung problems at least not from methotrexate.I see you are taking the pill form and when I was on it I was on shot form because I refused to take it by pill form because it would make him sick.I would how ever like to say my Dad did have issues with his lung's due to Methotrexate and he had to come off of it.I was taken off of it because I have crohns and Methotrexate and 6mp don't mixs.
Posted 8/21/2006 3:56 AM (GMT 0)
i hope you feel better soon elcamino

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