Methotrexate and bugs/viruses/colds

missishy
missishy Member Posts: 13
edited 21. Feb 2010, 03:05 in Living with Arthritis archive
Does anyone else find that they have constantly got some sort of cold or feel under the weather since winter started?

Not only have a got a rubbish sick record for RA related days off now I am taking time off with various viruses due to rubbish immune system. I am worried that

1) reflects really bad on me at work
2) I am one of those annoying people that always has a bug and people think I am a hypochondriac :roll:
3) I am going out of mind with boredom - resting all the time!!!!!

Does anyone else feel like this?

Comments

  • janey124
    janey124 Member Posts: 17
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    hi missishy,

    im on methotrexate as well and just increased to 20mg injections over 3 months ago and was feeling like urself... its really annoying, i started taking high dose vit c and honey everyday and take berries most days too and have noticed a great difference, just get a bit snuffly for bout a day after taking injection then it settles again...

    hope this helps :) .
    janey x
  • lizzie7ne
    lizzie7ne Member Posts: 154
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Missishy.

    I am on 25mg a week Methotrexate by tablets. I also take 10mg of Leflunomide each day and I noticed an increase in infections. However I have increased my Vit C and berries - if I cant get blueberries which are so high in antioxidants I drink Blueberry cordial, its yummy and that way you get the Vit C and the berries. I also have honey as well, that is really good.

    lizzie
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Missishy,

    I think I know that one as well. Have had this cold reinfecting its self since August ( I think) it does seem endless and I am sure the cold weather don't help either. My Rumo tells me to stay at a constant temperature but that's hardly participle! I don't know the answer but sending you a ((( ))) and a hope you soon feel better. I am only on sulfa, but at a high dose, it not really working but the Rumo as reluctant to do an add in cus of other problems. Take care Cris

    Hi Janey and Lizzie,

    Does the vit c help? I tried it years ago at 1500 per day and didn't seem to make too much difference but maybe it wasn't enough? Hope our both going on ok? Cris
  • janey124
    janey124 Member Posts: 17
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    skezier wrote:
    Hi Missishy,

    I think I know that one as well. Have had this cold reinfecting its self since August ( I think) it does seem endless and I am sure the cold weather don't help either. My Rumo tells me to stay at a constant temperature but that's hardly participle! I don't know the answer but sending you a ((( ))) and a hope you soon feel better. I am only on sulfa, but at a high dose, it not really working but the Rumo as reluctant to do an add in cus of other problems. Take care Cris

    Hi Janey and Lizzie,

    Does the vit c help? I tried it years ago at 1500 per day and didn't seem to make too much difference but maybe it wasn't enough? Hope our both going on ok? Cris

    hey there, cris i find it helps but prob takes a while to notice a difference, i take 2000mgs daily vit c (from holand and barretts) along with the honey and berries, (mainly blueberries) with strawberries and cherries and grapes etc... and have cut down on caffiene and swapped it for herbal teas and put a newzeland honey (£2.59) from tescos in. been doing this for past 3 months and notice a great difference..

    hope all settles soon
    janey x
  • rosyred
    rosyred Member Posts: 150
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    hello.
    Yep can deffo relate to this... I have every thing going.and takes weeks to recover then feel grt for 2 days then bad again..

    Some times just sit and c ry cause all i want to do is feel well...Dont take the meds ur on i just think my imune system is not there .. Maybe gone on a long holiday, :x

    Grt nice one she says could have taken me with it ...

    sorry ur feeling so low . xxxx
  • annie_mial
    annie_mial Member Posts: 5,614
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I was told to take 2000mgs vit C by the doctor, but I haven't tried the other stuff along with it, I probably will 'cos today I have woken up with the cold from hell. Not fair, it could have been something nice!

    It's the first cold I've had in several years and I started metho end of October................ho hum!

    Annie
  • rb1234
    rb1234 Member Posts: 24
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi

    I really sympathise with you. I had cold/virus after cold for about 10 weeks in the run up to my hip replacement in december. Two weeks before my surgery I ended up taking a week off work and stopping Methetrexate for a week to try and shift it before my op. Looking at the reaction on some of the people at works face said it all. I'm sure they were thinking that i was about to take time off so shouldn't be off with a cold. Explaining that my immune system is a bit rubbish sounds like an excuse but I know it's not.

    On a positive note - I have been on methetrexate for over 10 years and not every year has been like this one. In fact this is the worst year for me being ill for 5 years I think there are some particularly nasty bugs around this year.

    Take it easy - get yourself properly well before going back to work. An extra day at the end of an illness might make sure you have really kicked it and stop you being off sick again for longer a few days later.

    Good luck!
  • jojo12
    jojo12 Member Posts: 30
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I have had a cough and generally felt unwell over the past 7 weeks. Prior to using methotrexate (methoject)used to 'bounce' back quickly. Had to have a chest x-ray this week as I gather this medication can cause lung inflamation. Phoned specialist nurse and she told me to stop until I get the chest x-ray result. I think this medication slightly knocks back the immune system?
  • lindalegs
    lindalegs Member Posts: 5,396
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I'm probably tempting fate here but I haven't had a cold since March 2008 although I'm on low dose Mtx of 10mg per week.

    Luv Legs
    who'll probably get a cold now I've said that :roll:
    Love, Legs x
    'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
  • pols090607
    pols090607 Bots Posts: 126
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Some days I too generally just feel unwell and like others feel as though all I do is moan to my husband and family about one ailment or another. It's reassuring to know I am not the only one feeling like a hypochondriac !
  • psyart
    psyart Member Posts: 600
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi

    methotraxate will affect your immune system! It decreases the way your immune system works and you will find that things take longer to get over - even a scratch will take longer to heal!!!

    i have been taking Vit C with Zinc and even though my OH was poorly over xmas, I have been ok!!!!!! I love the thought of berries - will def try them.

    If you are on methotrexate - you are eligable for flu jab and swine flu jab!!

    hope this helps!!!!

    louise
    e050.gifo050.gif
  • missishy
    missishy Member Posts: 13
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi everyone,

    Thanks for good tips - I will get on the old zinc and vit C now there is some waiting in my cupboard actually! Berries sound tasty will defo give that whirl!

    Been feelin better lately - though having a flare and a bit of the case of not fairs this week but you guys just made me feel a better. xxx
  • jean62
    jean62 Member Posts: 12
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Everyone.I am new on here ,but finding it is great to be able to communicate with other people who have RA .I also take Lufluminide ,and have just started self injections of Methotrexate.hoping they work better for me than the meth tablets,as they upset my stomach . Interesting about the Berries ,havnt tried them yet ,but will do .Gettin late ,will post again soon .jean
  • ritwren
    ritwren Member Posts: 928
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    This is very interesting, since I increased my methotrexate to 20mg around Christmas time I've had a constant runny nose and cough. Nothing serious or anything like that but a constant feeling that I have a virus. I must try the Vit C and some honey. Berries are so expensive, I wonder how many you need to take to help. It could just be coincidence as I too think there are more bugs around these days but it does make me wonder if it's connected.
    Hopefully now that the days are getting longer we'll all start to feel better.
    take care everyone, rita :)
  • katat1
    katat1 Bots Posts: 43
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I have noticed the same thing this winter. I never used to get colds but now I pick up everything my little grandson brings back from nursery and it takes ages to clear up. I was told that being on MTX would make me more prone to bugs and infections - they weren't wrong!

    His latest contribution is a really sore throat so I had no choice today but to snuggle under the duvet with a bowl of ice cream (for medicinal purposes of course! :D )

    Have been taking vit C 1000mg/day but will take other people's advice and double that from now on!

    Hope you are all recovering from your colds and bugs and I hope Spring puts and end to it.

    Best,

    Kat
    x
  • joyful164
    joyful164 Member Posts: 2,401
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I take steroids aswell, just a small 2.5mg a day caretaking dose.
    I have PMR aswell as RA, PA and OA.
    I also take 20mg MTX a week. Touch wood, I have been fine this winter. I also take Rose Hip Tablets, cod liver oil and kelp tablets.
    And I take Turmeric for the inflammation side of things.

    If you decide to take any alternative medicines, you need to check with your pharmacy that they will be OK for you.

    I suffer from Asthma also and up to 5 years ago, use to get constant colds, viruses, such as the ones you say you get. I then decided to put myself on a dairy free diet. I would say that 95% of my diet is now dairy free. Ordinary cows milk products cause mucus and it's then that you get infected with the build up it in your synuses
    4 of my grandchildren all have the same problem and 2 of them who are old enought to go onto Soya have benefitted.

    This is just a suggestion and perhaps you could discuss it with your rheumy nurse, see what she says

    Joy