Advice please

scarlett
scarlett Member Posts: 28
edited 18. Jan 2010, 19:02 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi all,

I'm hoping some of you could give me some advice please. Have PA and take Mxt 15mg by injection, celebrex 400mg, paracetomol and oromorph prn.
My WCC is only 3.1 and I've been suffering from various colds, coughs, cold sores etc for quite a few weeks. Had a course of anti-virals which cleared up the cold sores but got a really bad cold last week and back to square one.
Rhuemy nurse has told me to stop the MXT for 4 weeks and this should improve the WCC.

Anyone any experience of doing this, I'm a bit scared incase I have a flare up and to be honest I feel absolutely awful today, have only missed one MTX dose so far. I feel sick, dizzy, hot/cold and still full of cold.

Thanks in anticipation


Scarlett

Comments

  • Wonkylegs
    Wonkylegs Member Posts: 3,504
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    HI Scarlett,
    so sorry that you are having this problem at the mo.

    I have had to stop the MTX on a number of occasions but usually due to a run of infections rather than a very low WCC.

    It may be that you do notice the missing MTX, but you may not - we can never know until we try :roll: but I would say that it will at least tell you if the MTX is helping you!!!

    I have always found that I have to slow down a bit whilst missing the MTX, and maybe take more of my pain meds, but if you take things steady and don't go mad and overdo things, you should be ok.

    YOu would NOT be ok if you kept on the MTX and kept getting more and more infections, so that is why it is best to give your body time to fight the infections without having to fight the MTX too.

    good luck ((()))
  • psyart
    psyart Member Posts: 600
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi

    can you take Vit C and Zinc suplements?? I take the ones that say help immune system - so far so good. OH was poorly over xmas but seems to have stayed away from me!! I take 15ml injec methx and pain killers and when have been poorly with cold then knocked for six so hoping vits are helping!!!! :?: :?:

    Louise
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  • scarlett
    scarlett Member Posts: 28
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks guys, think I will try some vitamins.

    I am morbidly curious to see how I get on with the MTX but scared at the same time.

    Scarlett
  • Wonkylegs
    Wonkylegs Member Posts: 3,504
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Have you checked first if it is a good idea to take vitamins / herbal remedies that support the immune system at the same time as medication that suppresses it?

    I just ask because I was advised not to try to boost my immune system whilst on MTX & leflunomide - one fights the other.

    might be worth checking with your rheumy nurse or pharmacist.

    oh, and you shouldn't take anything with echinacea in at the same time as MTX.
  • salamander
    salamander Member Posts: 1,906
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Scarlett, I've just had a chest infection and had to go to A&E for blood test and x-ray and am on antibiotics. I thought the white cell count went up if you had an infection so I imagine that is why she told you to stop the Mtx, to give your immune system a chance to kick in and those white cells a chance to do their job! My rheum nurse told me today to skip this week and, if not well when finished antibiotics, to skip next week.

    Wonky is quite right, from what I know, about supplements etc. I was also told not to take anything at all. Echinacea is bad because it can affect your liver.
    Sally x