cold sores/vitamin b deficiancy&methotrexate?

dutchess

I've had an awful day and have been left very confused and wondered if others had any experience of the following. I'm on metho and plaquenil. Anyway had persistent cold sores for two weeks, saw nurse early in week for metho injection and advised trying some cream as other wasn't working if not better by fri speak with dr. Tried to get appointment today with dr no luck advised to go to walk in centre. Anyway saw dr there, also have developed sore on finger looks infected. Dr there was concerned relating to metho/suppressed immune system and spoke with on call rheumatology registrar who agreed to see me. Also said make sure get antibiotics or see plastics regarding finger. Anyway saw two registras, they think cold sores are vitamin deficiency so prescribed vit b for month but also to continue to use cream : ( how can it be deficiency and viral? Looked at figure said didn't know what it was, not infected as I could let them touch it! Ruled out anything to do with raynauds or vasculitis as obvisouly their main concern being in rheumatology. They also suggested tiredness was prob related to the vit b deficiency. Anyway I'm very confused by it all. Seeing nurse on monday as have my metho injection so will seek some clarity from her just hope mouth/finger settles over weekend. Know how careful us on metho have to be relating to infection, I also have a mild fever : ? I am confused.com!!!
Take care
Luv Kelly

lizzie7ne

Hi Kelly, Its good you are seeing the nurse on Monday - in my Methotrexate book given to me by the Rheumy when I was put on MTX it says if you have a fever to stop MTX and report it to the Doctor or nurse. Its good you are seeing the nurse on Monday.
I have had a couple of cold sore outbreaks round my mouth since being on MTX, the last episode is clearing up with Zovirax cream. However, earlier in the year it was quite bad and I felt awful and my GP gave me some antiviral tablets, he said he would not have given these out normally for cold sores but as I was on MTX he was doing so. They helped clear things up although the anti viral tablets made me feel sick and I couldnt finish the course.
The Rheumy nurse also suggested a VIT B12 deficiency but my blood test for this came back ok.

Hope you are feeling ok soon

lizzie

dutchess

lizzie7ne wrote:

Hi Kelly, Its good you are seeing the nurse on Monday - in my Methotrexate book given to me by the Rheumy when I was put on MTX it says if you have a fever to stop MTX and report it to the Doctor or nurse. Its good you are seeing the nurse on Monday.
I have had a couple of cold sore outbreaks round my mouth since being on MTX, the last episode is clearing up with Zovirax cream. However, earlier in the year it was quite bad and I felt awful and my GP gave me some antiviral tablets, he said he would not have given these out normally for cold sores but as I was on MTX he was doing so. They helped clear things up although the anti viral tablets made me feel sick and I couldnt finish the course.
The Rheumy nurse also suggested a VIT B12 deficiency but my blood test for this came back ok.

Hope you are feeling ok soon

lizzie

Hi Lizzie
Thanks for your response feel like I've been round the houses today. I'm continuing with zovirax and have a months supply of vit b tablets. Is very strange as was on metho for four years came off for few months now about three months into restarting it and get this. Hopefully the nurse will clear things up on monday. Is reassuring to hear your story. Just feel that this walk-in dr really went over the top today, wasted the rheumy depts time and feel bad for missing work yet again!
Take care
Luv Kelly

Wonkylegs

HI kelly,

sorry to hear that you are struggling with cold sores. I have only had cold sores once when on MTX but had to miss that week's MTX as they don't like me to have the MTX when I have an active infection. I often get mouth ulcers though, and have to stop MTX until they clear up.

I would make sure to check with the nurse on Monday before you have the MTX, as usually they say that it is not wise to further compromise your immune system when you are already fighting an infection. Missing the MTX is not great, but it does help you to fight off infection more quickly than if you carried on taking it.

hope that helps - good luck!