shingles and methotrexate

millymolly
millymolly Member Posts: 14
edited 27. Aug 2010, 02:28 in Living with Arthritis archive
HI, a small red circle appeared on the right side of my back the next day it was the size of an orange, hot and itchy. I also felt weak and tired. Each day it has gone bigger now the size of a melon. The Dr wasn't sure what it was and thought viral infection like shingles. \there are no spots and the skin is not broken. Has anyone else had this before.
I have RA and SLE.

Comments

  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I'm sorrry, no. Go and see the your pharmacist: they are knowledgeable people, he/she might be more helpful. I wish you well. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • dorcas
    dorcas Member Posts: 3,516
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi millymolly nice to meet you :D

    I had shingles many years ago (pre arther days)

    It started as a small group of burning very painful spots that got hot then itchy and spread from my back around my side and down my leg. apparently shingles tracks the route a nerve takes. :roll: . I was given treatment...but can't remember what it was now. sorry.
    In any case the treatment I had might not be the same as you need as we are all so different and our arther conditions and meds complicate what we are given.

    If the area of swelling has worsened then it really would be better going back to see your doc. He will not mind I'm sure as this needs looking at.

    let us know ho you get on?

    Iris x
  • dorcas
    dorcas Member Posts: 3,516
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    How you feeling today millymolly?

    Iris x
  • cthornley
    cthornley Member Posts: 627
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    if you are on MTX and think you or your GP thinks you have shingles then you should contact the your Rhemy clinic at the hospital.
    Shingles & Chicken pox can become much more severe and dangerous if you are on MTX and should be assessed and appropriate treatment given, you can't just wait for it to go away like regular people
    I don't have an immunity to this virus (had Chicken pox many many times as a child :shock: ) and therefore avoid anybody who has it like the plague, as it made me very ill and that was before I started on MTX, i've even had my toddler immunised to reduce the risk to me.
    Hope it turns out to be something benign and goes away quickly
    Chrissie
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi, have you been able to see someone about it? DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • millymolly
    millymolly Member Posts: 14
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you for advise. I have spoke to the Rhemy nurse and she told me to go back to gp. I feel better in myself to day, not as shaky but my whole body is aching. :)
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Oh, I know that feeling. I hope you have some sleep tonight, keep us posted - I wish you well. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • dorcas
    dorcas Member Posts: 3,516
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi millymolly,

    what about the swelling? did the rheummy nurse realise it could be shingles and your on Mtx?

    are you seeing the doc tomorrow?

    sorry bout all the questions....am worried about you flower. :roll:

    Iris x
  • bluelobster
    bluelobster Member Posts: 18
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    HI i had been on MTX for 2 months and i got shingles. when i told my rheumy at the time he looked at me daggers like it was really unusual. However, it is not! MTX is an immunosuppresant remember so you are vulnerable to allsorts esp when your body is adjusting.

    Having said that, what i did learn is that you have to nip it in the bud with drugs early on for them to work. thus at this stage you might just need to keep an eye on it and let it take its course so to speak.
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Morning millymolly, how are things today? DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • mattpap
    mattpap Member Posts: 5
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Millimolly,

    I just read your post. As a biochemist, I used MTX in some of the cell biology experiments I did. I remember MTX can cause skin rash. You can find more info on the side effects of MTX at http://www.drugs.com/methotrexate.html
  • millymolly
    millymolly Member Posts: 14
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Went back to gp, saw a different one again, i asked him not to laugh but I felt it could be Lyme disease, he asked me why but in a nice way. I have been to France to stay at my sister's small farm, my husband had been bitten and had nasty marks, one week later when we were home he had a terrible headache and one side of his face looked like he had a stroke, we went staight to a and e and he was diagnosed with bells palsy which can be caused by a virus or a Tick bite (Lyme Disease). He took on board what I was saying and 2 hrs later i am at the hospital having 3 skin consultants looking at my back! They all agreed with me and I have had a blood test and been given 2 wks antibiotics. So 3 trips to the Dr's one phone call to nhs direct and a call to rhemy Nurse and as usual I have diagnosed myself but eventually was listened to!! I know mad story this is what my life is like! had RA and Lupus for 15yrs and I have learnt alot about my body and how it reacts and I'm usually right but it's hard for some Dr's to listen. I feel today I was listened to and now I can concentrate on getting better. Can't sleep again 1
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    At last you know what it is and you know it will be sorted. That is a good thing. I wish you well. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben

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