Meth and sunshine.

dreamdaisy

Looking at the sunshine that we have round here prompted the thought that it's time for me to unearth the Factor 30. The sun and me have never been a match made in heaven and our relationship has deteriorated further since I began injected meth. I am wearing long sleeves and will don a scarf to protect my neck :roll: but the sunscreen will be lightly applied regardless. Get some in if you need it - meth rash is very uncomfortable and easy to avoid. DD

constable

I didn't know how careful you have to be when you are on the injections. I bet you dread summer DD. Just take things easy.

dreamdaisy

This applies to both the liquid and tablet form, Constable. Methotrexate can cause an increased sensitivity to sunlight and it's best to be wary. As for summer, well, I don't dread it but I've never enjoyed it. DD

stickywicket

Yup, I have to avoid the sun, too, though I enjoy looking at it from the shade with a glass of summat nice.

I'm currently having to explain at least once per day that the reason why I've come back from a month in California with no sun tan is because of the meth. They are always amazed that sun isn't an unqualified 'good thing' for arthritis.

Lacura

Poor you! I used to live for the summer sun and would faithfully adorn my sunbed (!!) from morning till night until recently. Now my skin is so thin that I burn at the slightest ray! It seems to be part and parcel of the menopause and nothing to do with arthritis but I do miss those lazy hours of Vitamin C!!

If the sun is too hot the arthritic pain is as bad as when it's cold so I pray for a happy medium most days!!

How life changes when you reach those middle years!

Lacura x

gemmarh100

Hi all,

At my first Rheumy App, I was diagnosed with RA, and am soon to start on MTX...what is this MTX-rash/sensitivity to sun? I love laying in the sun and am always out in the summer, also have to be outside sometimes at work... Will this have to stop???

Any advice about rash/MTX would be great...???

Gem X

Numptydumpty

I don't burn, and never had a problem whilst on Meth tablets, and didn't even think about it when I started injections. I was out in the sun for a short while, not sun bathing, just pottering in the garden. I was wearing cut-offs and a 3/4 sleeve top, every bit of exposed skin burnt!
I feel so foolish, as I didn't even realise it was happening :oops:

shandy4greenday

This is my first summer being on Meth and recently I have had a lot of stiffness in my hands and wrists with some pain,Is this just a normal thing with RA in the summer ? or is it due the the fact of the Meth in this warmer weather ? Also to add my last blood results 2 weeks ago revealed my ESR had gone down from 5 to 2 but today my ESR has now gone from 2 to 6 which maybe also the reason for so much stiffness yet this also could this also of risen due to the warm ? I was only diagnosed in January but this has got me thinking about last summer I kept getting this same feeling in my hands every now and then in the summer and actually had a blood test taken back then,which also came back clear so they did no more and just sent me away with no follow up,until I started getting problems start again in September,so I am thinking it seems like after all this maybe was the start of my RA last year but only got triggered more when I started working carrying heavy trays in the kitchen.

dreamdaisy

One of the side effects of tablet (and injectable) methotrexate is that it can increase the skin's photosensitivity. I have trouble with it (a lovely sunny day now involves long sleeves, a hat and a scarf :roll: ) but some of you may not have any trouble. Just be aware that you may more easily burn and / or get a rash, that's all. Anything over factor 30 is a waste of money - after all we do need some vitamin D. DD

shandy4greenday

Thankyou for the warning I'm off to Skeggy the first 2 weeks of August normally I don't use sun cream only when abroad (naughty I know) but I will be more aware of it now just in case.