Cough.....should I take MTX???

gemmarh100
gemmarh100 Member Posts: 73
edited 17. Aug 2013, 11:30 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi all,

I have had a dry cough for about 1 week and it feels like it's travelling to me chest. It is a struggle to breathe in deeply and it makes me cough. ,Otherwise I am fine, no cold symptoms or anything :?: I don't know if it is an effect from the MTX or just a normal cough, but should I take my MTX??? :?:

I have heard (and it's also in the booklet) that I should stop MTX if I get ill...but how ill is ill?? :lol:

I would appreciate a quick response and any experiences with this as today is my MTX day, but I won't take it until this evening. Obviously I can't contact my Rheumy team as it's the weekend.... :roll:

Hope you are all well,

Gem xxx

Comments

  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    We can't diagnose and can't tell you what to do, Gem. It might be something lurking or it might be connected with the meth. Personally, if in doubt I leave it off, these days, but I've been on it for years, I know that missing the odd week will make little, if any difference to me and I'm pretty expert at my own coughs :)

    You could try ringing the national helpline for advice. Hindsight is a wonderful thing :roll: but I think, for the future, you need to start monitoring coughs and dealing with them before your meth day rather than leaving them for a week. It's a different way of life :)
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    One of the troubles we face is that, because our immune system is suppressed, we don't produce symptoms as readily so an infection can get a hold before we know we're poorly. I've been walking this tightrope for years and don't fret if I miss a dose but I do tell the hospital when I've missed a dose and why. As Sticky said, we can't tell you what to do - you will have to make the choice based on how you are feeling. I also check my temperature - if that is raised then I read that as an indication that I have a bug. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • Boomer13
    Boomer13 Member Posts: 1,931
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Gem;

    If it's just a dry cough, not viral and you have no other viral symptoms, you need to report this to your GP or better yet, your rheum as respiratory irritation is a rare side-effect of mtx treatment. You could try upping your folic acid.

    I had this when I started mtx; dry cough the 24 hrs after taking mtx. Upping my folic acid to 2mg/day fixed it for me. However, you should be sure and speak with a doc and make sure it's not viral.

    Please do report this to your rheum!

    xxAnna
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