The rash of doom

RavenHairedPixie
RavenHairedPixie Member Posts: 36
edited 10. Jan 2020, 03:23 in Living with arthritis
Hi! I’m pretty new to arthritis but just before I was diagnosed I had a rash all over my hands.... I’m now in the middle of a horrible flare up and have the same rash but all over one foot and leg.... coincidence? Or is this connected? It’s absolutely vile!
Also ended up being given morphine for the pain which apparently I must be immune to as it’s not helping at all [emoji80]


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Comments

  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    If I remember correctly you are newly diagnosed with RA and take methotrexate? I know that a rash can be a side effect of meth, when I began the tablet version I had a rash on both forearms which, after years of severe eczema, left me completely unmoved but my rheumatologist (back in the days when I ueed to see her) got very antsy and I was taken off the meth with immediate effect.

    I am also prone to meth rash in the summer as the drug increases the skin's photosensitivity. You should ring your rheumatology unit and tell them. We cannot diagnose or advise. Regarding morphine, for some opiates are not that effective and it merely 'works' by taking you away from the pain rather than vice versa. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • RavenHairedPixie
    RavenHairedPixie Member Posts: 36
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    dreamdaisy wrote:
    If I remember correctly you are newly diagnosed with RA and take methotrexate? I know that a rash can be a side effect of meth, when I began the tablet version I had a rash on both forearms which, after years of severe eczema, left me completely unmoved but my rheumatologist (back in the days when I ueed to see her) got very antsy and I was taken off the meth with immediate effect.

    I am also prone to meth rash in the summer as the drug increases the skin's photosensitivity. You should ring your rheumatology unit and tell them. We cannot diagnose or advise. Regarding morphine, for some opiates are not that effective and it merely 'works' by taking you away from the pain rather than vice versa. DD

    I don’t have a rheumatology unit to call unfortunately.
    The rash started before I went on Metho. It’s what prompted me to go to the doctors where before her the arthritis diagnosis. Just wasn’t sure it if it was a part of the arthritis


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  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,697
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    As I recall, you saw a private consultant and are now waiting to see an NHS one. What did your private consultant say about the rash? Several autoimmune forms of arthritis can cause rashes. So can meth but, if you had it before you went on meth it doesn't sound, to a total layperson, as if the meth is the cause.

    Personally I'd let my GP check it out. They're not experts in dermatology but a bit more so than us.

    Pain relief is a bit of a misnomer. My own take on it is that, if it doesn't help, why bother? But, on no account stop morphine without a doc telling you how to.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • Mike1
    Mike1 Member Posts: 1,992
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I have been on Morphine for years as no other pain medication worked, even so it does not eliminate the pain it just knocks the edge off.
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Apologies for not making myself clear: by rheumatology unit I meant rheumatology department or the person who prescribed the meth: try the pharmacist or GP about the rash. Rashes are another auto-immune issue, one of the three hundred or so auto-immune inflammatory conditions.

    I also apologise for not correctly recalling your history of diagnosis or the fact you had the rash before diagnosis, I self-diagnose forum fatigue. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • RavenHairedPixie
    RavenHairedPixie Member Posts: 36
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Little update! Just got back from the doctors and turns out it’s actually shingles [emoji51][emoji85]


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  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Ooooh, hard luck. I have always followed the advice from my NHS rheumatology unit to stop the immuno-suppressant meds for myy PsA whenever I contract an infection. We produce symptoms only when an infection has truly gotten hold, sometimes we have no idea how ill we are because we do not have any symptoms. Contact whoever prescribes your meth and ask their advice. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • RavenHairedPixie
    RavenHairedPixie Member Posts: 36
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    dreamdaisy wrote:
    Ooooh, hard luck. I have always followed the advice from my NHS rheumatology unit to stop the immuno-suppressant meds for myy PsA whenever I contract an infection. We produce symptoms only when an infection has truly gotten hold, sometimes we have no idea how ill we are because we do not have any symptoms. Contact whoever prescribes your meth and ask their advice. DD

    Wow..... I didn’t even think about that. Thank you so much for the advice. I’ve emailed my consultant to find out what he wants me to do. Thank you x


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  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    You're welcome. Do you have any idea how or where you contracted this? Another word of advice: before socialising establish whether anyone you will be seeing is ill or has recently been ill: if either applies think hard before getting together. We are very prone to infection due to our suppressed immune systems, keep anti-bac wipes handy, hand gels too: do not be afraid to use them when out and about or to get others to use them too. Increase your general hand hygeine too, wash them properly and frequently. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • RavenHairedPixie
    RavenHairedPixie Member Posts: 36
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    dreamdaisy wrote:
    You're welcome. Do you have any idea how or where you contracted this? Another word of advice: before socialising establish whether anyone you will be seeing is ill or has recently been ill: if either applies think hard before getting together. We are very prone to infection due to our suppressed immune systems, keep anti-bac wipes handy, hand gels too: do not be afraid to use them when out and about or to get others to use them too. Increase your general hand hygeine too, wash them properly and frequently. DD

    No idea at all. Just seemed to hit me out of nowhere. I knew my immune system would be effected a bit but I wasn’t really prepared for this. It’s absolutely floored me! I’ve had to go and stay with my mum in Devon for a bit because I just can’t even do anything at the moment


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  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,697
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Shingles and methotrexate do not mix. Your methotrexate leaflet should have told you not to go near anyone with shingles or chicken pox and your private consultant should never have put you on meth if you already had the shingles rash.

    You'll see from this leaflet put out by the NHS that you should stop the meth while you have shingles (under 'Possible Risks or Side Effects') https://www.gwh.nhs.uk/media/190751/methotrexate2.pdf

    Rest up and recover. I hope it's quick.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • RavenHairedPixie
    RavenHairedPixie Member Posts: 36
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Shingles and methotrexate do not mix. Your methotrexate leaflet should have told you not to go near anyone with shingles or chicken pox and your private consultant should never have put you on meth if you already had the shingles rash.

    You'll see from this leaflet put out by the NHS that you should stop the meth while you have shingles (under 'Possible Risks or Side Effects') https://www.gwh.nhs.uk/media/190751/methotrexate2.pdf

    Rest up and recover. I hope it's quick.

    I knew I’d seen somewhere about Meth and shingles. I haven’t knowingly been near anyone with shingles or chicken pox so not quite sure what’s happened.
    The first rash I had I now know is different from this one. The first one was on my hands and this one looked similar to start. But obviously it’s not [emoji85]. Thanks everyone


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  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,697
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    The trouble is we don't 'knowingly' go near people with shingles or chicken pox but they can come near us 'unknowingl :roll: . You didn't know what your rash was: the person who infected you might not have known what they had either. Chicken pox and shingles are infectious until the 'spots' have all scabbed over. Even then we can't be over-confident. When I checked once with my rheumatology helpline before going for a meal with some friends who currently had their 'scabbed over' grandchildren living with them I was told it should now be OK but to ask the friends to change clothes just before leaving the house :o Frankly, I didn't. I just told them not to come too close to either myself or Mr SW. They're good friends. They understood.

    Meth does make us more prone to infections. Usually simple precautions are enough but chicken pox and shingles are, for some reason, big no-nos, as are all live vaccines. Once you've recovered do get a flu jab too. We get them free.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,332
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I hope you feel ok with shingles Ravenhairedpixie not nice I know.

    My daughter had it when she was 11 and it wasn't fun.

    I expect you'll be staying inside not spreading it further for now so ((())) get well soon

    Toni xx
  • RavenHairedPixie
    RavenHairedPixie Member Posts: 36
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    frogmorton wrote:
    I hope you feel ok with shingles Ravenhairedpixie not nice I know.

    My daughter had it when she was 11 and it wasn't fun.

    I expect you'll be staying inside not spreading it further for now so ((())) get well soon

    Toni xx

    Thanks so much. Can honestly say it’s actually worth than the arthritis pain! So at least that takes my mind off that for a bit [emoji23]. Got to laugh really.
    Yeah I’m stuck inside for a while now!


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