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S2cgm
S2cgm Member Posts: 4
in Living with arthritis
First post here cause I’m unsure who to turn to and with everything going on I am loathed to go to the hospital.

I have had rheumatoid arthritis since the age of 16 (now 32) with flare ups every now and again. I have been on methotrexate, sulfasalzine, cimzia and now barocitinib.

My little girl (5 year old) came home from school with chicken pox and I had never had them before. Phoned the doctors and they said nothing to worry about with myself. I am no starting to feel chest pains and spots appearing all over me. Any advice would be great if this is something that’s possibly happened before to anyone else ?

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  • YvonneH
    YvonneH Member Posts: 1,076
    edited 17. Apr 2020, 21:23
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    Hi S2cgm,

    Welcome to the forum, I’m glad you found us with your question.

    There is a concern re methotrexate and chicken pox, this is the link

    https://www.nras.org.uk/methotrexate-methotrexate-828

    and this is the relevant paragraph

    Methotrexate and chickenpox

    • Before methotrexate is started, a blood test to check for immunity to chickenpox is advisable. Ideally, a chickenpox vaccination would be given before starting methotrexate, but this would cause a delay in commencing treatment. The consultant or clinical nurse specialist will discuss whether such a delay is acceptable
    • Anyone taking methotrexate who comes into contact with chickenpox – and this means being in the same room as someone with chickenpox for 5 minutes or more – should seek advice. This is because they may require an injection of VZIG (Varicella-Zoster Immune Globulin) for protection which is their doctor’s assessment and decision

    Do call 111 to seek medical attention. Please post back and let us know how you get on.

    Take care

    Yvonne x

  • S2cgm
    S2cgm Member Posts: 4
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    Thank you :) called 111 this morning as my temp has hit 40. Just waiting on a call back
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
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    I am not a doc and cannot advise but this doesn't sound good. My hospital (a teaching one) has always told me to stop my immuno-suppressing meds when I fall ill but if you have not been told that then don't do it until you have sought proper rheumatological advice. I have been on these meds for donkeys' years so am experienced but advice varies depending on the view of the rheumatologist and what they have been taught. DD

    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • S2cgm
    S2cgm Member Posts: 4
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    Called 111 and the nurse was great. Passed me to a doctor who questioned why I called. Told me to stay on my meds but don’t take ibuprofen... asked her if she can see my meds as one is an ibuprofen and she stuttered and said I’ll call you back. Called back and blamed me for pronouncing my medication wrong and that I should come off them and contact my GP about my baricitinib 😟 unbelievable.

    I have temp came off everything just now
  • YvonneH
    YvonneH Member Posts: 1,076
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    Hi there,

    Well I'm glad you got hold of some help, and I'm glad they did check your meds - how did you get on re the baricitinib?

    Just try to take life really easy for a bit, take extra care re shielding while you are in this state, maybe keep your little one at home

    Thinking of you

    Yvonne x

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