Medication, Comorbidities and Infections

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jamieA
jamieA Member Posts: 866
edited 15. Jul 2025, 19:47 in Living with arthritis

I've been on a 3 drug regime for psoriatic arthritis since July 2021 - sulfasalazine, methotrexate and adalimumab. I have also been on a 3 drug regime for atrial fibrillation and tachycardia since that time. In November 2024 I had a blockage to the left side heart artery and subsequently had a heart attack. I was initially put on a cocktail of 8 drugs for this - though this is now down to 5. However over the last 4 months I've had 5 different infections to different parts of me - which my GP and cardiologist don't appear to think are linked. I've been relatively careful since 2021 knowing that I am immunocompromised and that hasn't changed so I think that the change in my drugs regime must have something to do with these infections. I just wondered if anyone else here has gone through a similar issue.

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  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,458

    Morning @jamieA

    I suspect that some of your new heart meds might be having some sort of effect on your immune system have you researched each of them in turn I wonder I know I would be in your shoes.

    Thing is the benefits may well outweigh the issues you are experiencing with your lowered (even more than pre heart attack) immune system.

    I can't believe your heart consultant isn't prepared to have a proper conversation about it though even though it's possible you are stuck with the medications.

    Be interested to hear how you get on

    Toni x

  • jamieA
    jamieA Member Posts: 866

    @frogmorton

    Hi Toni,

    Thanks for the response. I attended a cardio physio rehab class for about 4 months from the start of this year which may have had a bearing on me contracting some infections but most of these would not have been easily transmitted - if at all. Being in a gym with 14 others who've had heart attacks is probably not the most sterile environment to be in. However I'm pretty sure the various heart drugs combined with the PsA drugs are the main reason for these infections - it's just too much coincidence. I managed to get through almost 4 years of taking MTX and adalimumab without contracting too many infections before this. Also I've had about 4 drug changes since January due to other side effects from the heart drugs - everything from a persistent cough, insomnia, stomach upsets and joint pain. There are a number of medical papers linking PsA and throat infections so giving a heart drug which has a 40% chance side effect of persistent cough doesn't seem logical but they did it twice. Also giving a heart drug with a known side effect of joint pain to a PsA sufferer seems illogical. However cardiology simply do not communicate with rheumatology normally - it took me weeks to get them to talk to each other regarding me being able to continue with my biologic. I've now been discharged by cardiology back to my GP as I've had 4 drugs I've had to stop due to side effects so effectively there's no more they will do.

  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,458

    You are between a rock and a hard place for definite Jamie. You don't want another heart attack that is for sure, but catching constant infections isn't ideal either. The lesser of two evils though maybe???? With no-one able to advise you your head must be buzzing with it. One thing for sure stress and worry is very bad for our hearts and overall health.

    Be intereested to hear what you decide to do.

    Toni x

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