medication

[Murp17]

Hi everyone thanks for letting me join I’ve just been diagnosed with Lupas in November and started on methotrexate in the middle of December. I contacted my doctor on Thursday as I have lump under my chin & along my jaw line my doctor didn’t see me & said it was a infection and gave me a antibiotic I was told to stop the methotrexate for a week to take the antibiotic I am really unsure what to do about this as I am in a flare up just now. Is this something to do with Lupas Would anyone be able to advise me on the best thing to do

thank you all so much

[Spanielmadlady]

Hi Murp sorry to hear you are unwell. I take mmf and when i need antibiotics i need to stop taking my immunosuppressants.immunosuppressant take up to 2 months to start to work 6 months for full effect.as you only been taking them for a few weeks stopping them is unlikely to make much difference.its important to get on top of the infection though.if in doubt always check with your Dr. Hope you feel better soon .kind regards x SML x

[Murp17 in reply to Spanielmadlady]

that’s great thank you so much for your help am going to phone my rheumatologist on Monday am really grateful for your help xxx

[Spanielmadlady in reply to Murp17]

There is always help here so don't be afraid to ask . With immunosuppressants you've got to be really careful where infections,cuts ,grazes etc are concerned...you've got to be on the ball and nip them in the bud xx

[Hypericum]

just to add, don’t expect to see instant results with methotrexate. Mine took a good 6 months before I began to get better and I would say a year before I really felt its effects. It’s a slow burn.

[Murp17 in reply to Hypericum]

thank you that’s why I didn’t want to stop it for a week to take antibiotics as I know it’s going to take time too work. Am so grateful for all the help and advice I can get

[Hypericum in reply to Murp17]

Most advice is to stop if taking antibiotics. Just go back on it when ready and stick with it x

[Murp17 in reply to Hypericum]

I’ve not took the antibiotics yet am going to phone my rheumatologist tomorrow morning too see what’s the best way forward thank you so do much for all your help & advice am very grateful xx

[Hypericum in reply to Murp17]

good plan. Hope you feel better soon x

[Murp17]

thank you xx

[Deiniol]

I wouldn't be happy being prescribed antibiotics without the doctor checking me out. How can he tell that it's an infection without seeing you. As regards the methotrexate, I've been advised to stop when taking antibiotics. I would insist on seeing the doctor, you sometimes have to be forceful!

[Murp17 in reply to Deiniol]

my doctor is one of these doctors that still isn’t seeing people since covid it’s all online with pictures to be sent that’s why am unhappy about starting a antibiotic that I might not even need & going to phone my rheumatologist tomorrow thank you so much for your help & advice xx

[Deiniol]

That's ridiculous, I've seen my doctor numerous times since covid, everyone has to get on with it now, they can't hide behind covid for ever. Good idea to get in touch with your rheumatologist, I'm lucky, we have a specialist lupus nurse at our hospital and a helpline. They always get back to me. Good luck.

[Tara1_]

Keep going and don't take no for an answer. Do what your doctor says and still if you are worried and it doesn't work the medication they gave you politely insist you need an appointment and then ask for an appointment with the specialist who prescribed the medication and ask for an immediate response referral letter to be sent from your gp to the specialist. Confirm you know that all things take time but you really need their help but appreciate that they are working very hard to help. Politeness and good manners including sympathy for them goes a long way. Trust me. I don't know if anything I've said helps but I really hope so.

I hope things improve for you quickly. You are in my thoughts.