Covid, antivirals & methotrexate help please

[Whippet_lady]

Good morning,

Well, it finally got me (and my husband). Three years of being ultra careful and I've got Covid. First positive was last Thursday after feeling rough on the Wednesday, so I phoned for antivirals which I received without any problems (molnupiravir), and I'm now on the last day of those. I tested again this morning and the positive line is very strong, a lot stronger than the first ones.

My question is would I be better off missing my methotrexate this week? It was too late to skip it last week. I'd ask my rheumy but he knows nothing about covid, vaccines, antivirals - yes, I know, very helpful when you're dealing with critically extremely vulnerable patients. I thought you lot would have more of an idea. I've skipped one, two and three weeks before for various reasons and had no ill effect. My logic tells me skipping an immunosuppressant when you have a rampant virus would be a good thing but I don't want to do it if it will make me worse.

Does that make sense?

Thanks, in advance, for your help.

[CarolMcl]

Morning. Sorry to hear you've caught covid. I stayed clear until I went for my fifth vaccine and caught it there!! With regards to your methotrexate, it would be better to miss this dose. Before I ever caught covid, I asked my rheumatologist what I should do in the event of catching it, he strongly advised contacting helpline for antivirals and missing out the methotrexate. I done as I was advised with no I'll effects of missing a dose. Hope this helps you and you feel better soon 🌹

[Whippet_lady in reply to CarolMcl]

Thank you Carol. That's what I thought. I just wanted a bit of confirmation. Nice to have a rheumy who knows what he's talking about! x

[CarolMcl in reply to Whippet_lady]

Yes I was really surprised with what you said about your rheumatologist, I'm obviously lucky with mine 🌹

[Spanielmadlady]

Hi.cant help with your question but just wanted to wish you a speedy recovery 🤗 💐🍇 x x

[Whippet_lady in reply to Spanielmadlady]

Thank you x

[svfarmer]

so sorry you have covid - I had it in November and I rang and asked my lupus nurse and she said miss a dose of the methotrexate - hope you feel better soon xx

[Whippet_lady in reply to svfarmer]

Thank you x

[CREATIA6_]

Good day

My consultant told me if I got any virus, especially covid, not to take methotrexate. After all symptoms are gone to wait for 2 more weeks and then to start methotrexate again.

Hope this will help. Greetings

[Whippet_lady in reply to CREATIA6_]

So that could be quite a while off it then? I've got a feeling that if I ever test negative the cough will linger for a while - I've had coughs for months before - not sure I want to stay off it too long. I'll have to see how it goes.

Do you know how long you can stay off methotrexate without having to build it back up again afterwards?

[CREATIA6_ in reply to Whippet_lady]

Hello again

I am not sure about your last question, maybe you can call or email your rheumatology nurse and ask. As I understood it’s better to stay off methotrexate for longer to clear any infection, virus..,e.t.c. Otherwise we’ll have symptoms for long time. Hope this helps. Greetings Whippet_lady

[Poshcards in reply to Whippet_lady]

Hi, I have been off methotrexate at 25mg for 7 weeks now with severe blistering cellulitis, I did my first injection this week, and just had usual nausea xx

[Whippet_lady in reply to Poshcards]

Thanks, that's good to know - not the nausea, obviously