Lowered immune question!

[Simone_Holly]

Hello, hope everyone is ok. I'm after some advice please I'm on methetrexate, meloxicam, predisolone and hydroxychloroquine and I know that my immune system is lowered because of them. I've had a cold for a week now and today ive woken with a horrible ear ache and feeling worse. I get ear infections quite easily and usually have anti biotics for them but think i'd have to stop some meds If antibiotics are needed? I've left a message for my nurse but I'm not sure if I should go to the docs or try and ride it out a bit longer? Just wondered what other people's experiences are? Does stopping the meds cause a flare up or not to bad because it's only temporary? Hope that all makes sense!! Thank you in advance good people.

Take care,

Simone x

[wiliby]

Hi, I don't think you should try ride it out and see your gp soon, if you have a temperature then definitely sooner rather than later! I have asked similar question in past about flaring and if I remember right it was mixed however you should be covered as you say it being temporary, mostly I don't flare

Hope you feel better soon!

[Simone_Holly in reply to wiliby]

Thank you!!! I'll make an appointment with my gp I think, probably best just in case. Hope you're doing ok! X

[wiliby in reply to Simone_Holly]

Yes you should and hope you have already!😁 I just noticed your newly diagnosed, how awful you must be feeling! Hopefully your meds will sort you out soon, this really is the worst time for you, take it easy and remember there are many of us (myself most of time) who have managed to get disease under control x

[Simone_Holly in reply to wiliby]

Thank you so much! I'm getting there slowly it's quite an experience isn't it!!! Been to the docs today and he was great so that's good hope you're ok and thanks again x

[Hidden]

I've just had 15 days in hospital on IV antibiotics, I missed two Methotrexate injections but continued to take Leflunomide and Prednisolone. I don't think missing meds for the short time you would be on antibiotics, will cause a flare - unless you were heading for one anyway. All the best. xx

[Simone_Holly in reply to Hidden]

Thank you! I hope you're feeling better from your hospital stay. I'll see the gp tomorrow I hope! X

[Victoria-NRAS Partner Moderator NRAS]

Hi Simone

You should definitely get the infection checked out and make sure they know what drugs you're on when they decide what antibiotics to use, as some of them interfere with methotrexate in particular.

You may be asked to stop the drugs for a period, even if only for the course of the antibiotics, but if you are only stopping for a week or two you may not notice a great difference, though some people will, so it does vary. If you were on a biologic drug I would say they will almost certainly stop it when you have an infection, but for the drugs you are on they may be happy for you to stay on some of them, which the nurse will hopefully be able to advise you about.

Better to get the infection sorted out now, as if it worsens you might end up on a longer course of antibiotics.

I hope you feel better soon

Victoria

(NRAS)

[Simone_Holly in reply to Victoria-NRAS]

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated x

[Hidden]

Hi Simone

I have RA in both hands/wrists and feet/ankles and I'm in the same position at the moment - I'm on Methotrexate, Hydroxychloroquine, Sulfasalazine and Naproxen and have dreadful flu. I stuck it out for about 3 days before I went to my GP; he took my temp, looked at my throat and listened to my chest before prescribing Amoxicillin. He told me to keep up with the RA meds but only use the painkillers I already have - Tramadol and Co-codamol - for the flu and not to take anything else including decongestants.

So far, so good. I still have a rattling cough but it's improving and my RA is similar to how it was before I started. It's only been 3 days though and I'm still riding the crest of a steroids injection I had at the end of April (which is when my RA was finally diagnosed.)

So, hopefully, your GP will be as helpful for you. Off you go!

This is my first post BTW. Hi all!

Mo

[Simone_Holly in reply to Hidden]

Hello, thanks for sharing your experience. I hope you feel better soon! Luckily my gp was great and I'm on the right track, I'm glad I went take care x