Coughing my lungs up. Fed up.

[keeta]

Hi all started on methetreate injection last March. Now on 20 my. Helped my stiffness and pain.but since June I have been coughing none stop.then developed a weeze and was bring in up a white foam.had an exray other lung function tests .All show nothing .have had steroid tablets and inhalers.guna send me to a chest doctor .but exray etc is clear.still cough in sometimes so much I can.t breath.

Every few weeks my white cells are low and iron is low.

My doctor said he doesn't. T think it is the methetrexate. My nurse not so sure said after Christmas might try somethin else but what. Anyone had good experience with other drugs..kathy

[oldtimer]

It sounds to me as though it is worth trying another DMARD - have a look on the NRAS site for information on other ones and if you have a look at past posts you will find loads of people on various drugs and with various responses to them.

I know Methotrexate is regarded at the "Gold Standard" but many people are on other medications with good control.

[keeta in reply to oldtimer]

Thank you for your reply.its such a worry incase the side effects are the same. Or if it doesn't. Control the pain.etc.

[dawniee2121]

I know someone who is suffering severe SORE THROAT VIRUS SINCE HAVE THIS MEDICATION ALWAYS VERY POORLEY...I THINK ITS SIDE EFFECTS..HE IS GOING TO ASK TO STOP TAKING IT...AS HE HAS NEVER HAD TIME OFF WORK UNTILL HE HAD THESE INJECTIONS...WORRYING WITH ALL THESE SIDE EFFECTS NOT GOOD....

[keeta in reply to dawniee2121]

Thank you for the reply.ifeel between the devil and the deep blue.

[shareasmile]

I, too, developed lung problems while taking mtx. It began with a dry cough, then progressed to chest pain, shortness of breath, and pulled/strained cartilage in the rib cage. After going to the ER with chest pain, I had a lung function test which showed asthma. I totally blame the mtx. (Even though the Rheumy doc said no.) I was on several other drugs since and now take Enbrel which has been a miracle med.

[keeta in reply to shareasmile]

Thank you haven.t heard of that one.it is scare. Just Don. T want to make a mistake.i feel so ill.

[Hidden]

I took MTX for 5 weeks last year before being told by Rheumy nurse to stop it following a cough and throat issues which I still seem to have 18 months later. I have had endoscopy twice and this shows no problems with voice box but I still feel like I have a golf ball in my throat and my voice gets very hoarse. I never had this problem before taking MTX and now Rheumy are saying I don't have RA and all my symptoms are down to Fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis. So I am angry that I have been prescribed this drug which has given me more health problems to cope with and just being dismissed and told ~I have to get on with it.

[keeta in reply to Hidden]

Sounds a lot like me. Thank you for your reply.got to do somethin .seems to be gettin worse