Methotrexate and cold symptoms and Fatigue question .

[Strayleaves]

Hi all ,I am a little confused re wheather to take my methotrexate or not . I am on 20 mg each Monday . I am also on Humira , although switching to Enbrel as soon as I get the script (hopefully will Receive it soon). Just a little confused as some people are saying to still take it , unless you are really unwell with high temps and all , where others say to not take it until you are over the infection . Does it really matter if it's a viral or bacterial infection ? Due to take it tomorrow. 🤧🤧

Also ,

Is the fatigue and exhaustion the RA disease , or is it caused by the medications used to treat the RA ?

Thank you 😊

[helixhelix]

It really depends on the individual and there is no hard and fast rule, so always best to consult your own doctors.

If you are generally in good health with no other contraindications and the infection is reasonably mild then could be fine to continue. However, if you are in fragile medical health or older, and the infection is severe then probably not. In between the two extremes there are many variations.

And yes, fatigue and exhaustion is generally a symptom of the disease.

[Strayleaves in reply to helixhelix]

Hi helixhelix ,

Thank you for your answer. I will see how I am tomorrow , hopefully will feel better and can take methotrexate.

Take care

[ruth_p]

I've never been told to stop the mtx while on antibiotics however if you are taking antibiotics then you shouldn't inject the humira. If you are unsure then I would ring your gp surgery for advice. If you aren't on antibiotics then take it as normal. The fatigue is generally caused by the RA, especially if it is not controlled by your medication. I am guessing the humira isn't working properly or you wouldn't be switching to Enbrel.

[sylvi]

The rule regarding infections and antibiotics is while taking them is to stop the mtx,once the drugs are finished you can take mtx. Fatigue is ra and depending if you just have RA or other diseases the ra will cause fatigue.xxxxx

[Strayleaves in reply to sylvi]

Hi Sylvi

Thanks for the reply. As far as I know , I just have RA ( of course that's bad enough), I am amazed though how many people that have RA , also have other autoimmune diseases as well.

I have wondered , like this am when i was in bed , the outer muscles of my upper legs were sore .again.... I do wonder is that still RA ?

How is your bright pink nail polish going ? 💅 I love pink nail polish .....the brighter the better 😁

Hope u are pain free ATM

Karen xx

[sylvi in reply to Strayleaves]

Karen,i have RA/fibro and chronic fatigue as well as a compressed disc which i am waiting surgery hopefully next month. I am also going to have surgery on hammer toes,but that won't be until after the back surgery. I get my legs wobble(i can't think of the proper word) when i am in bed at night.

My nails are all colours of pink darling,my body may be letting me down,but at least my nails and hair will be fabulous. lol.xxxxxx

[Strayleaves in reply to sylvi]

Hi Sylvi

Sorry to hear u have all that to contend with .

I have a couple of compression fractures in spine , and back discomfort can be pretty darn uncomfortable.....what sort of surgery are they doing ?

Personally I cant imagine what chronic fatigue plus RA fatigue , would feel like ... RA is bad enough on its own.

do you ever feel like your friends or people you know just don't understand (and maybe don't even try to )? ie in regards to all your health issues .

Ps would take a photo but I've removed it .....have brand new , very glittery , gold coloured nail polish !

Looked pretty cool!!!! I'm sure you'd like 😃

Xxxx

[sylvi in reply to Strayleaves]

How is this for fatigue then darling,i have only watered a the tomatoes and the baskets and taken a few photos of the flowers in my garden and i am exhausted and sweating like a pig.Now i have to sit down with the fan on me in an effort to cool down.

People say to me when they see how great i look and i say yes thank you,but you don't see me when i am not great as i stay home which seems to be a lot of the time these days. Take another photo of all your nails and post them on here or f/book which i am on.Talking of f/book it is a lifeline for me and i can talk to people all over the world and these are the people who keep me going when times are tough. How can people understand unless they are in it,i wish they could even if it was only for a day,then they might have a better understanding and instead of saying you look great say it is great to see you out and about.xxxxx

[Strayleaves in reply to sylvi]

Hi Sylvi

Have repainted nails , so next time will take a photo and send. Sorry to hear , of your exhaustion .....that is bad fatigue. I hope you aren't in too much pain with it as well. Home grown tomotoes , yum !!

My husbands friend came for a visit over two days. I was annoyed with him, but I shouldn't of been ( I didnt show my annoyance). He never asked how are you? , not that I wanted or needed him too ....the thing that I didn't like was the fact he kept telling me how good I looked and how happy I must be that I'm not in the really bad pain anymore (when I was diagnosed and then started treatment). He must of said it five times! I don't like feeling like a winger or people thinking I'm a "hypochondriac". Anyway ...off track there , sorry .

I have heard your having warm weather lately..... it's jumper weather here at present.

have a lovely day , stay cool , and rest ....

Karen xxxx

[Strayleaves in reply to sylvi]

Hi

Sorry, meant to ask ...

How do they diagnose fibromyalgia?

Karen

[sylvi in reply to Strayleaves]

They go by what you tell them first on how your day has been and what is the worst you feel. They then poke and prod your body at the pressure points to find out how sensitive you are. A lot of people find it difficult to even get out of bed because of the pain. I find lying fairly flat helps me that why i am always in bed early or on the bed. Sleep is another indicator as well,on the whole we don't sleep very well.xxxx

[Strayleaves]

Hi thanks for your reply Ruth_p

Not on antibiotics, came down with this last night.

Humira was working , but just seemed to suddenly not be working as good as it was ....I hope my dr isn't rushing in too soon to switch to Enbrel ?!?! Just thought of that .....

Thanks

Karen

[Matilda_1922]

I have always taken Mxt as you may come out with a cold a day after. This is on the guidance of my Rhuematology specialist.

You need to contact your Rhuematology specialist tomorrow as they are looking after you.

Hope you feel better soon x

[Strayleaves in reply to Matilda_1922]

Thanks for the reply ,

Much appreciated.

Xx

[Lyneal]

I am told by my RA nurse to stop Methotrexate a soon as I get a cold, cough or any type of virus, then resume when it's gone. Hope you feel better soon. Tiredness is part of RA.

[Lyneal in reply to Lyneal]

Hello all, I am lucky enough to be an RA patient at the world famous Rober Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic hospital Oswestry, the RA dept is first class. They always say stop Methotrexate when any illness starts. Hope this helps.

[Strayleaves in reply to Lyneal]

Thanks for the reply .

Much appreciated. Yes I'm figuring the fatigue is more the RA .

Thanks again

Karen