Is Methatrexate killing me

[Scotthejock]

Sure lungs asthma symptoms antibiotics 10 times a year last 3 years, been on methotrexate for 12 years ,rheumatoid for 30 years the inflammation is fine but is the side effect outweighting the pain .Shortness of breath just now 😮

[wishbone]

I think you need to have a serious talk with your rheumatologist.

I have RA related lung disease. One of the first things my chest consultant advised me to do was stop methotrexate. It wasn't the cause of my particular lung condition, but he said it can cause lung issues of its own which could make it difficult to monitor my particular disease.

I repeat - go see your rheumatologist as there are other RA meds out there that might suit you better.

[Scotthejock in reply to wishbone]

Thanks I'm at my wits end coughing and spluttering all the time .

[James53]

I agree with wishbone. Urgently speak to Rheumy.

Methotrexate caused lung damage whilst I was on it. Once Rheumy saw how things were going he stopped it pronto.

Many other meds’ that can be used.

Don’t muck about - your health is too important

[Scotthejock in reply to James53]

Thanks very much here is hoping it's the drug as I seem to never get relief from my chest 👍

[James53 in reply to Scotthejock]

Can I ask which hospital is your Rheumy team at?

[Scotthejock in reply to James53]

Monklands hospital Airdrie Scotland .I feel now reading posts I have been left out to dry .I get 10 minutes onced a year any time i go to.my Doctors i get steriods and antibiotics i feel within my self their is something else going on ..

[James53 in reply to Scotthejock]

Sorry don’t know the Monklands set up.

I attend Forth Valley Hospital. Great Rheumy team there. I see Rheumy twice a year -at least 30/45 min each time. Plus back up specialist Rheumy nurses. If unhappy ask GP to refer to another area. You deserve better

[Scotthejock in reply to James53]

see him in the 9th my reumatoid is great I have no flare ups little pain but I'm sitting here the now wheezing away and trying to clear chest .Hope it goes if I stop .ps wasn't much else out there 12 years ago is the drugs improve ..

[James53 in reply to Scotthejock]

Cheers hope they find solution to your chest problem soon

[Joy_1]

I have RA that has also gone for my lungs.

I am on MTX and was told that if I developed a persistent dry cough and or shortness of breath I was to stop the MTX immediately, go to my GP and get a chest x-ray.

My Rheumatologist told me that MTX increases your chance of lung damage by approx 2.5%. When he gave me all the info he was very insistent of the course of action I needed to take.

[wishbone in reply to Joy_1]

That's interesting. Maybe it depends on what sort of lung damage/disease someone has, or how bad it is, as to whether their rheumatologist stops mtx or not. I've already had two CT scans on my lungs so seems as if my problem is a bit more serious. That said, there's been no further deterioration since the damage was discovered 18 months ago. In fact my last lung function test showed a slight improvement over the previous one. My next, and hopefully last appointment with my chest consultant is next June. He seemed quite optimistic during my last appointment and said that if there's no further deterioration by then, he won't want to see me again. Keeping my fingers crossed for that one!..............

Correction to the above.....the two CT scans were to monitor a RA related lung nodule that I also have, and not the scarring, which has been monitored by the lung function tests. They are quite happy with the nodule so it requires no further action.

[Scotthejock in reply to Joy_1]

Mate did you get asthma ?I have been getting treated for asthma past 3 years .On methatrexate 12 years.Wondering if I stop will chest will get better 😣i was a smoker 25 years ago but I feel if I have as lung blockage all the time always coughing 👍

[wishbone in reply to Scotthejock]

No asthma. The first I knew that I had a problem was after a routine x-ray to start methotrexate. Looking back though, a couple of months earlier I did have a nasty chest/cough lasting several weeks. So that may well have been the start of things. In my case the chest clinic seem more concerned about shortness of breath rather than a cough, which I do have with resulting phlegm, but it ain't too bad, same goes for my shortness of breath...and long may it stay like that! That said, a persistent cough obviously needs investigating sooner rather than later. I never realised that I was a little breathless because I was going through a seriously bad patch with my RA at the time and was more or less housebound, so was unable to exert myself for several months. I was left with a bit of a cough though and should have seen about it earlier.

As nomoreheels says, if you feel rheumy helpline are dragging their feet then bypass them and contact the secretary, as I have done on a couple of occasions. Sometimes a GP can get things moving pretty quickly, but yours sounds like a complete waste of time!...and there I was thinking that my GP wasn't the best!

Try not to worry too much, though a chronic chest condition is not a good thing to have, some are less serious than others.

[Scotthejock in reply to wishbone]

Thanks 👍

[nomoreheels]

I'd want to know why this hadn't been picked up by someone, anyone. So many courses of antibiotics, it's crazy mad. Has your GP not connected that your lungs are something MTX can affect, no lung function tests, no chest X-ray? First thing Monday contact your Rheumy via the helpline, or even his secretary, request you're seen as soon as possible, bypass your Rheumy unless he can get you in for an X-ray urgently.

[Scotthejock in reply to nomoreheels]

have been getting treated for asthma past 3 years .On methatrexate seen all diffrent doctors quick with the pen, antibiotics ..Wondering if I stop will chestt get better 😣I have accepted I have asthma but I never get relief coughing all the time .

[Scotthejock]

Contacted them said to stop untill my next appointment I'm on steroid inhalers now I just accepted that I have asthma but with asthma sufferers I feel I get no relief 👍on antibiotics again cannit breath .

[Kai--]

.

Don't know if these supplemental research references/ resources will interest you , Scotthejock (in case you've not already seen them):

🗣💨 DMARD Infographic: Methotrexate (MTX), Leflunomide (LEF), Sulphasalazine (SSP), Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ): healthunlocked.com/cure-art...

🗣💨 Any LUNG DISEASED Heard Of Rheumatoid Lung.: healthunlocked.com/blf/post.... [ orchidcass77 references may be of interest.]

🗣💨 Can I Avoid RA Drugs or Should I Go On Drugs? 'Paddison Program' FAQ Opinion; Also: Methotrexate Explanation & References: healthunlocked.com/nras/pos...

.

Wishing you the very best, STJ. 🙏 🌺 🍀 🌞

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Oh, the BLF (British Lung Foundation 🎈) forum is another wonderful resource for lung & lung-related issues 😗💨 : healthunlocked.com/blf

Breathe easy 🌬, dear man. 😌 🙏

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[Scotthejock in reply to Kai--]

Thanks 👍