Shortness of breath

[Tintoy43_]

I have been on MTX now for a month. I am starting to become short of breath. It's not real bad but I'm not accustomed to it. Is this something I need to go to the ER for now? Can I wait to call Doc Monday?

Somebody please tell me!!!!!!!

[helixhelix]

You should certainly go see your doctor on Monday. Whether you need to go to ER now is hard for us to say, so you need to work out whether you think it's critical or not. If you are in the U.K. you could phone 111 to discuss with a nurse. NOt sure if there's an equivalent in the US.

[Tintoy43_ in reply to helixhelix]

No we don't have the nurse 111 here. I don't think it's an er visit yet. It was alarming and something I'm not used to. I am going for blood work tomorrow so I will try and get my Regular doctor. I live in the country so my blood work and general practice Dr are in one town and my Rheumy in another.

Thanks for responding double helix (snail)

[Fra22-57]

I found when I was on methotrexate it made my breathing different.Some say it effects your lungs but so can the disease itself so unsure.

I would ring your specialist rheumy doctor clinic monday thou for guidance as I know it can be frightening. I am not on it now but get breathless when dressing etc

[Tintoy43_ in reply to Fra22-57]

Ok I will. Thank you for responding. I'm scared!!! Yes I am!!!!

[Hopeful1]

Arthritis Research UK leaflet given to me by RA Clinic in UK says " you should tell your doctor or nurse specialist straight away if you develop any of the following on methotrexate : ... shortness of breath . arthritisresearchuk.org/art...

As this is advice from a well respected source you could not be criticised for following it - I would myself follow the "better safe than sorry " route.

Hope it is nothing and you feel better already , but good luck anyway.

[Tintoy43_ in reply to Hopeful1]

Ok I went to your link which was informative. I will be Looking thru folder for emergency numbers. Thank you for responding.

[Matilda_1922]

You need to see your doctor or seek advice from your rheumatology unit.

MXT can cause this

[Tintoy43_ in reply to Matilda_1922]

Ok I will

Thank you so much

Have a great holiday

[Preacherman in reply to Matilda_1922]

This is totally true. There is such a thing as called, “Methotrexate Lung Disease”, and there is also such a thing as called “Rheumatoid Lung Disease. Googgle it and check it out if you like.

But please do not worry, you are getting fantastic advice from the folks on this forum. See if you can get a “Lung Function Test”. You may have to stop the Methotrexate for a period of time and seriously that might not even be the problem. Go see your doctor just as soon as possible and hopefully he or she will send you to a “Lung Specialist “. I thought I had the same problem and it turned out to be other things and the Lung Specialist really helped a lot, my lung capacity actually increased by like 25% in about 2 months time, thru medicine and excerise.

Keep Looking Up!!!

Blessings,

Brian

[Tintoy43_ in reply to Preacherman]

Thank you for sharing Brian!!! I plan to join a swim club in December just haven't felt like it lately.

Happy Thanksgiving

[Twitty999 in reply to Preacherman]

Yes Preacherman...not many people have heard of Rheumatoid lung. But I have it "Bronchiectasis", where the inflammation went to my lungs...the only real problem with it I am prone to lots of chest infections...it wasnt until I had sero-positive rheumatoid diagnosed that they realised what caused the lung damage...think thats why they do a lung function test on diagnosis...

best wishes

Tricia

[Joy_1]

Hi

I have lung involvement (mild) with my RA and I am on MTX.

I was told on day 1 that if I developed a persistent dry cough that I was to stop taking the MTX and fast track to the GP and get a chest x-ray.

2 years down the road and fingers crossed the MTX is working and I have not developed a dry persistent cough. I asked my Consultant a wee while ago if the risks are now reduced since I have been taking it for a while now and he said yes. He said if it is going to cause lung issues then it is more likely to do so in the early days of taking MTX.

So if I were in your boat I would certainly see my GP on Monday and not wait any longer and I would not take my MTX again until I had the all clear.

Hope it all goes well.

Joy

[Tintoy43_ in reply to Joy_1]

Thanks Joy I will call first thing in morning. Thanks

I really am scared 😳 I guess it's because I still don't know what to expect or do. I'm trying and you guys are my best source right now.

Thanks Sheri

[Joy_1 in reply to Tintoy43_]

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you Sheri.

If there is an issue then come back to me. I'll tell you about how I swam to take my lung function back to normal. My Consultant was astonished she said we have never seen anyone do this before.

[Tintoy43_ in reply to Joy_1]

Ok hope to have answers today Joy

Thanks so much

[Tintoy43_ in reply to Joy_1]

So all tests the GP ran came back normal ekg, lung X-ray check for blood clots blood work all fine. Mentioned plaquenel. I see her next week.

Thank you

[Gameo]

I have said this a few times before all the replies make sense and it is good advice but one thing you must insist on is a lung function test now and another after six months to see if your breathing has got any worse. I know this from bitter experience l was on mext for fourteen months before l was taken off of it. They say it affects a small number well last week l was told the truth that l had been on it for to long l now am on oxygen for sixteen hours per day my organs have started to pack up one at a time this has happened twice now the last time was two months ago when l was rushed to hospital. In the evening a doctor spoke to my wife and told her they could do no more as all of my organs were shutting down l very sorry for being morbid but it is not to late for you to get all of the correct checks down don’t be one of the small minority that gets this good luck for the future you can beat this

[Hobbledehoy in reply to Gameo]

YOU POOR THING! I am so sorry you have been affected like this, it's terrible. I pray that some hope is found for you. Best possible wishes, and God bless. x

[Tintoy43_ in reply to Gameo]

Ok thanks for being up front with me!! I'm sorry you had to speak from experience

[Simba1992 in reply to Gameo]

I think perhaps this is something mtx users should be vigilant about especially as I have also read that lung specialists worry that rheumies do not take lung symptoms seriously enough. So sorry you had to experience this. Simba

[GranAmie]

go to gp or phone you rheumatologist to be sure; they'll send u 4 xray / scans

[GranAmie]

if they don't send , ask for these and function tests too; this happened 2me and mtx w/drawn - but i got my lung function back up from 75% to 95% by swimming, singing, so don't panic - best of luck x

[Gameo]

If it’s helped by singing then stand back Sinatra gameo in town great feedback if it helps then l will do it

[linda-5502]

I had exactly the same and had to stop it. I contacted thr rheumy dept and they told me to stop.

Have had the same on Humira good luck xx