Nasty rash (Methotrexate?)

[Shellydan]

Hi I’m on Methotrexate and this is my 9th week and all of a sudden after 2 days of having my steroid injection top up and I am covered in a nasty rash which has now become a mass from my hips down my thighs down to my calf muscles now there’s a little rash appearing on my arms and tummy I’ve been to the hospital and they’ve ruled out any infection in my bloods but my neutrophils are slightly raised the hospital said they THINK it My be my Methotrexate that’s caused the rash it’s extremely itchy and very sore is there anyone out there that’s had a problem like this and if so Can you give me any help as this is extremely uncomfortable and I can’t get through to my RA nurse until Tuesday as it’s the Bank holiday this weekend 😔

[Mmrr]

I wouldn't take any more methotrexate until you speak to your rheumy nurse. In the meantime keeping the rash cool should help take the itch out of it - a cool shower, or a cool damp cloth on the rash, ice packs etc and drink plenty clear fluids. Take care.

[Shellydan in reply to Mmrr]

Thanks but the hospital told me to continue the medication until I see the RA nurse Tuesday so I’ve only taken half the dose and I’ve upt my antihistamine to 3 a day a told by the hospital doctor😔 this is not working and I’m practically living in the shower and cold packs but my joints have become so stiff if this gets any worse I’ll be up the hospital again my partner said 😳

[Mmrr in reply to Shellydan]

Sensible to revisit the hospital if things don't settle.

[Shellydan in reply to Mmrr]

Already did they said see my RA nurse. They weren’t very helpful at all

[Shellydan in reply to Mmrr]

I finally found out the cause of my over powering rash it was the Steroid injection not the actual steroid itself but the carrier that carries the steroid through your system the RA doctor put me on a month of steroid tablets for a month and I’ve been using some calamine lotion with zinc and this all together is clearing it up finally yay! Starting to feel a bit better now I can see it fading thank you to all that tried to help much appreciated 😁

[Shellydan in reply to Shellydan]

I finally found out the cause of my over powering rash it was the Steroid injection not the actual steroid itself but the carrier that carries the steroid through your system the RA doctor put me on a month of steroid tablets for a month and I’ve been using some calamine lotion with zinc and this all together is clearing it up finally yay! Starting to feel a bit better now I can see it fading thank you to all that tried to help much appreciated 😁

[SoulmanPaul]

Did the hospital rule out an allergic reaction? Personally I'd stop Mtx til this is sorted. If you've got anything like Piriton or any other anti histamine I'd take one and see if the rash improves.

Best wishes

Paul

[Shellydan in reply to SoulmanPaul]

They said it probably is the the mtx but told me to continue it as I’m seeing my RA nurse on Tues 😔

[Shellydan in reply to SoulmanPaul]

I finally found out the cause of my over powering rash it was the Steroid injection not the actual steroid itself but the carrier that carries the steroid through your system the RA doctor put me on a month of steroid tablets for a month and I’ve been using some calamine lotion with zinc and this all together is clearing it up finally yay! Starting to feel a bit better now I can see it fading thank you to all that tried to help much appreciated 😁

[Debbie100]

If they said it's the mtx, why are you continuing it? I wud stop.

[Debbie100]

I wud stop if they think it's the mtx.

[Shellydan in reply to Debbie100]

The hospital told me to continue the medication as I’m booked in to see the RA nurse on Tuesday but I’ve reduced it by half

[Shellydan in reply to Debbie100]

I finally found out the cause of my over powering rash it was the Steroid injection not the actual steroid itself but the carrier that carries the steroid through your system the RA doctor put me on a month of steroid tablets for a month and I’ve been using some calamine lotion with zinc and this all together is clearing it up finally yay! Starting to feel a bit better now I can see it fading thank you to all that tried to help much appreciated 😁

[helixhelix]

It could equally be the steroids. It's quite common to get a steroid rash or erythroderma after a course of steroids. Missing a week of MTX doesn't make much of a difference to my RA, so that's an option.

Hope you get through to the nurse first thing on Tuesday!

[Shellydan in reply to helixhelix]

Thanks for info I’ve been reading up and think you could be right I think it is the steroid injection as the rash came up a couple of days after I’m seeing the RA on Tuesday so I’ll bring this up too thanks for your help

[Shellydan in reply to helixhelix]

I finally found out the cause of my over powering rash it was the Steroid injection not the actual steroid itself but the carrier that carries the steroid through your system the RA doctor put me on a month of steroid tablets for a month and I’ve been using some calamine lotion with zinc and this all together is clearing it up finally yay! Starting to feel a bit better now I can see it fading thank you to all that tried to help much appreciated 😁

[Joharris]

My rash on tummy after taking Methotrexate for 11weeks was shingles.

[Shellydan in reply to Joharris]

Mines definitely not Shingles as it’s 98% just on the thighs

[Shellydan in reply to Joharris]

I finally found out the cause of my over powering rash it was the Steroid injection not the actual steroid itself but the carrier that carries the steroid through your system the RA doctor put me on a month of steroid tablets for a month and I’ve been using some calamine lotion with zinc and this all together is clearing it up finally yay! Starting to feel a bit better now I can see it fading thank you to all that tried to help much appreciated 😁

[summer32]

Try some topical eurax or calamine cream or aloe Vera if you can get some, as well as the anti histamine, you do not say which anti histamine you have tried, but. Puriton aka chlorophenamine is the best for rashes, allergies,

[Shellydan in reply to summer32]

I’m now using calamine lotion it seems to ease it for an hour or so but then it starts itching again so I put more on

[Shellydan in reply to summer32]

I finally found out the cause of my over powering rash it was the Steroid injection not the actual steroid itself but the carrier that carries the steroid through your system the RA doctor put me on a month of steroid tablets for a month and I’ve been using some calamine lotion with zinc and this all together is clearing it up finally yay! Starting to feel a bit better now I can see it fading thank you to all that tried to help much appreciated 😁

[AgedCrone]

When you see your rheumy nurse....unless you feel she really knows what is causing your rash- ask for an urgent referral to a Dermatologist. I too have had a nasty rash since January......but it doesn't hurt or itch......so I have just let it take its course in the hope it would go away.....thankfully it's only on my torso ...from neck to thigh......it looks like a strawberry mark has exploded....irregular blotches from pinprick size to large 3-4" blotches it isn't scaly & no blisters.

I'm on RTX & my (usually excellent) rheumy thought it was some sort of Dermatitis.....but said to see Dermatologist if it didn't settle.

I saw the Dermatologist last week & he thinks it might be drug induced Lupus. I am horrified.....even after 20 years I didn't realise how much Dermatologists are involved with RA . The Consultant I saw said they use Mtx a lot in Dermatology.

I'm scheduled to have a biopsy....which will decide if I do have DIL, but apparently it will only confirm it is "a drug induced Lupus" but not which drug is causing it.......so presumably I then have to stop each drug I'm taking in turn see which one might be the culprit. Thankfully I only take three prescription drugs....

I do hope you get some relief soon....it really gets you down when you see physical evidence like a nasty outbreak.

[Gnarli in reply to AgedCrone]

Oh but that sounds nasty AC. I do hope they find the cause and a treatment for it very soon. Hugs

J

[AgedCrone in reply to Gnarli]

Thank you..... I have decided to take my BP pill (Amlodipine) every other day (monitoring BP every8 hrs) as it is on the list of possible culprits ....I may be imagining it.......but this morning the rash does seem paler & not so angry, but of course that may mess up the biopsy- so will take it tomorrow & Tuesday.

These AI diseases suck!

[Gnarli in reply to AgedCrone]

Indeed they do

[Shellydan in reply to Gnarli]

I finally found out the cause of my over powering rash it was the Steroid injection not the actual steroid itself but the carrier that carries the steroid through your system the RA doctor put me on a month of steroid tablets for a month and I’ve been using some calamine lotion with zinc and this all together is clearing it up finally yay! Starting to feel a bit better now I can see it fading thank you to all that tried to help much appreciated 😁

[marie66 in reply to AgedCrone]

Hi I too saw dermatologist for rash skin discolouration... diagnosis was posted inflammatory pigmentation. Ithe came up when I mixed leflunomide and Methotrexate. Still using creams and potions 6 months on. M x

[AgedCrone in reply to marie66]

Crikey...I will not be a happy bunny if my rash lasts 6 months!

I only take RTX infusions for my RA .......I have never been prescribed more than one Dmard at a time.

My Dermatologist doesn't think RTX is the problem, which only leaves my BP meds, a Statin or Lanzaprazole- all of which are listed on the Lupus site as likely to cause DIL.

Guess time will tell? Hope your potions work their magic soon.

[marie66 in reply to AgedCrone]

It's not Ramipril for BP by any chance? I went on that around the same time too. Curious! M x

[AgedCrone in reply to marie66]

No ...Amlodipine...I've been on it for over 10 years...so why it should kick off now I don't know. Of course it may be combining it with RTX for 18 months may have triggered something.

I'll soon find out I hope!

I'm watching Good Karma Hospital & although I haven't timed it, I'm sure the ads are longer than the Programme....really irritating!

[Shellydan in reply to marie66]

I finally found out the cause of my over powering rash it was the Steroid injection not the actual steroid itself but the carrier that carries the steroid through your system the RA doctor put me on a month of steroid tablets for a month and I’ve been using some calamine lotion with zinc and this all together is clearing it up finally yay! Starting to feel a bit better now I can see it fading thank you to all that tried to help much appreciated 😁

[Shellydan in reply to AgedCrone]

I finally found out the cause of my over powering rash it was the Steroid injection not the actual steroid itself but the carrier that carries the steroid through your system the RA doctor put me on a month of steroid tablets for a month and I’ve been using some calamine lotion with zinc and this all together is clearing it up finally yay! Starting to feel a bit better now I can see it fading thank you to all that tried to help much appreciated 😁

[Nikma]

How big is your dose of Methotrexate?

[Shellydan in reply to Nikma]

I have to take 8 small tablets but I only taken 4 until I speak to my RA Nurse

[Shellydan in reply to Nikma]

I finally found out the cause of my over powering rash it was the Steroid injection not the actual steroid itself but the carrier that carries the steroid through your system the RA doctor put me on a month of steroid tablets for a month and I’ve been using some calamine lotion with zinc and this all together is clearing it up finally yay! Starting to feel a bit better now I can see it fading thank you to all that tried to help much appreciated 😁

[anglia]

Hi. I still have a rash more like spots now after ten years of methotrexate also used to get bad flu like symptoms but not now and mouth ulcers s rash is mainly on backside I found cockonut oil helped saw a dermatologist at hospital gave me some cream but itches worseijust put up with it or all I take is 20mg injections now W good thing the oil cured my athlets foothope you get sorted

[Shellydan in reply to anglia]

I finally found out the cause of my over powering rash it was the Steroid injection not the actual steroid itself but the carrier that carries the steroid through your system the RA doctor put me on a month of steroid tablets for a month and I’ve been using some calamine lotion with zinc and this all together is clearing it up finally yay! Starting to feel a bit better now I can see it fading thank you to all that tried to help much appreciated 😁

[Pamelah5]

The only thing I can think is calamine lotion which will smooth any itching

Wishing you well

Pamela xx

[Shellydan in reply to Pamelah5]

I finally found out the cause of my over powering rash it was the Steroid injection not the actual steroid itself but the carrier that carries the steroid through your system the RA doctor put me on a month of steroid tablets for a month and I’ve been using some calamine lotion with zinc and this all together is clearing it up finally yay! Starting to feel a bit better now I can see it fading thank you to all that tried to help much appreciated 😁

[Pamelah5]

Just wondering whether you might have Shingles?

Reason I ask, a friend has just come out in a rash diagnosed as Shingles - is only a thought!

Best wishes Pamela xx

[Nettac]

Oh. Just seen this after putting up a post myself on a rash. I have a bumpy, slightly hot feeling rash on my face. I take methotrexate. But I guess it could be anything.

[Shellydan in reply to Nettac]

I’m not sure as mines not on my face 🤞please look after yourself and try some camomile lotion it’s helps soothe it for a while but you will need to keep applying it. All the best and tack care x

[Shellydan in reply to Nettac]

I finally found out the cause of my over powering rash it was the Steroid injection not the actual steroid itself but the carrier that carries the steroid through your system the RA doctor put me on a month of steroid tablets for a month and I’ve been using some calamine lotion with zinc and this all together is clearing it up finally yay! Starting to feel a bit better now I can see it fading thank you to all that tried to help much appreciated 😁

[AgedCrone in reply to Shellydan]

Did you post this many times or has my system gone crazy? It is every other post!

[Shellydan]

Mines definitely not shingles it was spots first then amalgamated into huge patches and is stinging and warm to the touch but Doctors said it’s not contagious they said it’s more likely the Methotrexate but looking at some of the reply’s now I’m sure it was the steroid injection I had prior to me getting this so I shall speak to my RA Nurse on Tuesday and demanding to see a RA Doctor and I will not leave until I do I shall keep you all posted of any changes between now and then and when I finally see my RA Team x

[Chrissycl]

I find lavender essential oil mixed in with my antihistamine cream works better than the cream on its own or just the lavender in a carrier oil works too an I have been know to just use the lavender undiluted without any problem

[Shellydan in reply to Chrissycl]

I finally found out the cause of my over powering rash it was the Steroid injection not the actual steroid itself but the carrier that carries the steroid through your system the RA doctor put me on a month of steroid tablets for a month and I’ve been using some calamine lotion with zinc and this all together is clearing it up finally yay! Starting to feel a bit better now I can see it fading thank you to all that tried to help much appreciated 😁

[Shellydan]

I finally found out the cause of my over powering rash it was the Steroid injection not the actual steroid itself but the carrier that carries the steroid through your system the RA doctor put me on a month of steroid tablets for a month and I’ve been using some calamine lotion with zinc and this all together is clearing it up finally yay! Starting to feel a bit better now I can see it fading thank you to all that tried to help much appreciated 😁

[EdieB]

Hi Shellydan. I too have a rash but i had this rash for over 2 years now. They call it skin writing because the rash comes out when I scratch. I feel like I have a thousand spiders crawling inside of me. Im not sure if its from the antiphospholipid immune disease or just from the RA. I have noticed that it has increased in frequency since I started on methotrexate. I do take hydroxcozene for it and that seems to give me relief. I hope you get some answers as to why you are getting this rash. Isn't RA so much fun Ugh

[Shellydan in reply to EdieB]

It was the carrier that they put in the steroid injection that I took an allergic reaction too I had a steroid injection when they found out that I had RA but I wasn’t on the methotrexate at that point but when they gave me my second steroid injection that’s when the rash went crazy it’s completely clear now as I’m on oral “steroid tablets” to remove the allergic reaction “weird I know” but they are working so they have said for definite that it’s the carrier that helps the steroid prednisone enter the bloods that I took allergic reaction so I can’t now have any more steroid injections whilst I’m on the methotrexate 🙄 hope you get some help with your irritation rash maybe the steroid tablets may help you too? All the Best Shelly

[Shellydan in reply to EdieB]

My RA Doctor has told me to stay on the prednisone tablets for another month it has cleared the rash completely but they say it’s just to be on the safe side but instead of 15mg a day now that I’m to cut down to 10mg a day for a week then down to 5mg a day until I see them in June 🤔

[EdieB]

I went to my Rheumatologist yesterday. Besides a number of other side effects and the rash and the fact that the methotrexate is not really helped, he took me off of it. I need to be off everything for a month to see if everything clears up and then he will decide what to put me on next...2 down how many more meds to go. He also drained water out of my right knee and gave me a steroid shot. I had a nerve block on the left knee. Yikes! I just want to be pain free (haha) not exhausted and to be able to sleep among other things!

[Shellydan in reply to EdieB]

Have they not done any allergy tests on your bloods or have they even bothered to send you to a dermatologist? You shouldn’t be having all these problems sometimes life really sucks 🤔 Hope you get some clear answers soon take care of yourself because if you don’t who will? X

[EdieB]

The dermatologist was the one that started the process of finding out if I had RA. He sent me to an allergist that did allergy tests who then sent me to the Rheumatologist. I have been tested for just about everything and the RA seems to be the winner although I’m beginning to wonder about Lupus too since I was told I was on “the spectrum”. My fingers and toes turn white when it’s cold the rash is on my face too. The bridge of my nose.

Will just have to keep plugging away!