Methotrexate and flu

[Ginger46]

Not saying I've got flu but I've felt so rotten in the last week, I had to stop MTX last week due to my high liver levels again but am I right in thinking this medication can make you so much more susceptible to fly and cold strains. I had flu a long time ago and it knocked me off my feet literally and that was without MTX, I've been getting these awful flushes though and it's not the menopause, that was done for a long time ago. I think it's finally on it's way out now, still not finally recovered but hopefully soon, well my husband finally got his own back after the many times I blessed him with "a cold" haha xxxx

[helixhelix]

Methotrexate doesn't really make a huge difference. It compromises your immune system but doesn't suppress it, and has much less effect than biologics. In the 8 years I've been on it I've actually had fewer colds, coughs and bugs than my OH - which he resents! We both got the norovirus a while back and I recovered more quickly than he did.

Of course it also depends on your general health - if you have other medical conditions, or are frail and malnourished. But even so not a drug to take lightly, so i hope you've had your pneumococcal vaccine and get annual flu jabs.

[Ginger46 in reply to helixhelix]

Compromised, that's the word I was after, I think it's just a really heavy cold I've had but horrid nonetheless. I had the pneumococcal and flu vaccinations, I always make sure I get that and get my husband to get his too xx

[SoulmanPaul]

Hi Ginger. Methotrexate lowers your immunity so you will be more prone to infections I'm afraid. You should have been advised to have an annual Flu jab, also a one off Pneumo jab. There's nothing much you can do about colds but if you do get Flu or any infections that need anti biotics then stopping Mtx for the duration is usually advised.

Paul

[Ginger46 in reply to SoulmanPaul]

Thanks Paul, pneumo and flu all up to date thankfully, this has just knocked me back a bit, with luck it'll be gone soon 😊

[LyndaKenny]

I was told methotrexate made you more susceptible to flu etc but after being on it a year now I can honestly say that hasnt happened to me (yet) I did have the flu jab and the one for pneumonia too. If I am travelling I take a booster C sachet that builds me up so I dont catch those bugs on a flight. I also take daily vitamins. So wether that helps me I dont know. I still have flare ups in my hands now and then but generally I feel good.

[Ginger46]

Thanks I'll look into those sachets for future use, I used to get recurrent UTI's when I took MTX a few years ago which made me doubt taking it again but my Rheumatologist finally persuaded me to try again. Anyway off them at the moment and I'll see what happens next week when I see the RA nurse 😀

[snis]

Poor you I had pneumonia twice due to Methotrexate !!Take care x

[Ginger46]

Thankyou I'll be fine, just knocked me back a bit, pneumonia though, different kettle of fish altogether, you take care too xx