Holiday infection

[Saesae]

Hi all, back again looking for some advice.

I am currently on holiday in Australia, just at the end of week two.

I am on 600mg of sulphasalazine a day, 17.5mg of methotrexate a week, then naproxen and folic acid as required.

I have only been on methotrexate for about 4 months now.

On arrival in oz 2 weeks ago I developed a sore throat, which quickly became a heavy cold. I put this down to bugs caught on flight. The cold symptoms are still hanging around, and I have also developed a bad cough and an eye infection. So have cough mixture and eye drops from chemist. When talking to the pharmacist she said my symptoms may be caused by the methotrexate as opposed to a cold virus.

I wonder does anybody have experience of this, or is it just a case of the medication I am on leaving me more susceptible to catching an infection, I would like to try and avoid going to a gphl here if possible, but this cough is wearing me down?

Thanks in advance

[oldtimer]

Sometimes a cough can be associated with methotrexate medication, or with Rheumatoid Disease itself as the autoimmune process doesn't confine itself to the joints!

But it sounds much more likely (common things occur commonly...) that you have picked up an infection while in close contact with people with different bugs from the ones you are used to. Happens a lot when you travel unfortunately, especially with our supressed immune systems.

Hope you get better soon!

[Hidden]

Hi Saesae, I’m delighted to hear that you’re visiting my lovely country

Due to some MTX overdoses that happened, which resulted in illness and, unfortunately death, our Pharmacists are very well educated, and sensitive to MTX, and it’s possible consequences.

Good advice from #OldTimer, I would add use the OTC medication you bought and keep an eye on your symptoms. If they don’t improve in the expected time, or get worse, then go to a Public Hospital Casualty (equivalent of the UK Emergency A&E). I hope you have some sort of insurance, I’m not sure what the relationship between our system and yours maybe.

It’s most likely to be a “caught it whilst flying” type issue, and the RA medication might just be making it harder to overcome. I hope my info is of benefit, if your “watch and see” takes too long, cheers Deb

[Saesae in reply to Hidden]

Hey, your country really is beautiful, I have had an amazing time so far, other than the icky infection I have picked up. Thank you for your advice and information, the rationale side of me completely concurs with the 'caught whilst flying' the slightly irrational hypochondriac side is not so sensible

[nomoreheels]

Sorry you have a cold on your hols, rotten luck. Well, not sure I agree with the Pharmacist from a MTX users point of view. The reason we have a chest x-ray before starting MTX is because it can affect the lungs, maybe that's what she meant. It could be you're more susceptible to catching a cold, particularly when you're in close proximity to goodness knows how many people on a flight who may be harbouring nasties, different from the ones you've been exposed to before but not that it's a type of side effect. I've never felt like that from MTX in 9 years of taking it, 8 of them injecting & to be honest I'm not sure I've had more colds on MTX than before starting it.

If a cold goes on my chest I don't usually inject my MTX until it's cleared, usually my GP gives me antibiotics but I do even if they're not needed. So, if it's really affecting your chest it's a thought. Honey (manuka if poss for for it's natural antibiotic effect), fresh lemon & hot water makes a lovely soothing drink, eases phlegm as well so may help your cough but be aware if it does get worse you may need antibiotics to catch it before it gets any worse. Take up Deb's advice if it does. It might be an idea to take your temp from time to time too, & drink plenty of water, keep your fluid intake up.

I hope you can enjoy the rest of your hols in spite of this & it is just a cold which needs to run it's course.

[Hidden]

And if you want to buy Manuka honey, yr in the best country in the world. Kangaroo Island (in my state of SA) produces Manuka honey, because that’s the only bees on the Island. We have strict food labelling laws, so if you find something labelled as Manuka, then that’s what it will be

[Angels-delight]

Hi Saesae, I was unable to take mtx due to the side effects. They made me vilently sick so my Rheumatologist changed my meds. I know of others who were fine taking mtx as everyone reacts differently so you may be fine.

Good luck, Sue