Methatextrate and cystitis

[Nordle]

Hi I have been taking methatextrate for about 5 years with hardly any problems but in the last year or so I’ve been getting urine infections/cystitis very regularly ! I had to increase my tabs from 6 To 8 because of a flare up , so have now decreased them to 6 again !

The last time I spoke to nurse practitioner she said to stop methatex as soon as I get symptoms but not longer than a week , which I do but as soon as I take them again the cystitis comes back I’m taking natural things at the moment and have stopped caffeine ect but have to take my tabs today and am dreading it !! I have had a few courses of antibiotics but can’t keep taking them !

Has anyone else had the same problem ?

[oldtimer]

The two may not be related directly. If you are having frequent attacks of cystitis then that needs investigating/treating without the distraction of worrying about the methotrexate. Possibly a long course of antibiotics that are safe to take while continuing to take the methotrexate might be indicated. It's worth discussing this further with your medical team (and I do mean now!) to tackle this longer term problem. My surgery has set up on-line consultations so it is easy to do that, previously it could be done by telephone.

[Boxerlady in reply to oldtimer]

As oldtimer says, the methotrexate might not be causing the problem; the nurse may have told you to miss a dose because of the antibiotics. Definitely worth investigating other possible causes. Can I ask what age you are? Fine if you don't want to say!

[Nordle in reply to Boxerlady]

Hi I’m 66 the consultant I saw a couple of years ago said the urine infections were because he had upped my dosage of methatextrate?

Do I phone my doctor or the RA people ??

Thank you for your reply

[Boxerlady in reply to Nordle]

I don't know if this is helpful but I just wondered if you'd considered that it might be connected to the menopause (if you are female of course!) Happy to say more here or feel free to message me if you'd prefer 😊

[Nordle in reply to Boxerlady]

I had a total hysterectomy when I was 40 so have been threw it and out the other end ! Couldn’t get on with hrt but do take oil of evening primrose I think I’ll battle on with the natural stuff and loads of water and see how things are thank you for your reply’s !

[Boxerlady in reply to Nordle]

It might be worth doing a bit of research into VA as many women find that the first symptoms are cystitis and urinary infections. There are lots of treatments other than HRT although you can have localised HRT which isn't systemic. Drinking lots of water is good obviously and I think that there's something called D-Mannose which can help too. I think that it was mentioned on a recent thread so maybe do a search? If you want more info on VA there's a very good website called Menopause Matters.

[Nordle in reply to Boxerlady]

Hi thank you I will have a look at that site ,I’m taking uva-ursi drops at the mo and have got the d mannose for long term ? It has eased with the drops and drinking loads of water so fingers crossed

Thank you for your reply !

[HevJ]

Hi.

I have been on MTX for 5 years and benapali for the last 2. In the past 18 months I have had about 7-8 bouts of cystitis or urine infection. Every time I ask about it being med related it’s brushed off. I then met a locum doc who suggested I Up my water intake. She believed by flushing out the system it won’t allow bacteria to stew. I used to have 1.5l bottle a day now I try to drink 2.5l of water plus coffee which I have cut back on. Four months since last infection and I have had no symptoms....

[Nordle in reply to HevJ]

Yes I am trying to drink loads so will persevere thanks

[marigold54]

Had a problem a couple of years ago. And after numerous trips to the GP i was given antibiitic that you can take alongside the RA meds. So there is something out there to help........ The problem is i can't blooming remember the name of them. SORRY. I was also told to drink barley water and lots of boiled water to flush out the infection. As HevJ suggested too. The barley water apparently stops it coming back. I have not had an infection since. The doc told me it was connected to methotrexate. Hope you're better soon🎈

[Nordle in reply to marigold54]

Thank you for the tips

[Hidden]

I beat recurrent cystitis by bombarding it with D-Mannose, keeping up a lower dose after the symptoms had gone. Scrupulous washing of nether regions after anything that sullies them has been helpful too. I found a lot of useful tips on the sweet-cures.com site. Have a look at Anna's story.

After getting 3 or 4 infections per year, I have been free of cystitis for several years now. I hope you can beat it because I know how horrible it is.

[Nordle in reply to Hidden]

Thank you yes I’ve bought some D mannose and taking some drops at the mo I will look on that site !

[SEAgran3]

I am prone to UTIs, brilliant GP who prescribed the vaginal cream Ovestin, It’s brilliant I use it once a week