Coronavirus and methotrexate

[Debbieanne49]

Please don't take this as gospel but my rheumatologist has told me that there seems to be a trend across the country, that when people are taking methotrexate for RA , it seems to be having the opposite effect than originally expected! Apparently people with RA were expected to be quite badly hit by the virus but it turns out that very few of us have caught it! Fingers crossed for the future..😇😇😇🤗🤗🤗

[nomoreheels]

Ok... that would be great if it was so, but I’m still not going anywhere, just in case!

[lornaisobel]

Ive heard that being on methotrexate means you do better if you go into hospital you don't need to go on a ventilator ???????????????????????????? that wasn't a Dr that told me that probably just gossip x

[bubblyalex in reply to lornaisobel]

My consultant said that that med carries a slightly higher infection risk.

[allanah]

More reports of this coming out from doctors, however I'm continuing shielding until its proven as helpful. My understanding from my rheumy is you still feel awful but his patients have recovered in itu more quickly .

And of course more of us were in shielding quickly which would reduce some of the of catching it . !

But fingers crossed ..... and hope they are manufacturing lots if that's the case...

[rab1874]

1 glimmer of hope if this is true xxx

[cass24]

It would be nice to think this is true, although as someone else pointed out, the fact that very few people on Mtx have caught the virus may well be largely down to the fact that they're already shielding (or at least being extra careful) anyway...

That said... the fact that Mtx works on moderating the immune response, and many of the complications of Covid result from an overreaction by the immune system, it certainly doesn't seem too "off the wall" to imagine it might even have some positive effect...

Not that I'm personally that keen to test the theory, but it's certainly an encouraging thought if/when the worse should have come to the worst.

Fingers crossed...

[dawkin_S]

That would be very good news!

[Gnarli]

If true I'd be tickled pink but I'm staying put 'cos I'm nobody's guinea pig

[nomoreheels in reply to Gnarli]

Me either! 21s🐖

[Morigan]

In my understanding underlying conditions and medications we take don't affect how likely we are to catch the virus it is more to do with what's gonna happen to us if we do.

Maybe people with RA are not catching it because we are more careful or shielding so less likely to get into contact with the virus.

[oldtimer]

It's more likely that people with RD are being compliant with shielding and social distancing. They are also less likely to be working in physical jobs which are exposing people to the risks of infection and public transport travel (although some are working - we've heard from them here.

But it would be good to think they are 'possibly' protected against the cytokine storm which causes an over-reaction of your immune system at around day 10 - but that's if they get it in the first place.

[crashdoll]

I’m surprised they thought people with RA would be badly hit given not every RA is considered extremely vulnerable. It’s dependent on the level of immunosuppressive medication and any other conditions like lung disease.

When I was in A&E with suspected Covid, the consultant said he was concerned about my vulnerability due to the meds. Even with a mask and gloves, he made me sit in a completely isolated place whereas other query covid patients were able to sit with others.

[bubblyalex in reply to crashdoll]

Good to hear he was so cautious and careful to protect you.

[bubblyalex]

Because most of us are shielding? Taking extra precautions? Being super vigilant? 👍🏻

[Kooky555]

I take 25mg methotrexate by injection & I was shielding but I was in ITU with Covid 19 for 3 days. I didn't need a ventilator so maybe that's a positive but not sure that we are any less likely to catch it. Just that most of us shielded before the general population.

[Gnarli in reply to Kooky555]

I do hope you are on the road to recovery

[Kooky555 in reply to Gnarli]

Absolutely Gnarli, still get tired & a funny sense of smell but much better thank you.

[Gnarli in reply to Kooky555]

Bless you. Be kind to yourself won't you. Stay safe

[Lina282]

It is reassuring...a bit. 😅 But I think it's better to continue with the shielding 🛡

[Sheila_G]

If true. That is more likely because those of us with RA are being sensible and staying home. I think that is quite a dangerous statement by your rheumatologist. It might make some people on methotrexate feel safer going out. They aren't. Stay in!!! x

[Debbieanne49 in reply to Sheila_G]

I think people may have misunderstood me, I wasn't saying let's go out and stop being careful, I was repeating what my consultant told me and we're talking about the research and science of how the virus works and how the methotrexate works!

[bubblyalex in reply to Debbieanne49]

I think I was surprised by your consultant saying this sort of thing🤔😊

[Sheila_G in reply to Debbieanne49]

No. I didn't misunderstand. I was saying that the Rheumatologist shouldn't have said that because some people might have misunderstood her or him. Sorry if it didn't come across right. I knew you weren't saying that. xx

[Happy5]

Was told by RA nurse as no other real problem conditions & just taking MTX that I'm in

medium risk group.

However my daughter-in-law is in the high vulnerable group so taking no risks for her sake.

[LauraJM in reply to Happy5]

Yes, I'm the same. Was told strict social distancing.

[WalkerintheLakes]

Hi, I have been invited by post to join a study by London Uni and Mori and will be sent a testing kit in post. I take methotrexate and have had RA since 2006. I presume my RA is reason I got invite. I hope all these studies and research will provide more clarity and evidence especially for identifying and protecting the most vulnerable. Here's to everyone working hard on all this.

[Nuttyshirlz]

I was being told being on methotrexate is reason why we were told To stay home. But that was at start. I plan staying here until it’s safe to change 🙂

[essexgirl in reply to Nuttyshirlz]

That’s true , same here because of the mtx because it suppresses the immune system and then more vulnerable to infection that’s why we have flu jab every year so we don’t get badly hit by the flu because of our meds . The thing that got me a bit worried was the hydroxy as they tried in in America for Covid and said it didn’t work but don’t take it unless advised to being as it’s so toxic 😳

[Nuttyshirlz in reply to essexgirl]

Yes that’s also a reason to our flu jabs lol guess no one really knows. My Gp rang me last week to see how I was doing and even she said it’s changes everyday so only time will tell what happens I guess. But as long has we safe that’s all that counts.

[essexgirl in reply to Nuttyshirlz]

Hi yes we just have to look after ourselves really we all know what we can and cannot do or go , I’ve been indoors since 7th March , I’m lucky to have a garden so it’s easier , I started listening to everything and everyone about Covid , in the end I stopped watching it as I was getting very stressed , the only way through this is protect ourselves & nothing can go wrong , hopefully lol

[Nicanoo]

Fingers crossed, stay safe everyone xxx

[MargaretStirling]

Quite possibly most people my age group with lots of serious illness are isolating themselves which is good for ourselves and one less burden for our family and if this is going to prevent me from taking this virus I'll gladly stay in

[dawkin_S]

Given the recent focus on the whole cytokine storm/overactive immune system issues with bad cases, I was wondering which way that would work with us autoimmune types. Maybe the immune dampening effects of the methotrexate are benefitting us if we do catch it.

I think I had it in April, but wasn't tested, and found the thought (since seemingly disproven!) that hydroxychloroquine might help quite reassuring during the worst of it - so the placebo effect might have helped me!

[Esayd]

I'm on mtx still working as I'm a key worker, being careful obviously, but good news if there's any truth in it...

[ROBERT_CARMICHAEL]

I was in Thailand when this all started and decided that the risk from the vIrus was greater than a RA flare up and so stopped my methotrexate for about 3 weeks. My RA flared up a bit but I did not catch the virus and have been self isolated ever since. My Rheumatologist advised continuing with methotrexate which I have done with no virus (from the self isolation) and a gradual return to my normal joint state.

[RA2011]

That's good to know Debbie, thank you. Lizx

[-Terry]

It's most probably because the majority of us taking Methodexstrate are in lockdown anyway.