Antibiotics

[Hellsgranny]

Not been out at all since march as shielding but after a phone call to GP as not feeling great, he wanted to see me , upshot is, I have a UTI and got 3 days of Augmentin antibiotics. GP then said not to take next weeks methotrexate on Monday for the week and to stop taking hydroxycloroquine from today until next Wednesday . When I got home thought Id phone the hospital rheumy team to pass that by and was told it was fine to take hydroxy now along with antibiotic but not to take methotrexate for 2 weeks ! Confused ? I am ! Any advice ??

[charisma]

I’d do as Rheumatology say; they know far more about RD drugs. HCQ was never stopped for me during infections although it was not UTIs back then.

[rounder]

I think the best advice is from rheumatology, they know our meds and their drawbacks better than the GPs. I get reasonably frequent chest or sinus infections and the rheumatology team always advise stopping DMARDs until antibiotics are done and any sign of infection has passed.

Hope that you feel better soon.

[happytulip]

Go with rheumie advice. Although I am surprised that they only gave you 3 days of augmentin and not a week?

[Hellsgranny in reply to happytulip]

I was surprised to get 3 days and not 7 and queried this but essentially was told he knows best ! Just hoping it works. I was bit more concerned with the difference between GP and Consultant regarding how long to stay off methotrexate and taking the hydroxy. Upsets the confidence a bit ! Anyway going with hospital advice .

Thankyou everyone for your replies, stay safe and hope you all have a good weekend 🤗

[happytulip in reply to Hellsgranny]

I have to say that from my extensive experience with UTIs and immune suppression and AI disease, I do think that a longer course is required. I most certainly hope that he has put you on 625 of co-amox and not 375mg?

Trimethoprim is given for 3 days, not co-amox. It can lead to resistance which happened in my case and now I still have the infection 5 years later, all becausey GP "knew best."

I'm not trying to frighten or scare you but don't be afraid to push back.

Most of us AI/DMARD patients need a longer course of antibiotics to treat an infection. Not a shorter one. That is certainly what my Rheumatologist and Immunology team have told me.

[Hellsgranny in reply to happytulip]

When I spoke to the rheumatology consultant after i got home from gp, i told him ive been given 500mg/125mg for 3 days and he seemed fine with that. Now im more confused, just hope it helps , GP said phone back if not gone. Seems much better today. Thankyou for your reply

[Hidden]

Whenever I have been put on antibiotics, I have been told to stop methatrexate but have never been told to stop hydroxycloroquine. There again when I have been given them it hasn't been for a UTI. I think it can be so confusing when told different things by doctors. I have had that happen myself.

[marie66]

Hi that happened to me too I went with rheummy advice and continued with my hydroxy alongside antibiotics. M x