MTX holiday

[HallySim]

Hi all. Have any of you temporarily paused methotrexate? I have a family trip planned which will involve a long drive and a week visiting people etc. I can't imagine me coping with this as well as MTX side effects, particularly brain fog and nausea. I wondered whether I could skip that weeks dose. Will ask rheum nurse but what do you guys think?

[HallySim]

I'm in 17.5mg tabs wkly which I take on Thursday nightAlso on folic acid and daily hydroxychloroquine

[Potatos]

I have done this when I have been going on holiday. It never causes me a problem but my RA is very well controlled. I have also been on it for a lot of years.

[helixhelix]

We are not supposed to give medical advice. However I’ve been on MTX11 years and am very stable, so this is something I do when I need to,

[Bookworm55 in reply to helixhelix]

Me too.

[JEM95]

As Helixhelix says, we aren’t supposed to give medical advice, but I have missed it several times when I’ve been on holiday. I’m on 15 mg now but was on 22.5 for many years.

My thoughts are it takes many weeks / months to build up in your system so missing one week is not going to cause a big dip. That said, it’s your choice whether to do it or not, we can only give our experiences. Hope whatever you choose let’s you enjoy your trip! x

[Sheila_G]

I have missed a week here and there, usually because I have forgotten to take it. It is in the system for about 6 weeks. I had to miss 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after surgery and didn't have any problems. On saying this I must tell you that I had a consultation with my Rheumatologist on thursday. Lots of things were discussed including stopping mxt etc before having the covid vaccine and she said that they have found that the greatest risk of getting covid and being ill with it is not the drugs we take but having active disease. It is more important to prevent a flare. Now that I know that, I will not stop my mxt for even 1 week just in case. I would always advice speaking to the experts before you do anything associated with medication.

[ABwn]

Like others I have been on methotrexit for many years. RA well controlled and sometimes miss a week of methotrexit when necessary.

[essexgirl]

I have a few times , been no problems , as others have said it builds up in your system

[Fra22-57]

When I took it I was on holiday for 5 weeks in New Zealand.I was never told to miss while away .If I had I think it would of caused me more problems with my joints.I have missed a weeks biologic injection once thou .

[mole147]

I have missed the odd dose with no effects. When the pandemic first started I was so worried that I stopped taking Mtx for about 8 weeks and the joint pain was not that bad but I was covered in Psoriasis. I started taking it again and the Psoriasis was gone in a couple of weeks. The only good thing is that I now know that I have Psa rather than RA. I am sure you will be fine but I would still ask your rheumy for advice though.

[Nuttyshirlz]

Funny you should say that I’ve just got back from spending 10 days visiting my grandkids and my sons and wife’s. I’d stopped mine for the week but I’ve also being on mine years too. My nurse said I could now and again. But I’d being on it about six months when she told me this. Ring your rhemy nurse and ask her if she thinks it’s wise as others have said we only speaking from personal experience. We not doctors or nurses.

[stbernhard]

Hi Hally, I guess it all depends on how well controlled your RA is, how high your dose of MTX and what your Rheumatology team advises you to do. I have spoken to them in the past and explained why I wanted a week or two off and they had no problem with it. I will always speak to them though if I want to change anything in my meds. Have a lovely week with your family.

[HallySim in reply to stbernhard]

Thanks so much

[TheBoys]

Hi, I paused it for a year on/off as was frightened of getting covid. Got a few niggles but back on it now. Glad to say!

[Pulfs]

I’ve stopped for a week if going on 1wks holiday but have been on it for 20yrs x

[HallySim]

Thanks everyone for helpful input as always xxxx

[Soundofmusic52]

Like everyone says we can’t give medical advice but I did it when I was ill with hot sweats I came off it for 6 weeks back on it now never had any side effects plus my consultant advised it to 🌻😷

[Happy5]

Often take that approach for similar occassions.Have a good un