I know we can’t give medical advice but am just picking your brains .
I’ve had a sinus infection and had to stop my RA meds . Asked a student doctor when can I restart mtx and barcitnib he said oh the day after you Finnish your course of co-amoxiclav? Thanks in advance. X
The advice given by medics on stopping RA meds when we are unwell seems to be very personal to the Dr involved, even rheumatologists, with quotes or recommendations from whatever they have read most recently.I've never stayed off meds long, always restarting as soon as my situation improves...I'm talking coughs, colds, dental extractions and such like. A few days off meds at most, or delaying a weekly injection by a few days.
As you know I didn't stop meds at all during my recent 2 surgeries.
I've never had any issues.
According to my neurosurgeon, the risk from a flare is more detrimental to healing than the risk from continuing on meds. He seemed much more knowledgeable than almost all GPs I've come across and some rheumatologists. He got me through my surgeries by doubling my daily prednisilone and keeping me on leflunomide and toficinitib.
Of course all the above are my experiences only.
If you are on a long term course of antibiotics, it makes sense to reduce or stop anything that impairs your immune response, that is, your immune suppressant drugs. But that puts you at risk of a flare and must be balanced against the risk of prolonging the infection somewhat.If you are having a short course I have never been able to understand the reason for stopping. It takes time to build up to a dose of immune suppressant that works, stopping suddenly for a couple of weeks doesn't make sense - and risk a flare if your immune response IS lowered.
But you will find that every doctor seems to have a different idea - which suggests that 'no-one knows what is best practise'.
I'm still on a big learning curve with all this, im listening intently (in other words im no help at all!).
Crap you've got this sinus problem, hope it goes quickly x
I had been told the same by the specialist biologics nurse.
I’ve never been told to stop my RA meds, and because I also have a lung condition I’ve been taking an antibiotic three times a week for the last 5+ years! They both work together.
When I was on a course of antibiotics and steroids after an eye op in June, I asked the eye surgeon and his reply was 'oh no don't stop the methotrexate, that'll help us' but that was just in that 1 situation. I must admit the thought of a flare would push me to restart my meds quicksticks if I ever had to stop them but that's just me!! Hope your sinuses are better - such a painful thing x
I was told a week by my GP x
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