Cough and methotrexate

[Amb1xkr]

I have a very tight chesty cough that is stopping me sleeping as I can't stop coughing when I lie down. I increased my methotrexate last week to 25 mg injections from tablets. Don't think this has anything to do with the cough but does anyone know what I can take to help or suppress it? Codeine suppresses a cough but read not to take it with methotrexate. I'm shattered. done a few lateral flows all negative.

[JenniferW]

You poor thing, coughs are so draining. I'd ask the pharmacist for help in this case. Also is it possible for you to try sleeping sitting up against extra pillows? That's what I've had to do recently.

[Carolsos in reply to JenniferW]

I always took codiene with mtx, I didn't know you were not suppose too. My consultant knew I was on codiene. Hope someone else has the answers. Take care.

[Biofreak]

Hi Amb1. When I took methotrexate when I was first diagnosed I developed persistent cough and tight chest which turned into a chest infection which was treated with antibiotics. The cough, however continued and I developed another chest infection. I had 3 chest infections in a 20 week period. The rheumatologist decided it didn't suit me and stopped it. The cough continued for a while but after a 4 week course of Prednisone it stopped. I would contact your rheumatologist for a discussion about your cough or your GP. I hope you can get it resolved.

[Amb1xkr in reply to Biofreak]

Thank you for the advice. I have seen my GP this evening actually got a face to face after a telephone chat. He has given me a weeks course of doxycycline and told me to miss my next methotrexate onTuesday. Hopefully it will do the trick. It’s really great to get advice and read the experiences people in this group have had. Thanks

[Biofreak in reply to Amb1xkr]

Glad you have some antibiotics. I hope they work for you. It's important you miss your usual dose of methotrexate as otherwise the antibiotics won't work. With a bit of luck you won't be like me and will be able to continue with methotrexate. But if the problem reoccurs don't worry as there's many alternative treatments.

[Sheila_G]

I am wondering what kind of pillow you have . Could you be allergic to something in the content or fabric? If you are not coughing at other times, may be worth looking into. Good luck. x

[achyknitter]

Have you tried honey and lemon for your cough. I find it helps just as well as cough medicine. In the past I have been prescribed codeine for pain whilst taking methotrexate. Have you spoken to your chemist for advice? Hope you are soon better.

[Haz58]

I have the same problem. Half an hour after getting into bed I’m cough cough cough! Ive not had my methotrexate jab for 3 weeks now (another story) and the cough at night has eased a lot. I take a spoonful of honey and I’ve also had to up my omeprazole for gastric reflux. Again I’ve been able to lower this from 40mg a day back to 10 or on odd days 20 since not having the MTX. You can take codiene, my Rheumy wanted to put me on it but I’m allergic to it so I have co-drydamol instead.

I’ve emailed my rheumatologist but not heard anything back yet as she’s in Canada for a month apparently.

[Aporiac]

I've been taking methotrexate for about 9 months: initially 20mg orally, and then 20 mg injections (less harsh on the stomach)! It definitely makes me wheezy (short of breath and prone to coughing). I could just be getting used to it (new normal!), but the wheeziness seems marginally less bad with jabs than tablets.

I had Covid a couple of months ago, which gave rise to a horrible cough that persisted long after the sore throat/fever subsided. I was advised to stop mtx for 2 weeks. 6 weeks after getting Covid I went on a one week course of antibiotics because the cough wouldn't clear up. Antibiotics seemed to help, but after 8 weeks the cough is still present (although much better than it was).

False negatives in Covid 'quick' tests are common, so I wouldn't rule out Covid. Also you might have had a mild infection with symptoms suppressed by the mtx, recovered from that without realising you'd had it (so negative test), but your lungs were still somewhat damaged - hence the cough. Most people I know who've had Covid in recent months have had coughs that go on for weeks or months (although they eventually clear up). Mtx wheeziness and immunosuppression plus any chest infection (Covid/flu, etc) seems to mean lots of coughing for a long time, I'm afraid!