Restarting methotrexate after Covid

[yoganurse]

When I tested positive for Covid on June 5 my rheumatologist said to stop the methotrexate and my 2.5 mg of prednisone. I did really well for over two weeks and then my wrists and hands flared up as bad as when I was first diagnosed ( 2015) with RA. I was told to wait to restart the methotrexate until I was “mostly recovered“ whatever that meant. I was able to restart the methotrexate one week ago and I am still so miserable with my hands and wrists. My rheumatologist suggested Tylenol with ibuprofen, cold pack at night, increase the prednisone temporally. Has anybody had this happen and what did you do what did your rheumatologist suggest. I welcome any advice that will get me through this horrendous flare. Thank you all so much - it’s nice to be part of this group that understands the ups and downs of RA

[KittyJ]

Maybe it will take a while to get back into your system again after a few weeks off 🤷🏻‍♀️, hopefully it’ll start to work again soon but it’s good you’ve been given advice on what to do in the meantime and can temporarily increase your pred . I’m recovering from covid and will take my mtx after the weekend as I know if I’m off it two weeks then symptoms start to appear again and I’m not risking that as I have to go back to work. Unfortunately I had just taken my mtx and biologic the two days before my positive test so I’ve only really missed a week but the doctors didn’t seem fussed. 🤞🏻 For you and sorry I can’t be more help.

[Esmereld]

If you need extra help, might be an idea to ask your rheumy team if you can have a one off steroid injection. Your GP’s advice sounds pretty solid but if it ain’t working…..,,….I usually bounce back pretty quickly when I go without my meds. I cope for about two weeks, then I start to struggle. I’m greatly improved a couple of days after meds though. Lucky me eh!. Good luck. Hope you get back on track soon. X

[HamHammy]

That happened to me with coming off methotrexate and etanercept. After I went back on them once covid cleared I asked for a steroid injection to tide me over. My hospital doesn't like giving out more than one steroid over a set number of months . So I was told I wouldn't be getting another steroid till a set number of months passed after that dose. But it helped and I have not needed to enquire.