flu jab

[Amb1xkr]

does anyone here stop their methotrexate before or after flu jab. I’m injecting 25 mg methotrexate

Thanks

[KittyJ]

No, never been told to. There was a post the other day about this so I’d have a look at the answers there too 😊

[Neonkittie17]

I have been told by my immunologist and rheumy to stop Mtx two weeks after a flu/pneumonia/Covid vaccine. I would ask your rheumy. Here is the NRAS advice which is on their website re vaccines and pausing Mtx.

“Should I interrupt my RA medication when having a vaccine? 

For some vaccines, it is possible to improve the chances of responding by temporarily interrupting your RA medicine. Stopping methotrexate from the day of the vaccine for two weeks will improve the chance of your body responding well to the vaccine. However, interrupting your RA medicine can increase your risk of flare. If your disease has been well controlled, then a short pause in your RA medication is reasonable, but if your RA is active, you should discuss the risks and benefits of interrupting treatment with your rheumatology team.”

[Knip in reply to Neonkittie17]

My RA dept has sent out a letter saying that although the official advice is that you should stop for two weeks, because it has been shown that you MAY not make as many antibodies if you continue with MTX, their advice remains steadfast that we continue taking it. They did add that it was up to us individuals to make that decision.

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Knip]

I have read the official advice from the reputable sources too and the same advice given to me from my immunologist and rheumy. I tested for “functional antibodies“ last year at the request of my rheumy who said Mtx often affected the efficacy of pneumonia and flu vaccines and sure enough it did. Pneumonia test result was sub optimal .. negligible and the flu result negative. I’d left some weeks after my meds too before having them. I did have no B cells at the time due to Rtx, so it’s debatable, but I’m going to leave 2 weeks after my current biologic and Mtx before I have my flu and pneumonia shots this time. It’s your own choice of course.

[helenlw7]

I asked my rheumatologist the very same question and her advice for me was that because my RA wasn’t well controlled I shouldn’t stop the mtx because I would probably then go into a flare.

[cyberbarn]

I recently asked my rheumy this, and she said 'no, no, everything's fine, you can have vaccinations and Methotrexate at the same time.' So I asked again using a different wording, mentioning guidelines, and the second time she said 'oh, yes, the vaccination works better if you don't take the Methotrexate for two weeks after the vaccine.'

I seem to have a Schrodinger rheumatologist; it is both okay to have the vaccination and not okay at the same appointment!

[nomoreheels]

This is one of those questions where you'll receive conflicting experiences. I've never stopped my MTX for the flu jab but I’m reasonably well controlled so less likely to react negatively to halting it for a short period. Whether or not I have better cover I’ll never know but from when I first had the flu vaccine I’ve not had flu, I may have just been fortunate though.

The best thing for you, & anyone else who's unsure, is to ask your Rheumy nurses as they know your particular circumstances. It's one of those risk over benefit situations.

[Hidden]

I take 25mg Mtx and had my Covid and flu jabs yesterday. I’m still alive!!

[Moomin8 in reply to Hidden]

Phew! Im having both on Saturday - I was hoping to be able to walk out of there alive! 😅

[Hidden in reply to Moomin8]

I had a raised temperature on Monday night so didn’t sleep too well. Two paracetamol and some water sorted me out though; when I was awake enough to do that.

[Dobcross1]

Hi, I've never stopped MXT for flu (or Covid) jabs. I inject 25mg.

[WillowsMother]

I agree with others. It's a risk over benefits situation. Ive personally decided to delay taking my new biologic until a couple of weeks after i have my 6th covid jab. That's because my experience to date is that my previously effective JAK has been less and less effective with every vaccination I've had. I still want to be vaccinated againt covid, but I want to give the new med at least 6 months without having any covid jabs to undermine it. Ive never had a problem with the flu jab, so will have that whenever i can get an appointment.

[medway-lady]

I can only relate my experience as I had an antibody storm. I stopped as was then advised the AZA and Benapali and had the first jab( sorry I don't take MTX) and never experienced pain like it. It was horrid, agonising pains in my chest, arms, legs etc. It hurt to breathe etc. So went to A &E on advice of 111 and the doctor said seen before. Stopped meds and then the jab which provokes the antibody response in effect a ''storm''. He said don't stop for next one as did my Nephrologist who I saw the following month. So I didn't and all was well. So I'd suggest you talk to your RA team as in my case the RA was well controlled but by meds and stopping the meds caused chaos. It is a minefield as what suits one may not suit another so best of luck whatever you decide to do. I've put off my 6th jab as just had the Shingrex one and that was dreadful so I need a bit of time before any more.

[wilbertjellyfish]

no I don't stop, im on the same dose as you.

[Thingybob]

The british society of rheumatology suggests that if you are stable on mtx then you might consider stopping mtx for 2 weeks after the covid booster. They state that thete is no need to stop prior to the jab.

My rheumy directed me to the advice on their website.....sorry my tech skills dont stretch as far as posting a link 😊

.