suffering with on going flu

[Skyler66]

hi , everyone happy new year to you all , just like to ask some advice really, I’ve been suffering with flu since Boxing Day ( had the flu jab too) I’ve felt truly rotten so decided not to take my methotrexate (15mg) on Friday , I was just wondering if I still feel this Ill by the next dose should I miss them again ? Advice would be much appreciated thank you .

[Ascidian]

Hi Skyler66. I do feel for you, having just been through something very similar. I started with what seemed to be a mild cough on 17th, so took my mtx that week. On 23rd (3 days after mtx) I very suddenly felt like I had been hit by a bus. I don't know if the mtx interrupted my recovery or if I somehow picked up a second infection. Either way, I decided to skip my mtx on 27th just in case. Finally called my GP on Friday as the fever wouldn't go and I still had no appetite. Because of the mtx, she prescribed antibiotics, despite not knowing if it was viral or bacterial, as she was concerned about things possibly deteriorating over the bank holiday. Stupidly, I forgot to ask about the mtx and she didn't comment when I mentioned that I had skipped one dose. After 5 of my 15 doses of antibiotics, I am feeling a lot better, but don't know if that is coincidence. But I now share your dilemma - do I take my next dose on Tuesday? I shall be following the replies to your post... Get well soon xxx

[Skyler66 in reply to Ascidian]

Thanks I do feel really poorly and it's been a week now never know what to do with the meds if you are suddenly unwell x

[Ascidian in reply to Skyler66]

Just a thought - do you have a pulse oximeter? We bought one during the first wave of Covid, so both checked our usual oxygen saturation levels and I was using it this week to check. My levels were at the lower end of normal, or just below (usually a couple of percentage points higher) and I had given myself a level at which I would call 111, but they seem to have stabilised. I found it quite reassuring, so possibly something to think about for the future. And in the meantime, try to remember that a LOT of people have had prolonged bouts of infections this year. Today is the first day since 23rd that my temp is around my normal. Hopefully, yours will also sort itself out in the next day or two. But if you are very worried or feel worse, then do try 111 xx

[Skyler66 in reply to Ascidian]

Thank you that's a bit to think about but advice is much appreciated

[Sheila_G in reply to Ascidian]

Hi. Sorry you are ill especially over Christmas. I had similar which lasted for 3 weeks had cough for 5 weeks but I continued to take mxt because I had just been off it for 4 weeks to accommodate the covid jab. I had a bad flare after that and then I got this awful virus. Read into that what you will but I think it was because I had been off mxt for 4 weeks. I know logic says it should be the other way round but I'm not sure. I do know that I would not stop taking mxt again unless I was told to of course. I hope you feel better soon. It is a horrible virus.

[Skyler66 in reply to Sheila_G]

thank you I was thinking of continuing back on my meds this week even though I still feel rubbish as I’m absolutely worried about getting a flare because of not taking the methotrexate I’m quite newly diagnosed and it’s taken ages to get right, thank you your reply has helped a lot x

[Sheila_G in reply to Skyler66]

Please seek professional advice before you do anything. I just related my story. I don't want you to do anything because I did it. All the best x

[Skyler66 in reply to Sheila_G]

Oh no I wouldn't do that just wanted people's experience of what they thought about illness during RD x

[Sheila_G in reply to Skyler66]

👍

[Knip in reply to Sheila_G]

Sometimes have to remind myself that Methotrexate is designed to bring our antibodies down to(ward) normal levels rather than much too low. It is so tricky. Obviously they surge upwards when we have a bad flare...so it's a bit of a catch 22.

[Skyler66 in reply to Knip]

Thanks x

[Sheila_G in reply to Knip]

Absolutely and what suits one won't suit another. It is difficult to know what to do for the best sometimes. x

[nomoreheels]

How rotten for you. You'll be tucked up in bed I would think so keep the fluids up, it's easy to forget when we're prone & warm with a temperature.

As for your MTX, as you've chosen to pause it for a week I would think your RD is pretty well controlled. When I am I do too but if not I continue injecting, even though it means I may suffer that big longer with the cold or whatever I have. This is what I go by & not a recommendation, I've been on MTX 14 years so can gauge, or I usually can. I did something I'd not done before when I had my 6th Covid vaccine (3rd booster) & paused it for 2 weeks. Never again, I went headlong into a mini flare. Goes to show even if reasonably well controlled you can regret such an action.

Both my h & myself have had all the Covid & our flu vaccines but even so have continued to wear our masks when out & about so we've avoided any of the nasties people have been harbouring or spluttering. My sister in law, who has autoimmune hepatitis, has done the same & her husband is in close contact with multiple patients daily in his work so has had to do the same, neither of them have had any colds, flu or Covid either.

I hope you feel better soon.

[Skyler66 in reply to nomoreheels]

Thank you good to know I can get excellent advice from people who have had RD a while I've only had it 18months or so x

[KittyJ]

We can’t tell you what you should do but I’ve been told to miss mtx if on antibiotics and not for general illnesses. I do flare if I miss more than one dose so I never do that unless advised by my rheumy. I’d speak to your doctors to find out what you should do as the advice may be different for you. Mtx only suppresses our overactive immune system back to what it should be so it’s bad luck that you’ve caught flu but hopefully you’ll be in the mend soon 🤞🏻

[Skyler66 in reply to KittyJ]

Thanks for your advice x

[Moomin8]

Sorry you're feeling rotten. I have had a rubbish flu virus type thing for about a month now. I went through 3 lots of antibiotics and 2 rounds of steroids. I still have a mild cough and cold, but I'm a lot better than I was. I had to stop my Sulfasalazine but mtx injection was a choice for me. I did stop mtx the week I had my last round of antibiotics. I did not stop my Tocilizumab injection at all though.As people have said, we cannot advise you. You must ask your clinical nurse or GP. I have a phone number for my clinical nurse, where I can leave a message. If your RA is well controlled, it might be easier to make a choice.

[Skyler66 in reply to Moomin8]

Bless you for your advice I will contact GP as soon as they are open, and thank you again for messaging back I don't feel so quite alone now big thanks again xx

[wilbertjellyfish]

If you're taking antibiotics you shouldn't take the mtx, I'd suggest if you're not feeling better by now you need to contact your GP you likely need abx .I think your best to stay off the mtx until you have recovered.

Hopefully that won't be too long

[Skyler66 in reply to wilbertjellyfish]

Thank you x

[Haz58]

I was told to stop MTX when I first went on it if I got any infection like a cough or was put on antibiotics. It seems this is yet another subject where different consultants give different advice. I wish it was just yes keep talking it or no stop. It's just so confusing for us all. So yes I'd say contact your nurse. Hope you feel better very soon x

[Skyler66 in reply to Haz58]

my thoughts exactly thank you x

[Maggsie]

I sstarted with the flu on 8th December , took my mtx and went downhill very quickly. Still not free of symptoms and have not taken my mtx since. May start again this week if I feel ok. I started back on Tcz last week.

[Skyler66 in reply to Maggsie]

Thank you x

[medway-lady]

I had similar and it went onto my chest so GP prescribed antibiotics as he could hear the crackle. It then cleared very quickly so I'd suggest you try to see your GP. Mine said a lot of people had the bug down to not been exposed for past 2 years and a lot like me had been left with a chest infection. x PS I found y mums cure all "Vick" . really helped at night

[Skyler66 in reply to medway-lady]

Thank you x

[Moomin8]

Hi, how are you doing? Did you manage to get through to your GP?

[Skyler66]

hi Moomin8 , no I didn’t manage to get my GP but I am improving considerably, I would like to thank you for messaging me it is so kind bless you x