Methotrexit

[tyncwmmarchhywel]

Any one been on metho and had to come off it due to side effects to lungs, this was me in around 2OO8, since then its only preds I can take, I am tempted to ask again about it, or is that fools thought. Thanks for reading.

[helixhelix]

there are so many new drugs since 2008! Ask for a proper review of your meds.

[tyncwmmarchhywel in reply to helixhelix]

Thank you

[Mcleish]

I had to stop methotrexate as it damaged my lungs causing interstitial lung disease. Have been taking Tocilizumab for 6 years now and damage has improved significantly as has my RA

[tyncwmmarchhywel in reply to Mcleish]

Thanks.

[Runrig01]

I initially had it stopped after taking it for 4.5yr, as my lung HRCT showed pulmonary fibrosis. The rheumatologist phoned in a panic, but couldn’t offer an alternative till I seen the respiratory specialist. Thankfully that was only a week later, she said that although previous thoughts were that MTX caused the PF, more recent stronger research suggests it actually delays PF. So she insisted I restart it, that was 2.5yr ago and I still take it now, I am monitored with the specialist and there has been no deterioration in the 2yrs I’ve been seeing her. I’ll try and find an article I had re MTX and lung issues.

emjreviews.com/rheumatology...

[tyncwmmarchhywel in reply to Runrig01]

Thank you for advise.

[Mcleish in reply to Runrig01]

That’s great news and a very positive outcome . RA can cause lung scarring and affect any organ, I think anyone who develops respiratory problems and is taking methotrexate should be referred to a respiratory specialist for investigation. . I was also diagnosed with idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis/interstitial lung disease after a routine chest X-ray and it can be a really scary diagnosis. I had taken methotrexate for 7 years and my RA was manageable. I attended a respiratory specialist for 3 years and after numerous tests he advised that I stop taking it. As with all immunosuppressant drugs every person reacts differently and drugs lose efficacy over time. In my case methotrexate was a contributing factor and my condition improved on stopping it. I still have lung scarring but my lung function has improved since I started my new drug regime 6years ago . My sister also stopped taking methotrexate a year ago because of lung problem after taking it for 14 years and she is attending respiratory specialist regularly. I know that Versus Arthritis have info on methotrexate and lung conditions. Best wishes