Cold and MTX

[tina-shelley]

Hello everyone I've had a cold, bunged up nose, sore throat and slight chesty cough since Tuesday. I'm scheduled to take my weekly MTX on Sunday. Should I take it? I seem to remember reading that I could safely miss a dose and it was actually advised that you should temporary stop the medication if unwell with a chesty cold. I've been taking MTX since 18th June this year so not long. I can't get through to the RA nurse so don't know what to do for the best. Any advise would be so appreciated. Thank you.

[Runrig01]

Have you tested for covid, lots going about at the moment. I always stop my MTX when I gone down with viral infections, to give my body a better fighting chance.

[tina-shelley in reply to Runrig01]

Runrig, following your reply I tested and both my husband and I are positive! I will definitely not have the MTX on Sunday. Thank you so much for your suggestion and advise.

[Runrig01 in reply to tina-shelley]

Your welcome. Sorry to hear you’re positive. Hopefully it will be a mild dose. If your on several immunosuppressants you may be eligible for antiviral s through gp

[tina-shelley in reply to Runrig01]

Runrig, I'm hoping it's mild too. I definitely don't feel at death's door but yes if I get worse I'll contact A&E re the antivirals as GP closed until Monday now. Thank you so much for your replies.

[HappykindaGal in reply to tina-shelley]

To take antivirals, they need to be within five days of first positive test to work I believe.

[tina-shelley in reply to HappykindaGal]

Oh thank you for that. I'm feeling a lot better today so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I've hit the peak and I'll be hopefully getting better.

[Tiverland in reply to Runrig01]

I do the same

[Retirednhs]

Hi , there is no need to stop your methotrexate unless you are antibiotics or a doctor has told you to do so, if you do you could have a flare of your RA if you can't contact your RA dept ring your consultants secretary or email your consultant but your go should be able to either see you or have telephone consultation and provIde you with medication to help you recover from your what sounds like a chest infection .Hope you get better soon

[tina-shelley in reply to Retirednhs]

Retired NHS, thank you for taking time to reply to my question. I'm scheduled to take my MTX tomorrow. Obviously I still have Covid, I seem to be getting slightly better so do you think I will be OK taking the MTX. I'm worried it'll set me back.

[Retirednhs in reply to tina-shelley]

Hi Tina to miss it once will not cause any problems but really you should speak to your Rheumatology dept or your gp . I know you are on MXT are you on any biologics as well if you are your RA dept would probably arrange antivirals . If you are not and starting to feel better use the MXT if you are very worried but people do stop if they are on antibiotics and it does not hurt to do so . Hope you are soon better

[tina-shelley in reply to Retirednhs]

Hello Retired NHS, thank you for your reply. I'm also on Hydroxychloroquine?

[KittyJ]

I’ve never stopped or been told to stop mtx for a cold/sore throat, only if you need to take antibiotics.

[tina-shelley in reply to KittyJ]

Thank you Kitty for taking time out to reply to my question. I'm totally confused now as to whether I should still take my MTX tomorrow whilst I'm recovering from Covid!

[Happy5]

I was told thos of us on MTX aren't given anti virals, no idea why that is.