covid and metratrexate for RA

[Mybirthday1975]

morning all!!

I tested positive for covid on the 24th of February and was told by the Rheumatologist nurses and the consultant to stop the metratrexate and just take painkillers which that is what I’ve been doing!I'm having a massive flur up as I haven’t had any RA meds for over a month as before the covid I had a bad throat and conjunctivitis!we are now the 18th of march and even though I feel well I’m still testing positive for covid and I’ve been told that I can’t start back in my meds until it’s negative I’m absolutely racked with pain I feel terrible 😢 had anyone else been in this situation??

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated 🙏🏽

[AgedCrone]

I’m afraiid you always have to stop Mtx (& a lot of other drugs) if you have any infection…..so best best take the painkillers as advised & hope you test negative very soon.

[Mybirthday1975 in reply to AgedCrone]

Morning thanks for replying i get what you’re saying and I’ll absolutely go with what the hospital says but they run some bloods and even though my bloods showed no infection I can’t have the metratrexate??

[AgedCrone in reply to Mybirthday1975]

I know that must be very difficult for you to understand when you are in pain….…but if you are still testing positive for Covid….that looks like there is still infection there. I guess your medical team know what they are doing & will get you back on some meds as soon as they think it is clinically the right thing to do.

Hope you test negative very soon.

[Mybirthday1975 in reply to AgedCrone]

Aww thank you and fingers crossed 🤞🙏🏽

[KittyJ]

As AC says, unfortunately if you have to have antibiotics it will mean stopping and starting methotrexate again and again but it’s not good you’ve had Covid for so long either, hopefully it won’t be long before you’re back on meds. Be kind to yourself until then 🤞🏻

[Sunshinereturns]

I feel so sorry for you. I’ve had covid twice and kept taking my methotrexate as couldn’t bear to stop it. I do realise that’s not helpful as it’s against advice. I was lucky and was fine.

[Haz58]

I was the same last month. had a chest infection so on antibiotics then got COVID for the 1st time ever, very lightly though only tested positive for a few days. But was off my biologic for 4 weeks. Now I'm hurting again waiting for my jab to kick in again, I've had 3 weeks jabs so far. It's a pain (literally) having to stop meds but i followed advice. Hope you test negative very very soon.

[Happy5]

Oh poor you I'm in a painful flare too even with pain meds very painful init?

I got an infection (not COVID) had to stop MTX for two weeks called my RA advice line waiting to see if I can have a steroid injection to help reduce my symptoms? Not sure if you can do this if viewed as still having COVID ?

🤗

[Beanyynwa]

I had covid in 2021 and was also told to stop mtx. However once I recovered 3 weeks later I started it again. Unless you are on antibiotics, why can't you start mtx again.

I was on antibiotics at one point and the flare was awful. I was given a steriod injection to ease the symptoms.

Hope you feel better soon

[Cat-E]

I had a tooth infection and they told me to come off mtx for 2 weeks but I felt like all was healing after 1 week and I wasn't on any antibiotics so I went back on it. If I felt well and wasn't on any antibiotics I'd go back on the MTX, how many of us may have been covid + over the past few years but due to not testing and only mild symptoms didn't know about it?

[2bichons]

Hi I have been on MTX for 4 years. I have had Covid 3 times since 2020 and never once did I stop taking MTX during the time I tested positive for Covid. I was never instructed to do that. I'm so sorry for your flare ups ~ as we all know they are the most dreadful pain. I'm not a dr but I've had experience with Covid/MTX and when you stop your RA drugs for that length of time, your joints suffer. Hope your feel better soon!