Bad cold sore should I wait to inject Methotrexate?

[marie66]

I was at the dentist last Thursday - not my usual one - and she was a bit rough! She split my lip in the corner and it's came out with large cold sores which are not healing! 😔 I'm considering not injecting today to give them a better chance to heal - what do you think? They're sore and I can't eat or open my mouth properly. Thanks. M x

[KittyJ]

I’ve only ever been told to stop mtx if taking antibiotics for an infection. Mtx just brings your immune system back to that it should be if you didn’t have RA. You can always ask a pharmacy for advice or something to help ease it.

[Ummlulu]

Sorry to hear about your cold sores. Some dentists just don’t understand how sensitive RA patients can be! Sounds very painful. I would get advice from pharmacist on those first of all.

As for missing meds, I expect the medics would tell you not to but personally I’ve learnt to listen to my own body. We can’t give medical advice here but only share our own experiences. I know that my body struggles to fight off infection and takes much longer to heal because of the methotrexate and adalimumab. If I am struggling with a virus or other infection I have delayed my regular rheumatoid drugs in the past, to give my body a better chance at fighting off the bugs. I also keep a close eye on my blood test results and am learning to interpret the ‘scores’ in relation to how I feel.

Hope you get better soon.

[MJSlide1958 in reply to Ummlulu]

very sensible reading your post, so simple and makes sense.

[AgedCrone]

Are you sure they are cold sores & not a bacterial infection which would maybe need anti biotics?

I,d go back to the dentist & ask for some advice.

[autumnlass]

I have cold sores and take Zovirax tablets for them. It was the weekend once when I had them and rang Tesco pharmacist who told me to avoid MTX with Zovirax tablets for cold sores. However you don’t take them! I should contact pharmacist for advice. They’re horrid and very sore. Hope they’re better soon. 💐

[marie66]

Thanks guys. In the end I needed anti virals 5 a day for 5 days and withhold Methotrexate this week so as not to further lower my immune system. It’s been really sore, I can’t open my mouth properly so can’t really eat either. Still got a couple of days left so fingers crossed they just go away! M x

[autumnlass]

The Acyclovir tablets do take a while too, but used with the acyclovir cream it works more quickly I think.

My GP has them on repeat prescription now and I keep a spare box in the medicine cupboard.

Hope they’re much better by now for you. x

[marie66 in reply to autumnlass]

They’re still sore and open but a bit better than before. I have 2 days more antivirals so I’m still hopeful they’ll heal. M x

[autumnlass in reply to marie66]

They will - they’re taking longer because you take MTX … they leave a mark longer too. Hope you’re managing to eat and drink ok now. I’m really sorry this ha happened to you. When they’re dry and closed ~ at least you can put some CC on then. x