Coping with being constantly poorly

[Feelingpoorly]

Hi to you all

I’m currently on MTX 15mgs administered by weekly metojet and although I have some uncomfortable days now and again, I feel I’m fairly stable and I feel lucky that the treatment is working. ….. however ……. Since last October I have been constantly ill with virus/colds/chest infections/plus a nasty bout of shingles in the head. It seems every three weeks or so I pick something else up! I’m currently recovering from being in bed for three days with yet another virus!

I’m looking after my young Grandchild one day a week and I’m aware I’m probably picking up viruses from her but I’m struggling to stay cheerful and I’m getting weary ……how do you all cope?

[Boxerlady]

Sorry to hear that - have you spoken to your GP about this? I have to say that I don't think that I've had more an a slight cold since being on DMARDS so maybe it isn't necessarily Methotrexate which is making you vulnerable to these bugs? I don't have any contact with children though - I don't avoid them, just don't have any immediate family other than hubby - so maybe I'm not exposed to so many things 🤔

[Feelingpoorly in reply to Boxerlady]

Thank you - that’s the best suggestion, to be honest I hadn’t even thought of that as it’s so hard to see a GP but of course it’s the most logical thing to do. Sometimes you just can’t see the wood for the trees!😊

Thanks again

[Mama-K in reply to Feelingpoorly]

It might be worth ringing your Rheumatology helpline too, they are usually really responsive.

[Runrig01]

I’m on 25mg of MTX as well as a biologic and steroids. I’ve had fewer infections since being on these meds. That’s despite working as a nurse on the frontline, nursing many infected patients

I agree with Boxerlady that it may be worth having a chat with your gp. I even nursed my hubby whilst shielding and he got poorly with Covid, and never came down with it.

[Feelingpoorly in reply to Runrig01]

Thanks for your reply - seems there might be something else going on so a visit to the GP seems logical. Thanks again🙂

[Fluffontoast]

That was me winter just gone, 1 thing after the next! Barely a week without being ill, all very boring then my knees swelled up and I eventually got an arthritis diagnosis. The arthritis made me anemic so I was more vulnerable to illness. I have also been told that Mtx can make you slightly more vulnerable to infections etc. You might be right about grandchild introducing illnesses to you.

[Feelingpoorly in reply to Fluffontoast]

Thank you so much for your reply I really appreciate it 🙂

[cathie]

children pick up and transmit so much especially when they start at school

[Feelingpoorly in reply to cathie]

They certainly do! Bless them ♥️

[Leics]

I am hypogamma and my immune system is in my boots. Although I’ve had this for about 10 years I don’t get many infections so I guess I’m lucky. We look after our grandchildren once a week too. I know it sounds silly but the biggest thing that helps me is an extremely low dose of antibiotics daily and more than that an antihistamine which will clear up a viral cough quicker than anything. I think as others have mentioned a trip to your GP it might be an idea and perhaps get your immunoglobulins checked.

[Feelingpoorly in reply to Leics]

Thanks so much for sharing your experience 😊

[Blodynhaul]

Very sorry to hear you keep picking up infections on methotraxate (MTX). I was on it for about 13 years (but it gradually poisoned my system and lived with full-time nausea by the end). But it did a very good job on the whole for my RA, I now realise that.

What I used to do every time I felt an infection/bug threatening to come on, was take a large dose of Vitamin C. I still do it and it works. I take about 4000mg straight away (I buy the 1000mg tablets, or 1500mg tablets), then the next day tak another 3000mg. It honestly has seemed to halt the vast majority of potential infections I feel coming on due to the low immune system.

Good idea though, as others have said, to see your GP anyway.

Goood Luck!

[Feelingpoorly in reply to Blodynhaul]

Thank you so much for replying and for sharing your experience😊

[Blodynhaul in reply to Feelingpoorly]

A pleasure - all the very best x

[coralflux]

I think it is worth trying a keto diet. Basically cutting out sugar and carbs. I have been doing this for 6 months and have reduced my MTX slowly. ( not so easy if you are injecting, I know)

I am now in so much less pain and have stopped the MTX after gradual reduction. I have taken the responsibility for my own health into my own hands and feel better for it. Everyone is different, but Keto has been a revelation and a life-changer for me. (Which is just as well because I cannot get to see a rheumatologist for love nor money).

[Feelingpoorly in reply to coralflux]

Thank you for your reply - I'm very interested in this and will look into it further to see if it’s something for me to try.