persistent cough

[Sunny1947]

Can MTX cause a persistent cough ? Seems to have started after I started Methotrexate. My Doc can’t see me right now .Shall I be worried . Will he take me off if that appears to be the problem

[Madmusiclover]

I’d see your GP or ring the rheumatology helpline for advice.

[KittyJ]

mtx can cause lung damage so, as Madmusiclover says, you should ring your rheumy and they can investigate.

[Neonkittie17]

You could have picked up an infection which hasn’t cleared fully by itself. Better to let your GP listen to your chest and discuss how you’re feeling just to be sure. Also if you are under the care of a rheumatologist you need to let them know re your cough too. I hope you’re back on track soon. Ask for an appointment asap with the GP.

[Runrig01]

I would definitely contact your rheumatologist, MTX can cause inflammation of the lungs, which can present as a dry cough. Do you feel short of breath at all?

[Alozz]

After I was first diagnosed for Psoriatic arthritis, I was poor on steroids and Methotrexate. At some point, I developed a persistent cough. I saw my excellent and very experienced rheumatologist and several GPs. None could explain it. lung x-rays showed nothing. When the flare up was controlled, the cough went away. i came off steroids. Then about 4 months later I had a bad and lengthy flare up. more steroids. The cough came back. It lasted three months or more. Then I was given Adumilab alongside Methotrexate. My flare went away and so did cough. I came off steroids again. we concluded it was either the PSA, possibly steroids or simply unrelated. Currently great...

[Lifesforliving]

Hi SunnyYour first step must be to get the cough professionally diagnosed, which may take some time. I also experienced a persistent dry cough which I ignored for a couple of years. I eventually tackled this last year, initially through my GP as Rheumatology were not concerned. Whilst never actually attributing the cough to MTX, prolonged and detailed tests over several months resulted in MTX being withdrawn, though for other health reasons. However, I personally feel it is more than coincidental that as soon as MTX was withdrawn the cough stopped and has not returned. Your cough may be for entirely different reasons so it's Important you follow this up through professional channels.

[Biofreak]

Hi Sunny. When I was first diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis I was put on methotrexate. I developed a dry persistent cough and also had repeated chest infections and even when the infections were cleared with antibiotics, the cough persisted. I discussed it with both my GP and rheumatology and they decided that methotrexate didn't suit me and stopped it. You also have to remember that, as with most rheumatoid arthritis meds, our immune systems are somewhat suppressed by them. After stopping the methotrexate my cough went away after about 4 weeks with the help of a course of oral prednisolone to reduce the inflammation in my chest. Many people do fine with methotrexate but not everyone. So my advice is to discuss it with your rheumatology department and see what they have to say. Good luck.

[Green230461]

Speak to your rheummy team they can be helpful

[Colaba in reply to Green230461]

Where do you find a 'rheumy team'?

i have had no contact with anyone for more than two years and no conversations with GP about RA, but frequent blood tests. I just keep taking the tablets, but also have a persisent dry cough.

I had a very bad right wrist about ten days ago, by far the nastiest since the actual hospitalisation of Christmas 2020. Lack of strength is my main experience during three and a half years of RA, Aches and pains diminished after drugs stabilised, especially MTX. I have been pleased by what I take to be the useful effects of MTX. But am a bit concerned abot the cough. I am old, 85, but pretty active.

Will Taylor

[Green230461 in reply to Colaba]

Ring your rheummy people at your hospital 🧑🏻

[Nana-8]

I took Mxt until the 2,0 injection caused migraines and stopped. I did have a hacking unproductive cough plus hair loss and depression the day of and after the injection.

[grumpygirl]

A dry cough can have many causes so I would approach both your GP and Rheumy team. As others have said MTX can be brilliant but it doesn't agree with everyone. It made me very down and nauseous for a couple of days each week and caused Hair thinning. In addition following a persistent cold and subsequent X-ray it was found I had lung nodules which I obviously hadn't had several years earlier at the time of my chest X-ray prior to going on to MTX. Long story short they were monitored, grew and cavitated, a biopsy was inconclusive and I had a wedge resection of my lung. This confirmed they were rheumatoid nodules and not cancerous. Fast forward and I was put on Rituximab, which seemed to stabilise the remaining nodules, then Baricitinib which enabled me finally to come off MTX. I feel much better for it. Pulmonary rheumatoid nodules are rare and research highlighted to me that in some instances it is thought that they can be exacerbated by MTX particularly in combination with leflunomide which is what I was on.

I am no longer being monitored so must hope that the nodules that are left have remained stable - they were completely asymptomatic so I had no idea I had them. Sometimes we can forget that we are on very strong drugs that enable us to lead relatively normal lives which is a great positive, but if something feels wrong or is worrisome be persistent in getting it checked out.