Folic Acid

[debjw]

hello all, I’m hoping you can help me.

I’ve been told to increase my folic to every day other than the day I take my methotrexate due to thrush in my mouth. This week I’ve got a flu jab so not taking methotrexate. Do I not take any folic all week? Thank you ☺️

[helenlw7]

I’ve been on mtx for about 15 years and have never been told not to take around the time of my flu jab.

[debjw in reply to helenlw7]

Ah okay. Do we have to stop it for the covid jab then?

[helenlw7 in reply to debjw]

I had my Covid jab today and was told I didn’t to stop it

[Nyreedw in reply to helenlw7]

It was advised to stop meds, especially mtx, around covid jab as research showed the vaccine had better results, more antibodies, than those who carried on taking it. It was in the Rheumatology society guidelines. My hospital was part of the research X

[debjw in reply to Nyreedw]

Thank you ☺️

[KittyJ]

I’ve never been told to stop it for any vaccines.

[debjw in reply to KittyJ]

Just as well as I’ve got an awful flare. Trouble is I forgot and took folic this morning. Could I take methotrexate this evening as I was told I shouldn’t take it the same day or should I take it tomorrow when I have my flu jab?

[ruth_p in reply to debjw]

I would just take the mtx as soon as possible. Taking the folic acid on the same day won’t do any harm. The reason we don’t take it on the same day as the mtx is that it stops your body from absorbing the folate. I do my mtx injection in the evening so I take the folic acid in the morning as usual and then don’t have any the following morning.

[debjw in reply to ruth_p]

Thank you that’s helpful

[debjw]

Thank you.

[Hairbraid]

I saw my consultant last week asked him he said not stop methotrexate for flu or Covid said after covid vaccine might flare but carry on with it xxxx

[KASHMIRI1 in reply to Hairbraid]

I was told to not stop methotrexate by my rheumy as well. He said it was more important to

Keep things under control

[Hairbraid in reply to KASHMIRI1]

Yes mine said same 🥰

[KASHMIRI1 in reply to Hairbraid]

It seems to make sense to me

[debjw in reply to Hairbraid]

👍

[debjw]

Thank you very much all. I’m very grateful to you 😊

[Runrig01]

So 2yr ago a study was published called VROOM, which looked at the effect of stopping MTX for 2 weeks following the Covid vaccine. It was found that those who stopped, produced twice the number of antibodies to those that continued. The British Society of Rheumatology, then published advice to rheumatologists, that for patients who were stable, they should stop the MTX for 2 weeks. Here’s the details of the study:

thelancet.com/journals/lanr...

I’ve held off for the 2 weeks since this data was published, on the advice of my rheumatologist. I did put links up in 2022 & 2023 re this advice.

[Otto11 in reply to Runrig01]

Interesting. Thanks for posting.

[Runrig01 in reply to Otto11]

I’ve just updated with the BSR guidelines 👍

[Runrig01]

For some reason it won’t let me edit my previous response, but here’s the BSR guidelines

rheumatology.org.uk/news/de....

Mtx

[debjw in reply to Runrig01]

Thank you so much for this. I have a flare atm following having to stop Abatacept and methotrexate so I’ll see how I am next week.

[Runrig01 in reply to Runrig01]

This is what is in the Green book, that health professionals follow re vaccines

Green book

[debjw in reply to Runrig01]

👍

[Gymcactus]

I am having my flu vaccine on Monday and covid one on Wednesday, my R,A. is stable so will not take methotrexate for 2 weeks but am also on sulfazalazine that I continue to take.

[debjw in reply to Gymcactus]

Good luck 🤞

[Happy5]

I continue with my folic acid every day other than MTX regardless of flu jab or Covid vaccines etc, never been suggested not to.

[debjw in reply to Happy5]

👍