I have been on methotrexate 20mg injections since December last year, first diagnosed with RA in Sept. I have now got a chest infection which antibiotics have treated sucessfully. However the symptoms of constant coughing and loss of voice and exhaustion keep going on for over 2 weeks now. I had my chest checked by trained nurse at GPs on Thursday. I have withheld my methotrexate this week until I feel better as advised. But I do feel my joints are starting to flare up now. Have other people experienced this kind of response to infection? Is this what it is going to be like being immunocompromised? Very worried too that after good response to methotrexate my joints will be back to square one? I also have pain behind my left eye...probably with coughing so hard.
chest infection and methotrexate: I have been on... - NRAS
chest infection and methotrexate
MTXs effect is slow to wear off. I’ve missed 4 doses recently due to surgery, and was only starting to see an increase in joint pains. It may be worth contacting your rheumatology helpline, as gps seem to be more cautious. I regularly experience extended periods of loss of voice, following chest infections, often lasting 9-10 weeks. However my rheumatologist has always been happy for me to restart my MTX, once the infection has cleared.
We all had the coughing bug and it took weeks to go. I think it’s just a long lasting thing going around or it is here as I know several friends who have had it. I’d just add most of the RA medications do have the same effect so it’s not just MTX I’m on AZA and Etanercept but only stopped them whilst taking the antibiotics as that is the standard advice here. But you should be guided by the RA nurse or perhaps go back to the GP. The only thing with the awful cough was sipping water and throat pastilles but I suspect a fruit gum would work as well.
I've never been on MTX however several years ago I would develop chest infections that would require treatment with antibiotics every few months, subsequently I discovered that it was likely due to me the fact that I was severely deficient in Vitamin D, as since my levels have significantly improved sustained with regular supplements of vitamin D & Vitamin K2, plus regular blood tests to confirm Vitamin D levels aren't too high or too low I don't experience them anymore. I have experienced Scleritis (inflammation of the eyes) in the past, it was only diagnosed after I attended A&E (as I was going back and forward between the GP and Optician with no resolutions for the pain at the back of my eye, although at one point they thought it might be dry eyes) . It might be a good idea to speak to the Rheumatology and Opticians about your eyes and visit A&E if the pain becomes severe as it can be serious if left untreated.
Hi, I’ve had previous hypogamma/under threshold immunoglobulins due to Rituximab which really can affect your immune and make you susceptible to bronchial infections as it lowers your igG (I had 24 lots of bronchitis/courses of Doxy antibiotics 2018-2022 but it doesn’t affect everyone this way in Rtx.) I never had any colds or chest infections whilst being on Mtx as a solo therapy in 8 years before any biologics were added for my RA, but if you feel Mtx is affecting you causing these episodes, then always worth mentioning to your rheumy. I think Mtx will soon resume its work in suppressing the activity of the RA inflammation, and I hope you’ll soon feel beck to where you should be. 🩷
yes similar with chest infections that take along time to go and get left with acough. I am on lefluomide and metho.
I also go to a local optician who has emergency eyeclinics which are connected to our hospitals. May be worth checking if you have similar where you live.
Tell your rheumatologist, get referred to a chest clinic to be sure. My constant cough back in ? 2019-/2018 was lung damage caused as far as I can tell by mtx; meds withdrawn and be k to wheelchair but lung power improve d from 72% to 94% within 6? months once off mtx and singing and swimming to strengthen my lungs. I was unlucky but better to check! Do GP nurses have access to clinic equipment? or just stethoscopes? Read my posts from that time. Good luck
chest infection and mtx 
Any suffered or suffering from a persistant cough since being diagnosed with RA?
Chest infection and Orencia
