methotrexate and covid booster

[Gladjake]

hi all ,I am on methotrexate injections for RA and supposed to be having covid booster Saturday I have always had the boosters but a bit reluctant this time .ive had a bit of a problem with my feet which is now settling down I have been told to miss 2 the methy jabs for 2 weeks after covid booster but don’t want to risk feet getting too bad again,I am considering missing this booster and waiting till the October one bit of a stupid question really but don’t know which way to go can’t pester rheu my ( if I could get hold of them anyway) when people have much more serious issues than this any thoughts please thanks

[Lolabridge]

A difficult decision for you BUT there has been a recent definite increase in COVID cases and the experts believe it’s the start of a new wave likely to peak in May. UKHSA dashboard shows cases up in England and in Scotland wastewater analysis show rates have doubled.

Maybe get the booster anyway and try skipping one MTX dose to see how you cope and then decide whether you could skip another or not. Good luck.

x.com/buds_uk/status/190967...

[Boxerlady]

I'd have the vaccination but not bother to skip the Methotrexate

[ruth_p in reply to Boxerlady]

This is what I was thinking.

[bpeal1]

This is what I would do personally and obviously not advice - you will have to make your own decision. There is a recommendation if your disease is well controlled to stop methotrexate for two weeks after a covid vaccination as it may increase the effectiveness of the vaccine. However, if stopping it will likely cause a flare it’s probably not worth stopping it as a flare could reduce the effects of the vaccine. Therefore I would have the vaccination but not stop the methotrexate and just be aware I might not have quite such good protection as last time (but still better than no protection!). As I said this has to be a personal choice and this is purely what I would do in your situation.

[Gladjake in reply to bpeal1]

Thankyou all for replies it has helped I think it’s probably sensible to have the booster

[medway-lady]

I don’t know about MTX but stopped the AZA as used to be instructed and the RA did flare then my Nephrologist disagreed with RA consultant and said keep taking RA meds. Then my advice was to continue so I have. I don’t actually know if it’s made a difference to effectiveness of vaccine though.

[Mama-K]

I had my booster yesterday, I was not told to avoid the methotrexate. I would say that have the booster & the methotrexate because even if it is less effective it is more effective than not having it at all

[Pepperpot22]

I asked my RA nurses about this. She said if you can skip 1 or 2 weeks of methotrexate after the vaccine there is some evidence that the you get better protection. But not to worry if you don’t want to, just to have the vaccine & carry on the methotrexate as usual.

[Fullofheart]

I wasn't advised to stop methotrexate or abatacept injections when I had the booster couple months ago. Maybe worth checking.

[oldtimer2]

It's always a balance between stopping the drugs and risking a flare and possibly having a less than full response to the vaccine. As methotrexate is long acting, it seems to me that stopping it has little effect in most people over a two week period, so I, personally in your position, wouldn't risk it. The booster will probably be enough to do just that - boost your immunity to Covid19.

[oopsnoname]

The NRAS booklet on Methotrexate says nothing about stopping the Meth if you have a Covid jab so based on this I haven't even mentioned to my Rheumatology team that I was having the Covid booster. Too late now!!! I had my Covid booster on Tues and took my Meth today.

[Gladjake in reply to oopsnoname]

Hi to all that replied to my post I had my booster this morning and have decided to just miss 1 1 meth jab not 2 thanks for all the advise I found it very helpful

[Mall]

I had the booster and then just missed one dose as my feet are playing up and I need to be able to get out and about at the moment. I know that I can manage 1 week without significant flaring. We are all different so this may not be so for you.

You know your body best, why not have the booster, it will give you some immunity then make your own mind up about missing one or two doses or not.