breathlessness

[elainep46]

hi ive just been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritus and just started on MTX but ive been really breathless for a long while now and even doing daily things like housework is bad it gets really worse when carrying shopping home could this be RA that,s making me this way.

[sylvi]

Get in contact with your rheumotologist and let them know as its a side effect of mtx. How long have you been on mtx?

Sylvi.

[elainep46 in reply to sylvi]

ive only just started them 1 dose all ive had the breathlessness has been for a while now but ive put on alot of weight it seemed to pile on in mths without really noticing it.

[helixhelix in reply to elainep46]

Putting on extra weight doesn't help. Imagine if you were trying to carry the extra weight as several large bags of shopping....if that would make you puffed out then could well just be the weight.

[cathie]

If you've only just started mtx it could be something else, so keep your mind open about it. Good luck, cathie

[Gina_K]

How are your iron levels? Anaemia can cause breathlessness and is also quite common with RA?

[helixhelix]

If you've been breathless for a while then go and see your GP as may well be something other than RA. It can be a symptom of lots of things, even just being a bit unfit & with a few extra pounds weight, so don't worry but do get it checked out.