HAPPY NEW YEAR 
sorry, i wondered if anyone has this problem and any tips would be great how to get over it, I've been drinking lots of water, has settled a bit.
I also wondered should I take my methetrexate today as I wasn't sure if cystitis could progress into a bladder infection?
Wiliby i know it affects you if your on antibiotics,but not sure about cystitis. Mt best advice to you is to ring the hospital nearest to you and ask. If they give you antibiotics for your cystitis then no you can't have your mtx. not sure if this helps. sylvi.xx
Hi to you both *waves* and happy new year!
Can I ask what makes you think its cystitis?
It's just for me while I was on enbrel I had repeat bladder infections.
And I would only notice I had one first off all because I needed the toilet more, then I would get lower back pain but in the kidney area.
With me I take mst morphine slow release so I never noticed the first mild effects the stinging when passing water etc I only noticed it when it got bad, that's until my doctor warned me to look out for the need to urinate little and often, feeling like you need to but you don't, the stinging which I couldn't feel, lower back pains means its gone into kidney infection and with mine you could see and feel the inflamation.
If you haven't already been to the doctor I advise you do, take a sample with You they can normally dip test it there and then as antibiotics may be needed.
Mine took 6 lots off antibiotics, having a bladder and kidney scan and lots off monitoring before it cleared up and I was told enbrel was the reason mine kept coming back, but I also had the same problem with chest infections while taking enbrel.
Hope you get it sorted soon
Take care x Julie x
Hi Wiliby - Happy New Year. I am on MTX and have just had a mild bout of cystitis as well. Haven't had it for years. The best thing I have found to help is to drink loads of cranberry juice. This sorted me out in about 24 hours. Hope this helps. x
Hi, I don't think Cystitis has any affect on or caused by RA or the drugs used to treat it.
As your drinking lots of water continue with that and see your doctor if it doesn't get any better. Also, Cranberry juice is good for Cystitis and supposedly for stomach problems too.
Hope it clears up soon.
Beth x
Thanks guys, I'll ring in the morning Sylvi just to be careful,
Julie (we haven't seen you blog for a while!?) I've had cystitis before, the stinging is whats giving it away however that is startling to settle down but I'm starting to need to go a lot more frequent 
good idea, I'll take a sample with me... how are you getting on now? I remember you stopped enbrel but has it been replaced?
I'll get some today Walklands and Beth or get someone to get it for me! yikes I'm meant to be going out for Lunch in an hour but have an hours drive first!
haha have to ahem....go xx
The cranberry juice.. definately helps.. make sure they know your are taking methotrexate.. the most commonly used antibiotic for u.t.i is trimethoprin. this is potentially dangerous with methotrexate .
very helpful! thanks Alison xx
Hi Wilerby,
No Ive not Blogged for a while or been on much, to cut a long story short (sore hands) I'm waiting still to start new treatment rituximab starts for me in January I've been told however not been given a date yet.
So hoping for improvements from that.
I've not Blogged for a while due to hands, and being back at work against advise off doctor but I was/ still am getting the feeling if i don't improve on my working hours I'm out the door. They (my employers) have just requested a medical report from my doctor, and some off the questions are is Julie fully fit to work, how long do you expect her illness to last, how many days absence should we expect, etc etc not looking promising though when the only reason my doctor agrees with me being in work is because its better for my mental health, not sending me nuts being at home or feeling useless.
So at the mo I'm pinning all my hopes on this new treatment.
Hope you get your problem sorted soon Take care Julie x
I've been wondering about how you were, glad your hopefully starting new treatment soon, read some good things about rituximab, will you keep us posted?
Shame about your work though, all you need it some time, I understand about the need to go, I'd be lost without my job; then again even though i'm doing really well my work are also putting me through a doctors and OH report in the next couple of weeks with similiar questions being asked...
the 'how long will her illness last'!!!! thats a bit cheeky or maybe it's standard practise.
I've replied on other question, i'm fine now but have Amy clinging on so have to go for a cuddle!
Take care and thanks for your help x
Received a phone call this evening Rituximab treatment starts on Monday xx nervous but excited (hoping it works)
Sorry to hear your being put through the same at work, really upsets me they treat us this way after so many years service.
Thats fantastic! gosh, have butterflies for you :0
would love to hear how you get on x
I do not take methatrexate now, as it didn't agree with me. I do take enbrel and I think the reduced imune system it creates does give me injections, including cystitis. I now had antibiotics in my cupboard which the dr. prescribed and when it have the problem I take them and they get some more for the cupboard. See if you can do the same.
Muffin.
Rare side effect 
Nasty side effect?
Side effects methotrexate 
Side Effects of lefludomide
MTX side effect? 
