Methotrexate and shortness of breath

[Belv]

have been on methotrexate for 18 months and having increasing shortness of breathe . would like to hear abt similar experience

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Have you reported it to your doctors? It can be an adverse effect of methotrexate and needs to be checked out, especially if it is getting worse.

[Belv in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you very much for your reply. Yes I did this week itself and I also had a CT Chest. She suspects interstial pneumonia but may not be linked to methotrexate. She has prescribed PREDNISOLONE 60 mg daily for a month and vitamin D3 and to review in 1 month with a new CT chest

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Belv]

But MAY be linked to the MTX so better safe than sorry! You haven't had Covid have you?

[MrsNails]

I’ve just come in out of the Gardrn & Pro has beaten me to it. MTX can affect our lungs, has Consultant advised you to stop MTX for now?

Have you taken a Covid Test - just to be on the safe side!

Get Well Soon 🌺

[Belv in reply to MrsNails]

Thank you MrsNails, No consulatant has not yet concluded that the SOB is connected to MTX as according to her the patterns on the chest scan are not typical of effects of MTX. Have not taken the PCR test. the SOB started ab 6 month ago and has been worsening. I have also have taken the 2 doses of covid vaccine astra zeneca. Wrm regards

[Polymialgia]

I’ve not taken methotrexate but have suffered shortness of breath which developed quite rapidly after 5 months on prednisone, I’ve all sorts of tests , scans etc with no obvious reason, I’m pretty sure it’s the Prednisone , it’s still not good but I’ve learned to live with it and after 4 years am hopeful I’ll be off prednisone before too long and can then breathe again

[Belv in reply to Polymialgia]

Thank you Polymialgia. I am on Prednisone now for the SOB. Hope it doesn't worsen.all the best

[Katiecatweazel]

Hello Belv, my experience is that after a few months on MTX the shortness of breath was significant so I stopped taking it and feel much better after a few more months. I won't take it again. Hope you get yours checked out.

[Belv in reply to Katiecatweazel]

Thank you Katiecatweazel. Good to know that you feel better after stopping MTX. I will follow up with the consultant who had prescribed MTX and hopefully I can stop too. Best regards