Methotrexate

[Tijuanaman]

Hi I am on Methotrexate for PMR and now have an irritating cough tests are clear and I wondered if this is a common side effect of MTX

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Listed as a possible side effect in patients information leaflet -but as you've been checked out as suggested, it might just be something you have to endure .

[Tijuanaman in reply to DorsetLady]

Hi thank you it is maybe having an irritating effect don’t know anyone else with the cough so wasn’t sure if the methotrexate was the cause

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Tijuanaman]

As said could be a combination of the drug and the colder atmosphere, but distressing nevertheless. Hope it soon improves.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

What SORT of tests? Have you had an x-ray?

[Tijuanaman in reply to PMRpro]

Hi thanks I’ve had X-ray and breath tests which were fine was wondering if it goes away over time too soon to reduce methotrexate

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Tijuanaman]

One of MTXs nasty adverse effects is on lungs so you do need make sure they are taking it seriously.

Is it just a cough or are you breathless too?

[Tijuanaman in reply to PMRpro]

I’ve had the cough for over a year but I’m not breathless and am fine when I am walking or exercising but I was wondering if you could have the cough without it causing any other problems

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Tijuanaman]

If you aren't breathless then it is less of a concern. You can have drug induced coughs on their own without a real problems.

[Tijuanaman in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you PMRpro that’s reassuring i’m not keen to stop metho as the pred had more side effects

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Tijuanaman]

Lucky you! I felt worse on MTX than I had ever felt, even with 5 years untreated PMR!!!

[Tijuanaman in reply to PMRpro]

Five years must have been horrible I was lucky and had my PMR diagnosed in less than a year it seems a lottery with the medication though

[Bailybiscuit in reply to Tijuanaman]

I buy the Olbas oil from pharmacies as I don't think that is available on prescription, the price varies in different places quite a lot.

[Tijuanaman in reply to Bailybiscuit]

I’ll give Olbas Oil a try thank you

[Bailybiscuit in reply to Tijuanaman]

I hope it works

[Oxfordboy2]

Hi,I am on Methotrexate for the last 2 years and started at 20mg.As soon as I hit the freezer aisles in the supermarket it was cough ,cough,cough.The onset of winter also brought it on and also any cold drinks.My GP sent me for chest x rays,all came back fine.This winter I have been fine,no cough.I have put it down to reducing my MTX to 15mg.

[Tijuanaman in reply to Oxfordboy2]

Hi thanks I’m ok with cold drinks but coming in out the cold sets me off too the methotrexate is working well for me so I’m a bit wary of reducing yet hopefully some warmer weather will help

[KASHMIRI1]

Hello! I take methotrexate and at the outset was warned by my rheumy to be aware that methotrexate can cause a cough and sometimes quite bad. He said if it gets very bad to stop it and seek help, asap. You may have just picked up a seasonal bug thats taking its time to clear. Just be aware that the meth can cause it.

[Tijuanaman in reply to KASHMIRI1]

Hi my rheumy doesn’t think the cough is caused by the methotrexate but I haven’t seen him so I’m glad of any information before my next appointment

Thank you

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Tijuanaman]

Are you on any blood pressure medication - Ramipril can cause a dry irritating cough for some..

[Tijuanaman in reply to DorsetLady]

No my blood pressure is usually okay

I’m seeing GP next week so maybe find out more then

Thank you

[MrsNails]

Have you had a Chest X-Ray?

[Tijuanaman in reply to MrsNails]

Hi yes the chest X-ray was clear and lung function was 98% I think I was just hoping the cough was something you got on methotrexate and if there was anything that would clear it up

[MrsNails in reply to Tijuanaman]

Hi, my Acupuncturist has had the ‘90day cough’ as did as my husband, both have had Chest X-rays & both are clear.

My husband’s cough has now subsided but it was awful & persistent.

On Christmas Eve 2022 l started with a cough & it appeared to be 3 seperate viruses/infections & it started to improve at the beginning of March following Antibiotics & a Becotide Inhaler.

I stopped my MTX on Christmas Eve 2022 & have not restarted it despite the clear X-ray. My New Consultant believes my PMR is in remission & since last year l have reduced my Prednisone down to 5mg - l have to stay on 5mg until l see him at the end of February.

You should really have a chat with your Consultant, l kept in touch with the Rheumatology Team during this period.

Hope the cough goes soon 🍀

Kind Regards

MrsN

[Tijuanaman in reply to MrsNails]

Thank you I have an appointment in April and will probably ask about tapering the methotrexate that’s good your pred is at 5 hope you can reduce further and stay in remission

Thank you for your reply

[MrsNails in reply to Tijuanaman]

Thank You 🙏🏼

[Bailybiscuit]

I seem to have a cough a lot and my nose gets blocked at night. I was sent by my GP to the lung clinic. I had all the tests and was told I didn't have asthma but was asthmatic. I was prescribed an inhaler with steroids in and a large bottle with crystals to squirt up my nose every night until the water ran out of the other nostril. I went back to my GP who had previously refused to let me have an inhaler with steroids in as she was trying to get me off steroids, also she has always said my cough was allergy related. I told her I didn't really want to be using that inhaler daily but would use the one she prescribed when I needed it. As for the stuff to squirt up my nose I never used that but sprinkle Olbas oil on my pillow nightly. My GP really only wanted to know if my lungs were ok by me having a CT scan and they were. This was a few years ago now though.

[Tijuanaman in reply to Bailybiscuit]

Hi Bailybiscuit I take a Relvar inhaler once a day for mild asthma don’t need reliever unless I have the cold but I find my sinuses are blocked when I lie down in bed so I’ll mention that to my GP

Thank you

[PMRCanada]

I know of one person who had PMR and started/stopped MTX twice due to an ongoing cough (that felt like an irritation or tickle in her throat, but the related cough was dry and never produced anything). Once she got off MTX the second time, she never went back on it and the annoying cough stopped. She chalked it up as a side effect of MTX.

Perhaps you could try holding you MTX for a week or two (with physician consultation), and see if the cough persists or wanes? Just a thought. Hope you get a resolution either way.

[Tijuanaman in reply to PMRCanada]

That’s good to know as I do think the MTX is causing my cough and I will probably have to come off for it to stop the hope is reducing it will work without the PMR flaring up

Thank you

[AtopicGuy]

Like you, I have mild asthma that is controlled by a daily (steroid) preventer inhaler. I also use a (steroid) nasal spray to keep my sinuses clear. Coughs are not uncommon, but if they last a long time, they become important.

Is your cough dry, itchy and non-productive of phlegm? Or do you easily cough up phlegm to clear your tubes every day? Or does phlegm rattle around in your lungs during many coughs before finally coming up and giving a bit of relief?

[Tijuanaman in reply to AtopicGuy]

Hi it started off a dry cough but now have phlegm just got tablets to help clear it and getting an asthma check don’t know if it’ll help but worth a try

[AtopicGuy]

If the phlegm rattles around endlessly, there's a clever treatment. It seems to work when the cause is autoimmune.

[Tijuanaman in reply to AtopicGuy]

If been prescribed a tablet for the phlegm and changed asthma medication so hopefully that will help 🤞🏻