Missed MTX dose..

[Tonkie]

hi

this is my first time missing a dose as I’m on antibiotics for an infection. I was supposed to have my dose on Tuesday. I’m only on 20mg. Last night I couldn’t sleep due to the pain in my legs. They were so achey and tight and stiff. They drove me mad. Today I’ve woke up and everything is so tight and my legs are like jelly! I used to get this feeling a lot before Hydroxy/MTX started, but I hadn’t realised it stopping until it’s come back! Is this all because I missed one dose? My heel pain is starting and pain in my fingers also. Is there anything else I could take that you don’t have to stop each time you get an infection? As I get infections a lot with 3 kids bringing back bugs constantly. I’ve not been on MTX long, only 2 months. The hangovers with it are annoying.. but I think this pain/achiness/tightness/jelliness is worse.

Any advice welcome

Thanks

[michaellasmith Administrator]

Good Morning Tonkie,

Sorry to read about your difficult experience following a missed dose of your treatment, did you speak to your doctor or a healthcare professional about this?

Warm regards,

Michaella

[Tonkie in reply to michaellasmith]

hi, I’m actually having to miss 3 doses (so far) I have had infections for 3 weeks now and I’m not responding to antibiotics. My white blood count is too high so they called me in again this week and put me on a third course of antibiotics and sent off samples to the lab. Rheumatology pharmacy said they would give me steroid injections into my joints if I flare up.. but I’m struggling the most with stiffness all over my body. I’ve only had swelling in a few fingers, but my knees, hips and heels are so painful now not sure what to do really. I don’t cope on steroids very well and I’ve been on them far too much over the last 7 years. The kids are off school and I’m struggling to move around. I didn’t realise how much MTX was helping until I’ve had to stop it 🥺 the exhaustion is back badly I think from inflammation and having this infection. Really fed up and not sure what I do as it’s my first infection on MTX. It had only just started bringing me some relief and then I had to come off it and I’m back to square one. I get Haemaphilus infections every couple of months without MTX, im worried this will happen frequently. Do you know of any other DMARD they could possibly give me that I don’t have to stop taking with every infection? I’ve been referred to ENT and I’m hoping they can help with sinusitis. But I get pneumonia frequently too. I’m going to speak to the doctor and ask them to look into why I keep getting taken out with Haemaphilis.. it’s been going on for 10 years. So sorry for the emotional outburst, I’m really frustrated now. I feel like rheumatology may take me off altogether as my immune system was so rubbish to begin with 😔

[michaellasmith Administrator in reply to Tonkie]

Hi there Tonkie,

So sorry you are feeling so unwell still and feeling so down about things, you do not need to apologize, you have been through a lot.

Please do call us on the helpline on 01708 731251 (9am - 5pm) if you ever need some general advice or a chat.

Unfortunately I am unable to offer medical advice, your Rheumatologist is the best person to ask about medications available in your area or those that are safe for you to take.

I hope things ease up for you soon!

Warm regards,

Michaella