To ask what to do here ?

[IceAndLemonPlease]

DH is 39 with two chronic health conditions one of these being rheumatoid arthritis. He is on methotrexate for this. He does some work in a children’s care home and also as a tutor. The problem is he keeps getting extremely run down and then ends up with a three week long cold or to the point where his throat is so sore that he cannot bear it. Just wondered if anyone else knew about this medicine and condition and could advise. I feel my parents are judging him as he has taken a lot of time off sick but they just don’t seem to get it. Right now he is in bed as been up for the last three nights feeling unwell.

Does he stop his methotrexate when he’s ill so that his body can fight the illness?
I guess in the environments he works in he is bound to come into contact with lots of germs. Short of mask wearing and lots of hand sanitising I’m not sure what else he could do, other than look for WFH jobs, is that an option?

I've been on methotrexate for psoriatic arthritis and can sympathise! Is it worth him discussing it with his rheumatologist and seeing whether switching meds is an option? Does the mtx work well otherwise? I'm on biologics now, having exhausted all the dmard meds, and don't seem to catch all the bugs any more.

He needs to discuss this with his medical team. There may be alternative meds he can try- methotrexate is cheap and effective so used as a first line treatments but other newer drugs are available.

Im on methotrexate and haven’t had any illness at all though I’ve had my flu and covid jabs.

He’s trained in health and social care so not sure how easy he would find it to get a WFH job. Generally the methotrexate does the job. He can walk more easily now and his wrists are not as sore . He gets tired easily but it’s just the amount of bugs he is getting really wipes him out and are really extreme. 😞

@JustDoItNowForChristSake bad advice about stopping methotrexate
OP, your DH needs to have a chat with the nurse specialist or his consultant

I'm 30,l with 2 kids & a FT job.
on methotrexate along with sulfasalazine & currently on a steroid treatment too due to a horrendous flare.

I feel your husbands pain, and I also get poorly constantly.
I'm currently awaiting MRI and then will be reviewing meds and looking to change to biologicals (as the methotrexate combo isn't working anyway)

He needs to go see his rheumatologist and ask for a review.

Also I have been to see the MSK OT who has fitted me for wrist splint/supports which are great as I have no strength / huge pain.

Only thing that has helped me really other than drugs has been a diet overhaul. Reducing carbs, lots of protein & veggies.
I've lost a lot of weight which helps.

But yeah RA is shit and it's ruining my life - but it's just one of them things that you have to try and power through. My pain is ridiculous and my knees / mobility are shocking at 30. But gotta just do what he can do. Rest when he needs to, but trying to move as much as possible to stop the stiffening.

Swimming is a good help. I love a hot tub to just relax all my aches.

And to add, he should be getting bloods monitored, if he's poorly he needs to ring his RA nurse to get advice on stopping the methotrexate.

I've had 3 bugs recently and I've had to stop my injections for a week/2 weeks due to infections and needing anti biotics which you can't take on the methotrexate.