Methotrexate question.

[ButterfliesandMoths]

Newly diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, about six months ago.
I'm on methotrexate 17.5g a week and 200g hydroxychloroquine twice daily.

I know that the methotrexate lowers your immune system.
My question is by how much.

I'm meant to be visiting my dd this week, staying for a few days, but she's let me know that she has a rotten stinking cold.

Now, I'm planning on still going but my dp thinks I should leave it until she's better.

I disagree with him as, my ds who still lives at home had a cold and I didn't catch it and also I'm out and about in the world and not catching anything.

I have had a cough for about 5 months, it comes and goes. The doctor is aware of this, my chest is clear, x-ray done. I'm currently taking a steroid nasal spray twice a day. Which does seem to helping.

I've had a flu jab, if that makes any difference.

Any advice would be really helpful.

I asked my rheumatologist about this as I’ve been recently diag with rA too. She said the meds don’t increase your risk of picking up bugs. I don’t understand how it all works, but I haven’t been sick since being on them even though DD has had the flu recently as well.

The Arthritis Research UK leaflet says 'try to avoid close contact with people with severe active infections'

I am not sure this is especially helpful as it doesn't expand on what a 'severe active infection' is. I would randomly guess flu. Or d and v. Possibly worst couple of days of a cold when you have a temperature.

Googling around (for 5 minutes), most other leaflets don't mention avoiding ill people at all or I can find one mention of chickenpox.

My DM was on methotrexate for 6 months and was given no advice of any sort about avoiding ill people.

So, is your DD getting better from her cold now or likely to be getting better by the time you visit? Are you planning to take precautions particularly doing a lot of handwashing? You do have to live your life and not be in a box.

I've been on mtx for nearly 3 years (second time around). I don't avoid anything. I've had my flu jab but other than that live as normal. I'm in London on and off the tube every day etc and don't even bother with hand gel. One caveat is I'm in my 30s and in otherwise good health (or as good as is possible with an auto immune disease ). I rarely get 'sick'. I think it's mainly bacterial infection you need to be wary about ie chest infection. I think viral things are less of a problem.

I’ve been on MTX for 15 years and work in a school surrounded by germs. I wash my hands much more often than I used to and get ill less than almost everyone else I know. I’ve had one cold in 3 years. Having said that when I do get ill it knocks me for six and takes me much longer to recover.

I've been on it years and the only thing I avoid is d&v bugs when I know someone has recently had it. I'm on biologics too so my immune system is far more suppressed. I'd never avoid a cold no matter how stinking it was.

Just get on with life (as best you can with the crappy diseases), germs are everywhere. I too rarely get colds or other illnesses either.

i had flu and pneumonia jabs this winter, but i avoid anyone who looks deathly.

i do have problems with little cuts and scratches etc not healing well.

I've taken it for a few years now. I don't actively avoid anything/anywhere. I work in an infant school so I am surrounded by children all the time with various bugs and colds. I don't find I pick things up worse than anyone else, or before i took it.

I always have a flu jab these years though.

However, if you do get anything its worth being more careful. Even smaller infections need a bit more care - I have to see my GP for even smallish infections as they need treating much sooner. I also have to be more careful with chest bugs - but more because i had pneumonia in the past (pre methotrexate) and obviously it ould need careful care these days.

Be aware that methotrexate ban contradict various other medication, even some you wouldn't even thing abut - like Bonjela for mouth ulcers!

Thanks everyone, it's nice to hear other people's views. I think on my next appointment I'll get doctor to clarify exactly what they mean and I think on this occasion I will go and see my dd but will wash hands more than normal.

FWIW my DM has been on v high dose steroids as well as the methotrexate which also suppress your immune system.

Although she has twice been hospitalized with sepsis, these have been with bugs she has got herself, not caught from other people. When she does get something, she needs to get on top of it v quickly with antibiotics not leave it be like she could before.

I think nothruroad is on to something, there are people all around on methotrexate, steroids and all sorts of immune suppressing drugs who are at work, living their lives, going on public transport and getting on with stuff.

Oh I take methotrexate. No one has mentioned avoiding germs / pretty impossible anyway since I can treat upto 20 strangers a day myself and they cough and splutter at me regularly ( yuk)
I just take the tablets and get on with life