Coronovirus and methotrexate (Sorry more Coronavirus!)

[movewiththetimes]

Hello! I currently take 20mg of methotrexate, weekly. I'm about anxious at the thought of getting coronavirus. How do others on immunosuppressant meds feel? And what extra precautions are you taking?

Thanks Random We will do the same then.

oh that's true I can at least do weather stuff still.

You lot can be the first to see this.

My family have pointed out that least it won't ruin any travel plans.

Thank you everyone, nice to talk to some people who understand! It is true, we do just tend to keep on going even when things are tough.
Some rest and relaxation sounds good. However with 3 boys at home now I will have to see how that goes!

I live alone, but working on the phone and email for an hour every morning now.

I work in a school, but my job is all about staff attendance, so I'm still needed.

We have a small team in every day and I need to make sure that goes smoothly. I doubt tomorrow will be smooth tbh. Boris gave us so little time to organise.

We've got SLT leading various teams, who will all work on the same day every week, so as not to cross contaminate the other teams. Half the school has been deep cleaned over the weekend and 3 spaces are as sterile as can be. The other half of the school will be done this week and then the 'schooling' will move over there. Back and forth with cleaning in between, until it's over I believe.

Such a lot of organising in such a short time. Our poor head teacher looked rung out, when he spoke to everyone on Thursday.. It's his first year as our head too.

He's doing a fantastic job.

Gosh, that's so much work and thought that has gone into it.
My business has been decimated, so tomorrow is taking stock. It's hard to find space to think though, small house and the others need to do their stuff too. If it were warmer, it would be awfully tempting to clear out the garden shed and turn it into an office. Except I don't have the supplies I need to do that.

My husband is taking methotrexate. He has RA. Is it advised that he shouldn't work ? I just came across this thread and seen the medication mentioned.

@Lipz the drugs suppress his immune system so he is in the vulnerable at risk category so like over 70s should be self-isolating along with the household.

Thank you for your reply. I really appreciate it.

I'm glad I saw this thread. I'm newly diagnosed with RA and I have an appointment on Tuesday which is supposed to be about starting on DMARDs. I'm so worried about becoming immunosuppressed and having all the social/medical contact that I will need for the initial dose adjustments, and also worried that the situation at the moment will mean that I won't be able to start and my RA will progress. It's taken years already to get to this point and now it could be another six months or more.

Also really kicking myself for not arranging my baseline eye test for hydroxychloroquine sooner because I now can't find any opticians open for appointments at all.

Does anyone know if untreated RA is a risk factor? I have been worrying about cytokine storms and lung inflammation but haven't been able to find any information specifically pertaining to RA. I am also very much not used to thinking of myself as vulnerable.

Oh gosh Over501, what a worry. I guess it depends on your local NHS and whether or not they can cope with routine appointments. And mine wasn't firm about the eye test, as long as I promised to do it.

I had RA for at least 5 years, looking back, before it was finally diagnosed.

I really hope you manage to get the medication that you need.

Hope everyone is OK and still feeling as well as possible.

We had only 12 students in school today apparently. Looks like people in my area are taking things seriously, although I can still hear children playing in the park over the back from me.

I've kept myself busy today with a bit of painting and did some washing. I'm loathed to do too much in one day, because we've got a lot of days! Might cut the grass tomorrow and plant up some seeds.

A friend messaged to say he was in Tesco's and did any of our group of friends want anything, so he got me a couple of bits.

The sun is streaming through the windows now and it's lovely and warm. Might have to have a little nap!

Keep smiling!

Hi, I'm on methotrexate for eczema but also have MS and asthma. Just wondering if any of you have heard from the NHS? I'm staying inside and WFH anyway just interested to know if these meds mean we are on the very high risk list.

I haven't heard anything, but staying in just in case.. I keep checking Versus Arthritis website for updates, but there's nothing concrete.

What do you reckon are the chances of me being able to collect my new glasses today? Specsavers says it's open to essential and emergency services only.

My new glasses are pretty essential, although I do have a pair. The prescription has changed though, so potentially 3 months before I'm wearing the right ones. And given I'm on hydroxychloroquine, they are reasonably essential.

Did I just answer my own question?

What did you decide?

I asked DD at about 10am this morning, after I'd phoned the opticians and the chemist. Both were expecting her. She's just text to say, she's just getting dressed!

Sorry, I didn't mention I had a prescription to collect as well!

Has anyone received this letter from the NHS telling them to stay in for 12 weeks? I really thought my mum would have met the criteria for one but she's not had anything yet.

I haven't, but I found this about immune suppressants. In the tables at the bottom, it lists the medication and the risk factors.

https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2020/03/clinical-guide-rheumatology-patients-v1-19-march-2020.pdf

Has anyone had any more advice regarding methotrexate? Thanks.

Thanks so much for that MaureenMLove. It's driving us crazy trying to figure out what to do. My mum won't stop work unless someone from the NHS tells her to & so far we can't seem to get someone to confirm it. Hopefully showing her this will convince her someone with GCA, on methotrexate, who also is asthmatic with 3 inhalers, shouldn't be working at the moment!!

This is the guidance for hospitals for dermatology patients:
www.bad.org.uk/shared/get-file.ashx?itemtype=document&id=6648

Just had a telephone appointment with rheumatology. My condition is not being controlled with hydroxychloroquine and 5mg predisolone and I'm in a lot of pain.

As I expected the news was not good.

Their new covid19 protocol is that no changes are to be made to drug regimes. That means no patient can go on different DMARDs and no change to steroids if already on them.

I have been told I have to manage with painkillers until it's deemed safe to try methotrexate. I am already on immune suppressive drugs for cancer and in the most vulnerable category but the rule applies to everyone.

I asked what their contingency plan was for when we can no longer get hold of hydroxychloroquine (it's being stockpiled worldwide as a potential treatment for CV). I was told no new patients are allowed to be given it and if supplies do dry up would be rationed on a case by case basis.

Oh no, that sounds really rough for you. I'm sorry you're having to manage your pain yourself too. No amount of pain killers can help really, can they? Not without feeling like a zombie.

The stock piling worries me too. I've just got a prescription, so I've got 3 months worth, but is it morally right, given the enormity of why it's being stock piled, to put another repeat in next week?