Methotrexate - anyone on it?

[TheVampiresWife]

Finally got my meds for my RA sorted after almost two years unmedicated - the one I was on previously gave me hellish side effects, so I came off it with the intention of starting something else last March, but covid hit and my appointment was cancelled. Phone consultation today and it was agreed that I'd go back on subcut methotrexate (the drug I tolerated best in the past) in the next week or two.

Obviously I'll talk to my consultant when I go for my appointment but in the meantime, what's the situation re mtx and Covid - I know it dampens the immune system, so does that mean you're more at risk? I know some people on immunosuppressant drugs had to shield, was mtx one of them? My RA has been really active lately and I know that flares make you more at risk but not sure where the land lies re drugs.

Double jabbed by the way.

If you’re already double jabbed then you should be ok. My understanding is that having the jab whilst your immune system is dampened down whilst on Methotrexate is what causes the problem.

@Burtknowsbest

If you’re already double jabbed then you should be ok. My understanding is that having the jab whilst your immune system is dampened down whilst on Methotrexate is what causes the problem.

Ah that's reassuring, thank you!

Hi! I take methotrexate and was put on the sheilding list. But was in group 4 so got my jab early.

I bloody love it though. Its really really helped with my arthritis and I don't get side effects .

On Mtx for eczema. Told me in March this year I was c e v, which would have been good to know 12 months ago.

Also dermatologist told me that I previously had an overactive immune system.

I know it's not RA but by the time you need MTX for eczema it is bad:)

I'm waiting to go on mtx, @Evergibbon thats encouraging.
.I'm on oral steroids and other drugs atm. My understanding is that steroids are actually worse than mtx as regards covid outcome and vaccine immunity. I was advised to shield.

I was on methotrexate injections until about 2 weeks ago (came off because I didn’t feel it was doing anything for me, my own choice), I was on 20mg a week for lupus. My rheumatologist told me that the idea with methotrexate is that it reduces your immune system to that of a “normal” person - with lupus and RA your immune system is over active, by taking methotrexate it should just reduce it to normal levels, that’s why you have so many regular blood tests whilst on it to check your immune system is still working and it isn’t affecting your red blood cells (this is why you should also be taking 5mg folic acid every day except methotrexate day). Keeping this in mind you shouldn’t actually be immuno suppressed whilst taking it - the whole point is to keep your immune system working at the correct level.