Other Med Override Xolair? Questions!

October 13, 2007

I finally took my first dose of methotrexate on Wed. night for seronegative

rheumatoid arthritis and had a very unpleasant response. It was like a

combination of a very bad allergy attack and the beginnings of an infection. My

nose bled, my head was stopped up, my nose, tongue, throat were " on fire " , I was

dizzy (still am somewhat), my nose ran clear mucous while I was asleep (all over

when I woke up) and I felt like I was completely dried up. My brain was

absolutely dulled out - couldn't remember how to get to certain places around

town. This sounded a little like some of my reactions to antihistamines but

there was no antihistamine involved in several weeks.

Is it possible for another drug to override the benefit of Xolair? This

reaction was something I would have had last fall (a year ago) if I had spent

the day doing heavy gardening - dirt, pollen, mold, vegetation - all major nasty

triggers, but, in fact, I had not been exposed to any of the more severe

triggers. Furthermore, I've been on Xolair since March and noticed this fall

that I'm definitely better off than I was a year ago at this time. Not free

from allergy (still take Advair and Spiriva every day) but definitely more

comfortable with fewer symptoms.

The only difference was the methotrexate which is known to cause infection in

some people. Even my upper lip was partially swollen and a little sore spot got

much more sore. But, I didn't think that my experience was at all the typical

experience w/methotrexate - in fact, it seemed very allergic. So, I'm wondering

if methotrexate simply removed the benefit of Xolair or if I really did have an

allergic reaction to the other med because I haven't been on Xolair long enough

for complete protection (if that indeed ever happens)?

The rheumy gave me this drug because of my very high test results re

inflammation plus definite arthritic history. She didn't know if the high

inflammation was from asthma (life long allergies) or arthritis. That's another

$64 question - how does one differentiate? I'm hard to treat because of all my

allergies and it looks like I'm going to have to come up with my own treatment.

Questions, questions, questions!

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