Re: discontinuing methotrexate

June 4, 2008

Hi ,

In February, I had a similar experience and right away wanted to blame the

MTX, however, it turned out to be flu, that turned into bronchitis, and then i

got a whopper attack of costochondritis. I had 3 or 4 colds from November

thru February. It was not the MTX, my rheumy said it wasn't, but to stop it

for a week so the antibiotic could have full effects if i wanted to, and my

pcp didn't feel it was the MTX either, but of course he deferred to the expert.

I would not stop the MTX, but that is a personal choice. You might get all

your pain back. Remember that we already have an auto immune disease, and

our meds weaken our immune system....so, the colds we get love us and want to

stay with us longer. I'm sorry you are going through all that, maybe you need

to change how you take it? Maybe that will help you? Good luck and please

feel better soon!

Heidi

To those who believe, no explanation is necessary; to those who dont, no

explanation is possible

In a message dated 6/4/2008 9:31:36 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

mrsjdmcd@... writes:

Does anyone know if suddendly discontinuing methotrexate will cause

harm besides flaring my RA?

I'm having some issues...breathing problems, rapid heart beat, chest

pressure, fever, dry cough...that I think could be related to the mtx.

My rheumy says it's not, see your primary. Primary says says it's

either 'viral bronchitis' for the fourth time since last November or

now maybe I have allergies. Um...no sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes,

or any other allergy symptoms.

I ended up in the ER last Saturday night because I couldn't breathe.

The ER did a chest x-ray which apparently showed something the doctor

didn't like because he called a tech in to do a CT scan at 3:00 am.

When I saw my primary yesterday, he said the x-ray was " fine " . I'm so

confused and really scared to take the mtx again this week.

Any help would be appreciated.

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June 4, 2008

hi karen, maybe about a month ago or so i felt really bad. i was in major pain

on my whole left side. i could not breath, very dizzy, severe headache, and i

had a dry cough for a couple a weeks i just did not feel right. i called my pcp

& asked him should i go to the e.r. or go in to see him? i went to see him my

blood pressure was elevated,slight fever,ear infection,etc. i was admitted into

the hospital right away. they thought i was having a slight stroke or heart

attack. it was neither, THANK GOODNESS!!! they ran all kinds of tests on me, &

for one i was dehydrated, they could not get an iv in me cuz im a hard stick or

draw blood. so i had to get like a pv tube (not sure of name) put in my neck so

they could draw blood & give me fluids. I WAS SOO SCARED!! i dont know what made

me give in but i did. come to find out after being in the hospital for almost a

week, i had severe sinusitis. i still say to myself what the hell was all that

about! from the

severe stuff they thought i had to severe sinusitis! go figure!! in conclusion

to your answer, i had to STOP taking mtx because of the infection i had & the

antibiotics i was taken. it has something to do with the mixture of mtx &

antibiotics not working right..... i hope i could be of some help..god

bless,melyndagamez 6/4/08 10:30a.m.central time

Re: [ ] discontinuing methotrexate