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Dry violent cough started day after first methotrexate injection

Posted , 7 users are following.

gwenno160686
gwenno160686

First time posting in any ra forum but need some advice while I wait for rheum nurse to phone back. I was diagnosed with jia about 17 years ago (pretty much all my joints Appart from my hips and shoulders). By my mid 20s I had no flares or even morning stiffness and genuinely believed I had 'grown out of it' as I was told that could happen and I was no longer on any medication. Well after having my daughter last year it came back with a vengeance and after being in denial for a long time I've finally gone back on methotrexate. I had my first injection on Friday (starting on 15mg). I felt pretty terrible all day Friday and Saturday I started with a horrible dry cough. So violent at times I'm actually sick. Has anyone else experienced this with methotrexate or is it just a coincidence it started a day after my first shot? Thank you in advance for any replies ?

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • AlexandriaGizmo
    AlexandriaGizmo gwenno160686

    Posted

    Hi Gwen cannot respond with an answer because I have never used it, I was offered it year's ago but hate to say it but after lot's of investigation I chose to let nature, exercise and herbs and spices be my treatment.

    I would probably contact the rheumatology dept a ring and see what they suggest, are you eating properly and drinking lots of fluids and very little caffeine, I use loads of tumeric as it's a antiinflammatory and garlic and more

  • carol303055
    carol303055 gwenno160686

    Posted

    Hi Gwen, that's rotten, being lulled into a false sense of security for it to come back and bite you on the backside. I suppose some might say it's interesting that it returned after you had your baby, though I suspect that's not what you'd say!

    ?Regarding your query, it seems a bit of a coincidence for it not to be related though I have no personal experience. I certainly have experience of Methotrexate affecting the lungs though. I now have lung fibrosis related to (oral) Methotrexate though it took much longer to develop. I don't want to frighten you and many people use this drug with apparently no problems but something to bear in mind. Best wishes. Carol 

  • martin31040
    martin31040 gwenno160686

    Posted

    Hi, I was put on methotrexate tablets, after one week of taking them I ended up in A&E with terrible gut issue's, never took any more methotrexate, went to GP he said stop taking, got in touch with Rheumatologist told him of events, long story short, he got me on biological drug Benepali, for me Benepali works great and no side effects, I think this is the way to go biological drugs, the criteria for getting biologics is some tests and you have to have tried at least 2 different medication what didn't work or stopped working.

  • gwenno160686
    gwenno160686

    Posted

    Hi everyone ☺ thanks for all the the replies. Turns out to be a chest infection. Week of antibiotics and skip the next methotrexate injection. Dr said I must of had something brewing and the methotrexate might have just pushed me over the edge. Both of my kids have started with colds today so it makes a bit of sense.
    • blair97497
      blair97497 gwenno160686

      Posted

      Thanks for closing the loop on that one Gwenno, always good to hear the outcome.

      I can understand why you’d be concerned. 

      It is a bummer that the disease has become an issue again. Here’s hoping that you find successful treatment and relief from your symptoms again. 

  • Gloria814
    Gloria814 gwenno160686

    Posted

    so happy to hear that you are on antibiotics for a chest infection and you can resume methotrexate when you are over the infection

      Best wishes and enjoy your little ones!

      Gloria

  • debbie_39876
    debbie_39876 gwenno160686

    Posted

    Hi .. I was the same . Mine was so bad I couldn't breath . Had to go to hospital on numerous occasions because the cough was so bad I was gasping for breath .. I had this cough for two years as methotrexate was my last resort . In the end my specialist took me off it and now on biologics. Hopefully yours don't last as long as mine did

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