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Methotrexate causing shortness of breath?

Posted , 5 users are following.

Buckeyes
Buckeyes

Has anyone else had shortness of breath after taking methotrexate?  Cardiologist seems to think that is causing it and wants me off.

2 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • lesley91928
    lesley91928 Buckeyes

    Posted

    Hi there I have been on methotrexate for over a year now I've had no problems with it at all it's not for Every one I hope u get a drug that suits you 😃
    • Buckeyes
      Buckeyes lesley91928

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply.  I've been on it 4-5 months but was diagnosed with interstitial lung disease also.  The shortness of breath came on suddenly.  I have had severely swollen ankles and feet that I thought was part of having RA but apparently it wasn't the case.  I went to a pulmonary doctor before going on it and he gave me the go-ahead.  
    • lesley91928
      lesley91928 Buckeyes

      Posted

      Let me know how u get on and hopefully it all settled downs for you and u feel better soon 😃
  • pat75783
    pat75783 Buckeyes

    Posted

    I have been having problems too short of breath and my hair is falling out also my toe nail has crumbled and my gp said I will need a operation, but they cannot do it yet because it is infected.
    • Buckeyes
      Buckeyes pat75783

      Posted

      I've recently noticed some extra hair in my brush too.  It's not "falling" out but my hair is a mess!  I'm taking 9 other meds including vitamins every day on top of 6 metho pills once a week!  I'm also on weekly Enbrel injections!  My hair feels gummy after I wash it!  My hairdresser gave me a treatment 2 days ago and we're hoping it helps!  I have nail fungus on toes and fingers too but I don't think it's related.
  • bronwyn97278
    bronwyn97278 Buckeyes

    Posted

    Hi Buckeyes;  have you been checked out by a Pulmonary Specialist?  Sometimes some Rhuematoid patients/sufferers develope what is like a "fibrosis of the lungs" as a secondary complication....with your shortness of breath, do you also feel/been told that you are retaining excess fluid in your feet etc?  If so, this maybe why the Cardiologist is concerned, as I have seen some RA people develope this complication, and after having checked this on the net, some evidence points to the use of Methotrexate??  If it were me, I would seriously talk to Rhuematologist again, ask for an appt with a Pulmonary (lung doctor) Specialist and then have all results etc taken/transferred to Cardiologist, and get some more opinions/information???  There are other drugs for RA that work just as well......hoping I have not got you more worried, and this helps to answer your question?     Keep us informed of what you decide, and how you get on....will be watching for more news......Bron
    • Buckeyes
      Buckeyes bronwyn97278

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply.  When I went to my primary doctor he did a chest X-ray that showed something.  He did send me for another X-ray and ct scan and consequent MRI. It showed interstitial lung disease.  I was sent to pulmonary dr to get it checked out.  At the time I was not out of breath.  He gave me the go-ahead for Methotrexate and a follow up ct 2 months later that showed no change.  From the start I had serious swelling in feet and ankles but thought it was the RA.  My rheumatologist must have thought so too until I told her ai had no pain with it.  Update...went to cardiologist who ran numerous tests that came back normal.  He thought it was the methotrexate.  Rheumatologist yesterday took me off of it.  Only on Enbrel.  Primary doc has me on water pills and potassium.  Breathlessness is better but not gone.  I imagine it takes a while to get out of your system!  Hoping I don't start getting worse like some that are posting on here!  Wish me luck!  Thanks
    • bronwyn97278
      bronwyn97278 Buckeyes

      Posted

      Morning Buckeyes;  I think you maybe on the right track for now....if the Diuretic helps with the "swelling in feet", and you have been started on Potassium etc, sounds good.   Do take care of your lungs, and make sure it is Continually checked, for if it should get worse, this will put more pressure on you heart (your heart will have to work harder to pump the blood around, with less oxygen in blood)....and then you will be needing more cardiac teatment.............keep me posted re how the Enbrel goes for your pain  (also keep the Rhuematologist/GP up to date, too)...will be waiting for next reply.........Bron
    • Buckeyes
      Buckeyes bronwyn97278

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply!  It's so nice to be able to discuss this with other people!  Love this site!  On another note...I'm supposed to start wearing support hose!  Yuk!  Says I have leaky veins!  Bought some to wear to church Sunday and trying to put them on killed my hands!  I guess there is some sort of device that is supposed to assist me with it.  They don't make hose compatible with shorts!  I'm going to suffocate this summer!  I will keep posted!  Thanks
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