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Methotrexate reduced immunity and work

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vickyw75
vickyw75

Hi. I'm a Newbie on here although not with methotrexate. I'm on 20mg metroject a week which I'm finding much better than oral in terms of side effects. Also maybe working a bit better to reduce pain but not sure.

I'm worried about my immunity which I know is suppressed but it's in relation to work and sickness. I'm picking up all sorts of bugs and viruses from colleagues and clients that I work with, I'm a social worker working with elderly and based in a health centre. I don't go into work when I'm ill so that I don't pass anything on but finding that people seem to be more inclined to struggle into work when they're not well, I expect through fear of absence monitoring etc.

Does anyone else have problems with this, I'm expecting to run into problems and no doubt get referred to occupational health because of it but I can't see how I can avoid being off if I catch something. Any tips for helping immunity or avoiding illness?

1 like, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • 1_hand_works
    1_hand_works vickyw75

    Posted

    Hi. I think you are better off getting referred to Occ Health anyway. Are you in the UK? If you are, depending on what your diagnosis is, you should be covered under the Equality Act. This means your employer should not discriminate against you for being off sick if it is related to your condition. Because you are immunosuppressed, you shouldn't be worried about passing your germs on, you should be more worried about picking up someone elses germs! I was on MTX tablets and didn't tolerate them, so I have been on Metoject as well. If you work with acutely unwell clients, you can't really avoid it, but you do need to be careful you don't expose yourself to something that your immune system can't cope with. I presume seeing as you aren't new to MTX, so you are taking the folic acid?

    Since starting it, I have have more chest infections, skin reactions and urine infections than I care to shake a stick at. I am trying something different now, as it hasn't worked. Good luck to you, sorry I can't give you any tips, as everything I tried didn't work out! I tried multivitamins, just Vit C. cranberry juice, grapefruit juice, nuts, used barrier cream at work etc.etc.etc.But I think you should let Occ Health know at least, so they can help you if you need any support. I know what it is like when you are conscious of being off all the time, especially in the public sector!

    • vickyw75
      vickyw75 1_hand_works

      Posted

      Thanks!!

      It's not so long since I saw occupation health although it was related more to my mental health than physical health. I don't want to make a fuss about it and cause probems, it just feels so selfish of people to come into work when they shouldn't but much of that is the fear that HR put on people about being off work.

      There are actually 3 people in the same team on mtx! I'm not sure about statistics for general population but seems quite a high percentage in a team of maybe 20 people!! I'm also on sulphasalazine and there is another not on mtx who is also on sulphasalazine! So 4 in total with compromised immune systems.

      I think I'll speak to someone from HR about it and see if there's any support they can offer us.

  • lucynewas
    lucynewas vickyw75

    Posted

    Don't be afraid of occupational health. Use the appointment to get adjustments documented with your employer. Flexibilities over short term triggers for starters. I'm an OH professional, so PM me if I can help. Have you applied for PIP? I can give you info to check if you qualify.
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