Re: MTX and lung infections

[Guest guest]

You should have been there yesterday. I talk from experience. If you want more

info e-mail me personalty.

Eva

<<I'm starting to develop a little cough and some congestion and have been on

MTX for 2 weeks now. Should I run to the doctor?>>

[Guest guest]

, it may just be a chest cold developing. If you aren't running fever,

having chest pain or night sweats...I would just wait and keep an eye on the

symptoms. I am dealing with a chest infection that has been going on for 2

months now...I first started with chills, fever, cough and took two rounds of

antibiotics before they decided to do a chest x-ray that showed an infiltrate of

some kind so I had to have a CT scan which showed nodular infectious process. I

had to have a bronchoscopy and so far the preliminary results have come back

with normal results which I am glad of. I am waiting for the cultures and

smears results to see if anything grew out. But since taking the second round of

antibiotics I have had absolutely no symptoms...no cough, fever, sweats etc. I

am hoping that when I quit taking the MTX and Enbrel that my immune system went

to work again and took care of the infection. Time will tell. Good luck to you

and if your symptoms increase...then I'd call the doctor. Only two weeks on the

MTX makes me a little skeptical that your symptoms are from it...but I am not an

expert by any means!

Sharon

[Guest guest]

: definitely call you doctor and now!. It is very likely not the MTX but

a bug you've picked up and reacted to because MTX is designed to curb your

overactive immune system. Any infection can get out of control if not treated;

and during the treatment process you will likely be taken off MTX. I'm sorry

this has happened so quickly for you but it's not unusual when you're on

immunosuppressants. It's not the drug; it's just your immune system in a

weakened enough condition that it can't fight them off. I got my first one this

spring after a year and a half on Enbrel and not even so much as a cold during

all that time. Took a month to completely get rid of it because I history of

mild asthma and had to be completely well before resuming treatment.

Joanna Hoelscher

[Guest guest]

I guess everyone is different. I took MTX for 3 years without the first

infection or cold of any kind...then when they added Enbrel after four

injections..BAMMM...big chest infection....for me maybe it was the combination

of both that brought my immune system down enough for the infection to gain

control. Good luck !

Sharon

[Guest guest]

Thank you all for the many responses. It turns out, its just a cold. My husband

has it too. Although I am keeping a close eye on mine. I do not want it turning

into something more. I am seeing an ears, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor on

Thursday for the sinus/ear portion of it. An my PCP on Saturday if I'm not

feeling better in my chest.

I hate to run to the doctor for every little thing but am keeping an eye on

myself.

Overall, it has only been 2 weeks that I'm on MTX I am feeling very run down and

" off " since taking it. Has other's experienced this?

Luv,

Lap RNY 10/31/01

[Guest guest]

No disagreement here Joanna! I am just learning myself and I so appreciate you

and all the others who have been a wealth of information for me and others!

Sharon

<<Sorry to disagree Sharon but when you're newly on these drugs is the exact

time to be a bit " paranoid " and call your doctor even if it is something as

simple as a chest cold>>

[Guest guest]

:  don't worry about running to your doctor about " every little thing " . .

.. . especially in the beginning.  What seems like a simple little bug can -in

some cases - turn into a life threatening infection when your on

immunosuppressants.  It's not a reason to worry or panic - just to be cautious. 

My doc has 12 patients on Enbrel and one did have such an infection.  They

immediately took her off the drug, put her in the hospital and she got over it

and back on the Enbrel. She's the one who told me that it's OK to be a little

paranoid when you're on immunosuppressants. 

 Joanna Hoelscher

[Guest guest]

Yes, that describes it pretty well - run down and " off. " But in my case it did

get better as my body adjusted to the med.

" S. Zorzi " <szorzi_1999@...>

<<Overall, it has only been 2 weeks that I'm on MTX I am feeling very run down

and " off " since taking it. Has other's experienced this?>>