Has Anyone Suffered Complications After Continuing The RA Meds While Having An Active Infection?
Has Anyone Suffered Complications After Continuing The RA Meds While Having An Active Infection?
I have a UTI and my Dr. (primary care) put me on Cipro....this was about 5 days ago. I refused to go off my MTX and Arava because of the severe total body flares that follow about 2-3 weeks after I quit treatment. I know this can be dangerous, but I turn into an inflamed, useless body without those meds that help keep me feeling better. I think we all have to make our own decisions and then accept the consequences, good or bad. I just know that I never want to go through Pneumonia while flaring… read more
Yes, I stop the meds when I have an infection. Yes, it makes me flare. And sometimes my meds don't work when I go back on them, That's what happened with Enbrel, Humira, Orencia, and Xeljanz.
Last time I had an infection it was a 3 day antibiotic so it wasn't a big deal. I was told to keep taking prednisone and stop the methotrexate. But it didn't bother me to take it 3 days late.
The good news is that they always seem to find another drug to put me on.
Think positive!
😊
In most cases, your rheumy will want you to stop RA meds while you have an active infection/virus/on antibiotics. That's for your safety. RA meds suppress your immune system, and lowers your ability to fight off even minor infections. That can lead to some pretty disastrous consequences. Always follow your rheumy/PCP advice about whether to continue your meds if you have an infection. Not trying to scare anyone, but continuing immunosuppressive drugs while you have an infection can get real serious real fast. There may be times when your doc will continue them anyway, but that's a decision best left to them. I'm having a complication from a strep infection as we speak....caused a horrendous rash all over my body. I didn't even realize I had a strep infection! I had a couple days where I felt really cruddy & had a low grade temp, but that's par for the course with RA, right? Turns out I had an extreme immune response to the strep toxins, so now I'm on an antibiotic for the strep, and hi dose prednisone taper to help resolve this rash, but holding on any more Orencia until I'm off antibiotics. I had an absolutely MISERABLE week last week with this rash, wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Complications happen, and when they do, you gotta keep your rheumy in the loop so they know how best to treat you. 🙂
I have always stopped the meds as soon as there was any sign of infection as my Rheumi advised me of this at my first appointment and treatment which included MTX. However, if a flare up looked like it was getting ready to take off my Rheumi gave me a heavy duty shot of steroids to hold me over, and it really did wonders as far as keeping a really bad flare at bay. I have had too many medical problems and side effect issues with the RA meds to take a chance. Wish you well! - Arlene
About 18 mos ago I caught the flu from grandkids. Within 3 days had pneumoniavthen became septic and could have died. I stopped Plaquenil when I got pneumonia and refused it while seotic in hospital. I think going off briefly while healing saved my life. Also stopped it 3 weeks before new hip 4 wks ago. Its my body &infection was the leading complication after surgery bc of RA & Lupus. I made the decision. My body my right. Others need to talk tobDr and decide for themselves. I use to be an RN not a Dr but still believevas a pt I know risks and benefits so I decide for myself after discussing with MD. They dnt always like my decisions but like I said. Its my body my right.
@A myRAteam Member In case no one answered you the reason that you would get off of methotrexate during an infection is because it suppresses your immune system and you need your immune system to be effective in fighting the infection. It's the same with cancer patience if they get an infection they have to skip chemo until the infection clears up.
A myRAtea...
