((((((((((((((((((jean)))))))))))))  that was a runt of a rant, jean.<smile>
you deserve a bigger rant than that.  seriously, though, i hope this clears
up quickly for you and that you feel better soon.

kate
(sometimes i think the japanese have it right--considerately wearing
nose/mouth masks in public, whenever they have an upper-respiratory thing
going on.)

I'm on methotrexate -- 8 pills weekly -- and it seems to be doing an okay
job, along with the other assorted drugs.

I work with kids.

Kids are always sick with something.

Can you see where I'm headed here?

I had bronchitis really bad in Oct. -- fever of 103+ for three days, extreme
coughing, etc.  Had to go off the methotrexate.  Took almost a month to stop
coughing and feel normal again.

The flare from hell jumped on me due to no meth. for a few weeks.  Am just
now getting back to where I was with the pain level.

So I went to the doc this morning for a re-check UTI appt. and was coughing,
which just started this morning.  Chest is tight -- lungs ache.  Doc checked
my breathing and I'm at less than 80% of where I should be.  So, I'm now on
a Z-Pak and off the meth. again.

Wait for it.

BIG sigh!!!

Jean

Oh Jean I feel for you and the way the weather is now. Oh I know you have to
be really hurting. I hope this clears it up so that you can go back on the
MTX.

My thoughts are with you.

((((((((((((((Jean)))))))))))  my sister, another Jean, taught kindergarten,
then pre-scohool for many years.  I well remember the constant colds she
picked up WITHOUT being immunosuppressed.  It's so much more dangerous when
you're having to take mtx.  It's good that you're paying attention and
holding the mtx though.  Don't want to land in the hospital for weeks.

Any chance your doctor might give you a medrol dose pack or a big cortisone
shot to help you get through the nexxt off-mtx flare?