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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Arthritis / March 2007really confused now
I was told today that I have walking pneumonia, I stopped the enbrel because they thought it was a sinus infection but when I finally got there it was this, but the RA doc told me with the sinus infection to keep taking the methotrexate, but his office was closed when I got home and I didn't ask if it makes a difference if it is pneumonia. I was reading on the web that MTX can actually cause pneumonia or RA lung problems so now I am confused as to did I get this from the mTX or jus the crud going around and if I should take it. I usually take it on Saturdays so not sure what to do. Have any of you taken the MTX with pneumonia? I am scheduled for a CT scan of my lungs in 2 weeks after I finish the antibiotic but wasn't sure and can't call the RA doc till Monday and my general family doc tell then either. thanks Becky Becky, if it were me, I wouldn't take any immuno-suppresant drugs until I'd been on abx for a few days, at least. I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on the internet, but I am incredibly wary of combining these drugs with infections. We've lost at least one member to that combo. I'd be calling the RD on Monday. I hope you're feeling better soon. Kelly C. >I was told today that I have walking pneumonia, I stopped the enbrel >because they thought it was a sinus infection but when I finally got there [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > thanks > Becky Thanks Kelly, I have actually already been on 5 days of zithormax and today when he listened to my lungs and said that I had walking pneumonia and rattling in the right lung he changed it to levaquin. I really don't feel to awful bad but can tell that there is pressure on my chest and I am tried and starting to get a cough. Thanks Becky > Becky, if it were me, I wouldn't take any immuno-suppresant drugs until > I'd been on abx for a few days, at least. [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] >> thanks >> Becky >Becky, if it were me, I wouldn't take any immuno-suppresant drugs until I'd >been on abx for a few days, at least. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > >I'd be calling the RD on Monday. I hope you're feeling better soon. I agree with Kelly. And even if he says to restart the MTX a gap of two days is not that big a deal. --- Joan Becky If it were me, I would skip this week's mtx. You shouldn't have to start back building up your dose after skipping only one week. I was on mtx for several years and didn't skip a dose for the usual "crud" but if it became bronchitis or pneumonia I would skip that week's dose. You will learn how your body works with these meds as time goes by. We're all very different in our response to medications. As far as which doc to ask, most specialists want to only deal with their specialty, even if its about taking meds when you are sick. Your pharmacist may be more helpful than any other in this regard. Prescription medicine is all they do and no family doc or specialist can keep up with everything medication-wise. That said, they are all capable of reading prescribing information and monographs. I am blessed to have a wonderful family doc who is quite caring and thorough. Becky, something else to consider is the hell you've been through lately. You've been through SO much and all of that will take a toll on you physically as well as emotionally. I would be willing to bet that the horrible strain you have been under has undermined your immune system, leaving you "open" to whatever you;re exposed to. Try to be good to yourself and take things as easy as you can. Don't push yourself any more than you absolutely have to. Try to find some things that you can enjoy, pamper yourself. Healing of all kinds takes time. You've already come quite a long ways and have done so well. Hang in there and remember we're always here angela > I was told today that I have walking pneumonia, I stopped the enbrel because > they thought it was a sinus infection but when I finally got there it was [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > thanks > Becky I agree with Kelly... Difference being I have had numerous bouts with pneumonia and I was taken off all my DMARDs when that happened until I was better for two weeks (YMMV). Is there a "nurse" line you could call? We have one. They might be able to give you an answer based more in medical knowledge. I use our Nurse Line here frequently, and while they are very careful about diagnosing something over the phone, they are pretty good at answering drug questions. Barring that, ask your pharmacist what they think. Hope you get feeling better soonest. Smokie Darling (Annie) > I was told today that I have walking pneumonia, I stopped the enbrel because > they thought it was a sinus infection but when I finally got there it was [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > thanks > Becky Hi Becky, You got the pneumonia from a bacteria. The MTX may have helped it take hold. Who told you that you have pneumonia? What antibiotics were you started on? Can you ring either the person who diagnosed the pneumonia or your rheumy who prescribed the MTX and ask them what you should do? I'd be concerned about continuing it with a lung infection... Regards, Ari  Signaturespammage trappage: remove the underscores to reply Many people around the world are waiting for a marrow transplant. Please volunteer to be a marrow donor and literally save someone's life: http://www.abmdr.org.au/ http://www.marrow.org/ Hi Becky, Sorry to hear of the pneumonia, but levequin is a usually a good antibiotic for it. I have had pneumonia many times and almost always get pulled off the enbrel and the mtx for at least a week or two. If you're unsure what to do, better to be safe than sorry and skip a dose or two. Or, call your doctor. Doesn't matter that it is the weekend, your RD and your primary care doctor should have someone covering for them!!! Also, a couple of things to know about pneumonia. Even after the antibiotics, it can take a very very long time to get past it and feel yourself again. The coughing and fatigue can literally takes months to clear. So, since you are planning a trip soon, please please use the time before the trip to get lots and lots of extra rest, keep up on the fluids and be extra gentle to you and your body. Even on the trip you will need to make sure you don't over do it and still get lots of rest. You will more than likely find that you tire VERY easily!!! I wouldn't worry too much about the RA lung thing. RA lung is very different from pneumonia, very different! Most likely you got the crud that is going around everywhere!!! Getting the CT of your lungs will be a good thing though and it sounds like your doctor is doing a good job of staying on top of things. Please take it extra easy and rest, rest, rest!!! Donna G. . . . ANGELS EXIST, but some times, since they don't all have wings, we call them FRIENDS...... Thanks Donna, I am not going to take it tomorrow and will call the RA doc 's office on Monday and see what he says. My family doc is gone he was only in tell noon today and is gone now for the weekend for a conference and would rather ask the ra doc what he thinks. Although I am beginning to think my family doc does more for me than the ra doc. My concern in stopping the mtx is it too me so long to be able to get up to the 8 pills a week, but need to get over this stuff also and then go from there. Thanks Becky > Hi Becky, > [quoted text clipped - 32 lines] > ANGELS EXIST, but some times, since they don't all have wings, we call > them FRIENDS...... > Thanks Donna, > I am not going to take it tomorrow and will call the RA doc 's office on [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > Thanks > Becky I think you're being wise. It shouldn't take you as long to build up on mtx in the future - in fact I never reduced my dose after I wass off it, though that was never for more than a couple of weeks at a time. But your body retains some of that adjustment to the drug for some time so don't worry too much about that. Also, breath as much steam as you can and get some of that mucinex or the generic equivalents. The expectorant in that will help loosen up the crud in your chest so you can cough it out and recover faster. SignatureNann remove the Gator cheer to email me Simply the thing I am shall make me live --- William Shakespeare My family doc told me I had pneumonia after seeing him today. The Ra doc thought all I had was a sinus infection and told me to stay off enbrel and continue the MTX. The family doc knew that I was taking MTX and didn't saw anything. He is gone as well as the RA doc so will probably skip this weeks which is tomorrow and call him on Monday and see what I should do. I had already been on 5 days of zithromax when I went in today, and then they gave me levaquin after hearing the crackling in my right lungs. thanks for the concern Becky >> I was told today that I have walking pneumonia, I stopped the enbrel >> because they thought it was a sinus infection but when I finally got [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > Regards, > Ari I called the pharmacist and she said that most things she can find say to continue with the mtx, but not the enbrel because of skipping the dose can be worse as far as the RA, so now I am really confused. I called the doctor on call and he said that I need to call the RA the call can go either way and he doesn't know my exact case, thought that was weird, so now I am back to do I or don't I< who knows at this point I truly don't care, I think Ia am finally at total burn out on life and health and could care less. Thanks for all the input. >I was told today that I have walking pneumonia, I stopped the enbrel >because they thought it was a sinus infection but when I finally got there [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > thanks > Becky >I called the pharmacist and she said that most things she can find say to >continue with the mtx, but not the enbrel because of skipping the dose can >be worse as far as the RA, so now I am really confused. Either way, I think it is not something that needs to defeat you. Missing one dose of mtx will not hurt really if you are concerned. at this point I truly don't care, I think Ia >am finally at total burn out on life and health and could care less. >Thanks for all the input. >Becky Now that worries me a bit as it sounds as if all this is getting the best of you. Do what you need to do to get well. Rest, relax, find good book, or park in front of the tv, but don't let all of this defeat your spirit. You need your resources to get well. Rose @}>->-- Being educated means that rather than fearing the unknown, one seeks to understand it. RB Please remove "Ima" to reply. Thanks Rose, I am okay, just tired and been through so much these past 6 months, I am finally going to see a counselor next week to deal with my husband's death, I thought I had but others don't think so, and the fact that I am not eating great, and not sleeping which makes me more likely to get all the bugs that are going around. I will be fine, just miss having Paul here for when I do get down he was always here to just give me a hug, boy do I miss those, but I will survive Thank you for your concern. Becky >>I called the pharmacist and she said that most things she can find say to >>continue with the mtx, but not the enbrel because of skipping the dose can [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > > Please remove "Ima" to reply. Becky, I have been reading about he pneumonia and all. I feel for you and hope it heals quickly. I hope you will be much much better so you can go on the trip. I know it is hard for you and has been hard the last year now. My heart goes out to you. I think you are handling it better than I would have. Hugs and much TLC coming your way. SignatureLove and hugs Jo (\__/) .~ ~. )) /O O ./ .' {O__, \ { / . . ) \ |-| '-' \ } )) Warning: squirrels. .( _( )_.' '---.~_ _ _& > Thanks Rose, > I am okay, just tired and been through so much these past 6 months, I am [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > Thank you for your concern. > Becky Thank you Jo > Becky, > [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] >> Thank you for your concern. >> Becky >I am okay, just tired and been through so much these past 6 months, I am >finally going to see a counselor next week to deal with my husband's death, >I thought I had but others don't think so, and the fact that I am not eating >great, and not sleeping which makes me more likely to get all the bugs that >are going around. Ah, Becky, something like that is hard to "deal" with, one never does bounce right back, but with time and help the pain lessens a bit and the good memories overcome the sadness. Good move to see a counselor. Best of luck. --- Joan > I called the pharmacist and she said that most things she can find say to > continue with the mtx, but not the enbrel because of skipping the dose can [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > Thanks for all the input. > Becky Just delay the dose until Monday. As long as it's not a daily does (I'm /assuming/ weekly, right?) it won't make that big of a difference (again, assuming your dose date was Saturday and you're only delaying until Monday). Ari Signaturespammage trappage: remove the underscores to reply Many people around the world are waiting for a marrow transplant. Please volunteer to be a marrow donor and literally save someone's life: http://www.abmdr.org.au/ http://www.marrow.org/ Thanks,. I went ahead and took the dose, I am sure it willb be fine since I had 5 days of one antibiotic in me and 2 of another, Thanks Becky >> I called the pharmacist and she said that most things she can find say to >> continue with the mtx, but not the enbrel because of skipping the dose [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > Ari >I called the pharmacist and she said that most things she can find say to > continue with the mtx, but not the enbrel because of skipping the dose can [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > Thanks for all the input. > Becky Hang in there Becky. This stuff can get us down and wear us out as you well know. Counseling is a great idea not only for your loss, but for your arthur issues as well. GaryZ Thanks Gary, I am feeling somewhat worse this am after 2 days of the levaquin, I know have a bad cough where I didn't have one, maybe it was because I took the mtx I don't know but will just have to wait and see how it goes Thanks Becky >>I called the pharmacist and she said that most things she can find say to >> continue with the mtx, but not the enbrel because of skipping the dose [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > issues as well. > GaryZ Becky, The bad cough is very very common with pneumonia and can take quite some time to clear up. Actually for me, it is usually the thing that hangs on the longest and can be most exhausting. Just keep laying low, drinking fluids, and resting as much as possible!!! . . . Donna G. . . . ANGELS EXIST, but some times, since they don't all have wings, we call them FRIENDS...... Thanks Donna I will. I am trying to find out what the difference between waking pneumonia and just pneumonia is. And can one turn in to the other? We sure have had a lot of this stuff here where I leave which leads me to believe that it must be a virus that is going around, and a nasty one at that. I have had a lot of meds in me but taking the mtx I am not sure if that set me back or not, I do feel worse today and it is day 3 of the new meds, oh well just will wait and see what happens. I appreciate everyone's concern and comments. Thanks Becky > Becky, > [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > ANGELS EXIST, but some times, since they don't all have wings, we call > them FRIENDS...... >Thanks Donna I will. I am trying to find out what the difference between >waking pneumonia and just pneumonia is. Check here Becky. http://lungdiseases.about.com/od/glossaryofterms/g/walk_pneum.htm Rose @}>->-- Being educated means that rather than fearing the unknown, one seeks to understand it. RB Please remove "Ima" to reply. >>Thanks Donna I will. I am trying to find out what the difference between >>waking pneumonia and just pneumonia is. Yes, check there and get good information. For me,,, walking pneu has no fever. In other words the body is not fighting your problem in your lungs. Harv > Check here Becky. > http://lungdiseases.about.com/od/glossaryofterms/g/walk_pneum.htm [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Please remove "Ima" to reply. Becky, I somehow missed getting all your posts on this topic, but I read enough to know you're having a rough time! I hope you get some good answers here and from your doc and that you start feeling better soon. life can be so overwhelming sometimes. diane Thank you Diane, I am sure I will be fine in time, just in may not be in the time I was hoping for but I am learning patience! Something I have not been know for having too much of! Thanks Becky > Becky, I somehow missed getting all your posts on this topic, but I > read enough to know you're having a rough time! I hope you get some > good answers here and from your doc and that you start feeling better > soon. life can be so overwhelming sometimes. > > diane Hi Becky, I've been successful controlling my own RA using fish oil and other anti-inflammatory non-medicinal treatments. Have you tried fish oil? Sincerely, BlackHawk >I called the pharmacist and she said that most things she can find say to >continue with the mtx, but not the enbrel because of skipping the dose can [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] >> thanks >> Becky Hi Becky, After a bad series of infections while taking MTX and other DMARDS, plus having a rheumatoid pleural effusion in my left lung, the doc decided it was time for a Pneumovax shot. Since that shot every flu or cold bug I get is not anywhere near as severe as it used to be, and I haven't had a bout with pneumonia now for three years. Apparently anyone with a compromised immune system should have the shot every five years. You might want to consider asking your doctor if it might help prevent future problems with pneumonia for you. HTH >I was told today that I have walking pneumonia, I stopped the enbrel because >they thought it was a sinus infection but when I finally got there it was [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] >thanks >Becky -- DaKittster (Formerly LadyK) |
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