Polymyositis & Dermatomyositis Support Group

Polymyositis (PM) is a type of chronic inflammation of the muscles (inflammatory myopathy) related to dermatomyositis and inclusion body myositis. The inflammation is predominantly of the endomysium in polymyositis, whereas dermatomyositis is characterized by primarily perimysial inflammation.

317 Members

2,891 Posts

0 Online

miranda819 04/10/2016

Hi, so has anyone else had a "moderate to almost severe" (according to the ER nurse) UTI? I've only been on methotrexate and plaquenil for 3 weeks. Today at 1:30 pm I had my first symptoms and by 7:00 pm it was so bad I was in the ER. I've had UTIs before, but never had one that hit me so fast and with such bad symptoms.

autumm 04/10/2016

Yes Miranda. It was in the first year of diagnosis and on Prednisone and Imuran. Unable to take the recommended antibiotic with the Imuran it took me 6 weeks on another antibiotic to get rid of it with my family doctor sending a urine sample to the lab every two weeks to check progress. Thankfully it never has come back. Perhaps if you are prone to these things a low dose antibiotic cover may be right for you but discuss with your doctors. I have also had a number of warts removed which I have never had before. My doctors tell me it's all part of a compromised immune system on These Meds but we have to have them to get better. Hope it's better soon but do check the antibiotic they are giving you is OK to take with the MTX. No one ever checks, we have to advocate for ourselves. Autumm

nanny1611 04/10/2016

Yes, I battled several UTI's and was only on prednisone. Even after weaning off prednisone I still got them. However, a couple natural things cut down on visits to the doctor and rounds of antibiotics. First, I made a "tea" of warm (not hot) water, raw honey, and cinnamon. Hot water kills the living organisms in raw honey. I drank this "tea" at the first sign of a UTI and it usually cleared it up. Second, I read that another possible cause of chronic UTI's could be a magnesium deficiency, so I started supplementing with magnesium citrate powder. Praise the Lord, because I haven't seen a doctor or taken antibiotics for a UTI in 2 years. Yay!

trpt1 04/10/2016

Hi Miranda, I have DM with a fatty liver. I get an occasional UTI. I will get a female yeast infection probably once every three months. It is very important to recognize and hit hard any infection that presents.

Autumn is correct about antibiotic drug interaction with medications. Each person is different. Talk with the rheumy and pharmacist on your medications and the best plan for you.

Another consideration is knowing the current status of liver and kidneys. I will take an OTC low dose yeast infection med for several days instead of a high dose one time anti-fungal. The anti-fungal meds can do a number on the liver.

It may take a longer time to heal an infection with a lowered immune system. It is important to recognize and hit hard & fast any infection.

DM/PM is a constant education. I hope your infection clears up quickly. Best Wishes.

Join the Conversation