Hi Sherry,

I'm on methotraxate and we are just coming out of summer here. I found that and contact with the sun on my skin caused me to feel like the skin was burning off my bones. I love the sun but have tended to stay out of it as much as I could this last summer. I didn't go beet red just really really brown very quickly.
Kelxx

Love the summer, but hate the sun - I also get red (am fair anyway). I think it's the MTX and the pred.

This is good to know. I avoid the sun anyway - never been one to hang out long in it, but now I will have an excuse!

Hi Sherry! So glad you posted this for my reminder. Yes for me it was much worse when I was on prednisone and MTX to be in the sun. It just felt like someone sucked the energy right out of me and of course burned my skin. We look forward to warm weather bc its better for our joints but we can't catch a break can we?? LOL STUPID RA! We'll stick to the highest SPF possible :0)

Great, Just Great... here I was hoping that being in the sun would help with the pain.. I was so looking forward to the sun and sitting on my deck... hat's don't look good on me and I really can't make a fashion statement now can I.. :O))
Trying to make it lite here... Titanium Dioxide for the skin & SPF 50+ together it will make a difference.
Here's to Sunny Days even without the SUN..

Methotreate is the culprit! Expect to have sun sensitivities if you are using it.

I was out a couple hours about a week ago and got a nasty burn on my neck. Usually I don't burn at all, even when we go to the lake. And this in the earliest spring? Guess I will have to put a bottle of sunscreen at the door.

As always you can go to www.drugs.com and enter your medications for interactions as well as checking for individual side effects. This website saved me from having to go on high blood pressure meds as one of my medications caused it!

I also recall the itching of the sunburn being so intense... had to dig out the after sun aloe vera we keep in the fridge.

The sun has made me itch something fierce for close to 15 years. In the beginning, I would get a bad rash and then burn. Now I just itch really bad. So, this will be my first summer on prednisone and methotrexate. I am planning on long sleeve cotton shirts, a hat and lots of sun screen!

Well now I know it is not just me. I thought I was starting to be allergic to the sun. I just love the sun and I even noticed it bothered me while I was in the pool seems like the sun went throught the water to even attack my legs.. My son said he was going to put a roof over my backyard, lol... Hey that may be a good idea..

Thank you all for your comments

the mthx is causing the itching/burning after being in the sun. Please put on lots of sunblock (spf 75), a big hat, and stay out of direct sunlight hun!!

I didn't listen to my rheumy one summer and burned my face and back. After 3 years, my back still has a blotchy discoloration from where I missed putting the sunblock on it. It's a little better now but I'm sure if I go back into direct sunlight those blotches will get too dark again.

I look like I have a tan all year round and it is due to my minocycline and MTX. People are always asking me if I just got back from vacation and when I reply it is caused by medication, the reponse is I wish I had those meds. I quietly chuckle and don't respond.

I know many meds make your skin more sensitive to the sun than it normally is, so I always wear SPF 15 or 20 when I am outdoors.

A hat with a brim and sunglasses may also help.

I have been allergic to the sun for years. I get hydrous eczema, which are itchy little bubbles of water. Most years I am sensible,and don't go out between 10am and 3pm. I also wear lots of sun screen.

My sister with MS thinks the sun is going to cure her. She harps on me getting more all the time. I just make sure I always wear a hat in the sun. I burn easily, although I was a brunette, I have fair skin.

I don't know if the drugs made me more sensitive, because I always was so bad. I garden in the evening, and ride outside either early morning or late in the day. I know that lupus flares easily under the sun. Somedays, I think RA and lupus are very connected,if I get a burn. I actually got one in Feb., when I went out for ride, thinking the sun wasn't that bright.

I like to see the sun in the sky, just not on my body. LOL

Yes I'm in Fl and got a burn doing water aeorobis without sunscreen what was I thinking. I have spray stuff and take a pain killer at night. But man it hurts.

Yes stay out of the sun or at least cover up when it's the middle of the day.
I am in Texas and the sun here can be unforgiving.
My rheumy told me when I was on mtx to stay out of the sun period. Course I am very fair, natural strawberry blonde.
But I agree with the poster who said "RA and Lupus are very related"...The sun and florescent lights seem to cause me more joint pain. The warmer weather is great, but too much sun and the next day my joints are killing me.

We go to the lake fishing and I look like I am gearing up for rain with my big hats, scarfs, and huge umbrella...oh well, at least I get to go :D

To Texaschic and Angela53510, in regards to your post about RA and Lupus being related... I often wonder how or what distinguishes the two? Any insight?