Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

2,179 Members
16,355 Posts
0 Online
Muscles & Bones
/ Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Lowered Immunity

peppyest
peppyest
Hi all,I've had RA for 10 yrs but have not taken RA meds for the last yr.Mostly because none of them work very well and make me feel sicker,altho I am going to try the Methotrexate again
This Is my?.I'm on prednisone 20mg every day(I know yikes!).I'm sick ALL THE TIME with every bug out there(probably mostly from my grandkids).Is the prednisone making me more susceptible.
If I already am sick so much now,how much worse will I be addition of MTX?Hope I hear from Buddacat as well as others.Thx.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Wow, I'm amazed you can move only taking prednisone!! I'd be bedridden. Since you get along well RAwise on just the prednisone why are you even thinking about adding MTX?
Sue
peppyest
peppyest
suera,even with that much prednisone i'm still a mess...not to mention osteoporosis,cataracts,fragile skin,hair growth,insomnia...all
from prednsione.not a good drug to be on long term.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Peppyest, prednisone can absolutely lower your immunity. Hopefully, if you add methotrexate, you might be able to lower the dose of prednisone. I worked in pediatric primary care (the germiston place in the world) for many years and really didn't get sicker more often than most of my co workers. I was on methotrexate and a string of different biologics, plus occasional prednisone bursts. I don't think you should avoid MTX just because of the lowered immunity. Wash your hands frequently, teach the grand kids to cover their coughs and sneezes, and get your flu shot in the fall, and hopefully you can avoid most of the nasty germs out there.
peppyest
peppyest
careninth,thx for your reply ,very helpful.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I agree, the pred can definitely be resulting in your frequent infections.

I remember before I was diagnosed, I kept thinking I was getting sick every couple of weeks. In hindsight they were flares.

According to my rheumy and my research, MTX alone does not entirely suppress your immune system. It is a more locally acting medication, rather than systemic (like Cytoxan, biologics, etc.). While she wants me to call her if I get sick, prior to taking my MTX, she still has me take it.

Each doctor's preferences are different, so go with what your Rheumy's instructs. Although, I haven't had an issue recovering from a sinus infection, cold, etc while still taking MTX.