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...

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MTX and Cough

Indycarr
Indycarr
For the last several weeks I've had a bad cough with no other symptoms like fever, etc. It's not a cold. Also have shortness of breath.

I know MTX can cause lung issues, and I'm a smoker (bad me - I know), but I've never had anything like this before.

It definitely gets worse on Friday nights after my MTX injection, stays bad for a few days, then eases off towards the end of the week, just to start the cycle all over again.

I went to my rheumy who said my blood tests were normal and there was no indication of any other toxicity from the MTX, so I should just try to take deep breaths to clear my lungs.

Seriously?

Thoughts anyone? I'm thinking about going to see my family doc since my rheumy was so unconcerned with it all.

It's really getting annoying, and of course it's at its worst when I try to lay down to go to sleep which is frustrating both me and my hubby.
lowiina
lowiina
Sorry to hear you are going thru this, hope there will be relief soon.
bcatz
bcatz
There was a lady on this forum who had a similar issue. Even after she went off MTX, I think she continued to have problems as hers was the interstitial lung disorder. (I think!)
She was on pred for a LOOONG time, but her cough had been around for months. Yours is just a few weeks. I would go to a doctor anyway to get the rheumatoid related possibility eliminated.
free2beme6060
free2beme6060
I just went to my Primary Dr today for a TB test so I can start Humira. I am on MTX and have been for a few weeks. I too was having shortness of breath especially at night when I lay down. My Primary listened to my lungs and said they sounded crackly...LOL....so he sent me immediately for a chest xray. Will just have to wait a day or two to see what the xray reveals. I hope I don't have to go off of MTX, it has kept the pain at bay and given me back my mobility. I am also on Prednisone, but that alone was not
controlling my pain.
Maybe you should see your Primary just to make sure all is ok. Good luck keep us informed.
Indycarr
Indycarr
Appointment made but not until next Wednesday. I know my family doc will listen and react, unlike my rheumy!
I will update when I can.
Thanks for the encouragement.
trishcorsi
trishcorsi
The cough thing seems to hit every year. I too am a " bad person", still smoking, but I have found taking otc Mucinex 1200 mg really helps, it keeps the mucus from building up. That is what I use anyhow and my rheumy is fine with it, your primary could give you an antibiotic, I just n ow got back on mtx after having the plague cough since mid June, my husband had it too and he doesn't smoke. My rheumy insists I go off of mtx while sick so now I have to wait for it to build back up in my system-yuck!!! If what you have is this plague thing it lasts for like 10 weeks, so hunker down and do what you can to get yourself well. Trish