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...
I have been down with the "real deal" flu which has progressed to pneumonia, for over 2 weeks.
I am on my second round of big time antibiotics with not much success. I am headed back to our family dr. in a few hours.
I have been on mtx (.6) injections, folic acid, flexeril etc. for over 2 years now.
Last year, with a nasty sinus infection, I quit the mtx while on antibiotics. I felt it was the thing to do. I was in a terrible flare for almost 3 months solid afterwards.
Help! I am not sure as to what to do.
I am on my second round of big time antibiotics with not much success. I am headed back to our family dr. in a few hours.
I have been on mtx (.6) injections, folic acid, flexeril etc. for over 2 years now.
Last year, with a nasty sinus infection, I quit the mtx while on antibiotics. I felt it was the thing to do. I was in a terrible flare for almost 3 months solid afterwards.
Help! I am not sure as to what to do.
the pneumonia crew is all writing back to you. for the dentist i was under same rules as Jen above. additionally, and I like this one for the communication clarity, the oral surgeon talked to the rheumatologist, so there was never any confusion.
as to the pneumonias, no while hospitalized and while home (back when I was on mtx) no injections per the rheumatologist, and the pulmonologist.
Sally is right on, I have a pulmonologist that has the films and the progression of my lungs for the past 10 years.
i'm always given solumedrol (spelling) while in the hospital with pnueumonia which gives me short term relief. But I don't take prednisone when I am released so the flares do suck. I am sorry. we get it.
breath, hope you feel better, said with oxygen on as I type :)
Ros
I called my Rheumatologist and this time he told me to stop the mtx. Last year, he said it really didn't matter if I stopped or not. So I stopped on my own.
I saw my family physician this afternoon and he gave me a shot of Rocephin, (a 3rd antibiotic ) to go along with my 2nd round of antibiotics Cefdinir, which I started immediately after a zpac, an inhalation aerosol, Dulera, along with cough syrup etc.
I will go back tomorrow for another Rocephin shot.
Jen, RA Sally, Ros,Christine, & Inkjoy Thank you all again.
My RA pain has been under control for about 3 months now (Actually, thanks to a great podiatrist, custom orthotics, and prednisone. During the holidays it was almost, almost like I was getting on top of all of this - for awhile :) I do need to take this pneumonia more seriously. Today has been a reality check for sure!
I would call my Rheumy for his/her advice posthaste.
Be well,
TheWino