|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 856
|
Hi everyone
I started on mtx 3 weeks ago and having read all the literature umpteen times I am getting concerned about the possible side effects- especially risks of infection. When I go to Italy, I inevitably end up getting insect bites and last year had quite a nasty one which got infected.Being on mtx I'm worried about the same happening again, only worse.
Has anyone experienced problems while on mtx? Any advice, suggestions for precautions/ relief would be most welcome.
Thanks
Maria
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 336
|
Hello Maria, I'm sorry I can't advise you on this because I don't generally have a problem with bites. I think that my blood is so full of drugs it puts insects off cause if they did bite me they would die.Glenys.
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/8/2010 Posts: 914
|
Hi Maria,
I'm Lorna and I have been on MTX for almost 3 years, I too worried about how My immune system would be taking this. But I am and have been perfectly fine, I think we all worry too much about this . I don't take it when away now but I would not recommend you doing that until you have been on it longer. You can get sun creams with bug repellent in it now which may help. Hope this is a help to you and enjoy your holiday and Dont worry. Lorna x
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 259
|
I was bitten all over my legs by fleas (not in my house!), confirmed by a doc. Really itchy and I was worried about infection. Anti histamines stopped the itching straight away. I now take anti histamines when on holiday, which has also stopped prickly heat. Works for me! Jan x
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 242
|
Hi Maria
I suffer with incect bites and like you am worried about infection. However since taking garlic capsules I rarely get any bites at all. I did have a small one a week or so ago, I immedietely put tea tree oil on to the bite and it soon dissapeared. Hope this is helpful and have a wonderful time in Italy.
Best wishes Rebecca
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/5/2009 Posts: 103
|
Hi Maria,I can't advise on insect bites but I have found being out in the sunshine while on MTX can cause a rash similar to nettle rash or hives.  After my second dose on MTX both arms from elbows to wrists was covered in a red,bumpy,itchy rash.Saw my GP and he told me to stop taking the MTX until I see the rheumy nurse which will be this afternoon.I had to use a cream called Eurax which got rid of the rash after several days(also good for insect bites) but GP said to always use a factor 50 sun lotion when being out in the sun while taking MTX. I will know today whether I have to re start taking the MTX. Brenda.
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,035 Location: in a house
|
if i am going to be near incects midges i wear deet 50 from boots always have it on as every thing bites and i don,t like bites even have a sun cream with it in . but other wise read up on nothing what so ever .I have the deet on before any where near little blighters head to foot in it abroard i wear it if window is open at night .Got though Thialand with out a single bite Ireland Croatica Malta italy . christine thou should not get bite The chocolate eating housewife ...The washer woman .....naughty lady
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,035 Location: in a house
|
told to wear 50 plus factor in the sun by skin lady before you are out in it .and re apply The chocolate eating housewife ...The washer woman .....naughty lady
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 64 Location: Southampton
|
HI Maria
I had a similar problem when I went to Canada about 6 months after I started on MTX. The Canadian mozzies loved me (usually it is my hubby who gets bitten). I was advised to use sunscreen with insect repellent built in and also in case I forgot to take an insect repellent spray with me.
Whereabouts in Italy are you going? I know from experience that Milan can be quiet bad it is well known in Milan.
Caroline
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,035 Location: in a house
|
wear it in first place with sun cream put it on readless every morning and have both in your bag and bottoms of feet and hair put it every where . The chocolate eating housewife ...The washer woman .....naughty lady
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/19/2010 Posts: 384
|
Hi Maria,
Sorry can't advise you about insect bites, but I have taken 5 does of MTX 20mg a week only diagnosed 5 weeks ago and apart from slight nausea tiredness and loss of appetite I have no other problems, in fact I think it is beginning to kick in and I am feeling much better, joints less painful. I hope tomorrow I don't regret saying that.
Really hope it works for you.
Anne x
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 856
|
Thanks everyone for your helpful suggestions.
Jan- thanks for your suggestion-I hadn't thought of taking anti histamines as a precaution. I've always had anti histamine cream with me but not tablets. My gp gave me some good ones when I got back last year as I'd suffered so badly, so I will ask him for more -if I can take them with mtx of course.
Brenda- thanks for your warning about reactions to heat and sunshine.
Caroline- I'm going to Lake Garda, we go there very year, as we love it so much, it's easy for me to get around and the hotel staff are fantastic so I never have to worry about being laid up with a flare
Rebecca- might give the garlic capsules a go, as I always get bitten, it's worth a try.
Anne- glad to hear it seems to be helping you. I've been on it 3 weeks now but at a lower dose, in combo with sulfasalazine. I've been feeing tired, slight nausea as well, and loss of appetite (not a bad thing for me though!)
Lorna- I think you're right- I do worry too much!
Thanks again
Mariax
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,035 Location: in a house
|
Rebecca D wrote:Hi Maria
I suffer with incect bites and like you am worried about infection. However since taking garlic capsules I rarely get any bites at all. I did have a small one a week or so ago, I immedietely put tea tree oil on to the bite and it soon dissapeared. Hope this is helpful and have a wonderful time in Italy.
Best wishes Rebecca It does not work for some i tried that and got bit badley .No ans is put the releant on before bites every time in garden aboard and such like and scotland its on before i get there as for midges The chocolate eating housewife ...The washer woman .....naughty lady
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,035 Location: in a house
|
Maria_R wrote:Thanks everyone for your helpful suggestions.
Jan- thanks for your suggestion-I hadn't thought of taking anti histamines as a precaution. I've always had anti histamine cream with me but not tablets. My gp gave me some good ones when I got back last year as I'd suffered so badly, so I will ask him for more -if I can take them with mtx of course.
Brenda- thanks for your warning about reactions to heat and sunshine.
Caroline- I'm going to Lake Garda, we go there very year, as we love it so much, it's easy for me to get around and the hotel staff are fantastic so I never have to worry about being laid up with a flare
Rebecca- might give the garlic capsules a go, as I always get bitten, it's worth a try.
Anne- glad to hear it seems to be helping you. I've been on it 3 weeks now but at a lower dose, in combo with sulfasalazine. I've been feeing tired, slight nausea as well, and loss of appetite (not a bad thing for me though!)
Lorna- I think you're right- I do worry too much!
Thanks again
Mariax NO PUT THE RELEANT ON AS SOON AS YOU GET UP THE ONLY WAY AND USE REPEANT WIPES AND HAVE ONE IN YOUR BAG AND PUT ON YOUR HAIR AND YOUR FEET WELL EVERY WHERE .don,t try garlic i did does not work for some and some times make its worse as with me they came for me .I now rearley get bite .And a dab here dab there does not work either .Use 50% deet only way other wise i am coverd and they weep and blister .Just don,t muck about chemist boots 50 % deet and wear it head to foot .first thing after shower .I have been bite in the shower when its been removed .Trust me only way . christine ps i have been bite so badley ended up at the hospital had releant on but not strong enough .Why it has too be deet The chocolate eating housewife ...The washer woman .....naughty lady
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/10/2009 Posts: 653 Location: Notts
|
I'm sorry to tell you this, but I take garlic tabs every day, and still managed to get bitten last week on holiday. I put on Tea Tree oil and also antihistamine cream, and didn't scratch it once. I thought if I scratched it it would get infected. It's feeling better now after about a week, but the mark is still there.
We loved Lake Garda when we went - it was just before I was diagnosed with RA. I managed to walk from Garda to Bardolino, the last time I've walked so far! I can't remember there being a particular problem with insects, though.
Lyn
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 856
|
Christine -many thanks for the advice- seems like that is the answer for me too. Lyn-I have done the Garda-Bardolino walk many times. We aways end it with a big ice cream on the lake front. Last year was the first time I did it with RA. I was ok one way but had to get the boat back! Last year, when I had some really nasty bites, I had to go to the pharmacy- the pharmacist was absolutely gorgeous, but I chickened out of showing him the massive bite on my bum and had to make do with the one on my leg  Maria
|
|
|
|