|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/19/2010 Posts: 384
|
Hi All
Sitting here typing with my wheat bag under my armpit.
I had to make an emergency appointment at the doctors today. For the past week had a very sore and painful armpit, I thought it was glands, but as the days went on just got worse and worse sooo painful, very red and a hard lump.
Well I saw a doctor who I havn't got much confidence in, he was the one that said I had a trapped nerve after repeated visits to the doctor before RA was diagnosed.
He thinks it is an abcess and prescribed me penicillin VK 250mg and flucloxacillin 500mg, so I dutefully took one of each on my return.
I then read the leaflet and it says not to take penicillin VK if you are taking methotrexate. I told him I was taking MTX when I was there, as we had a short discussion about what I could take.
I have put a call into the surgery to see if it is ok or should I refrain from taking it, not yet received a call back.
Anyone clued up on penicillin and MTX ?
Anne x
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/4/2010 Posts: 576
|
I'm not Anne but hope you get some advice soon. You are right to be concerned. Sounds very painful too. Hope you feel better soon xx Ailsa
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2010 Posts: 1,749 Location: Somerset
|
Sorry Anne, I don't. Hope someone comes back to you urgently it all sounds extremely painfull.
x
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/19/2010 Posts: 384
|
Problem solved, doctor phoned and informed me its ok to take it, but it reduces the effectiveness of the MTX, so really catch 22 situation, I need penicillin but also want the MTX to work quickly.
Anne x
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
|
I have just googled this Annie and it says not to be taken with mtx because the action and risk of side effects may be increased by the penicillin.
We usually have to stop the mtx when on antibiotics, it would be best if you get in touch with your rheumy nurse and aske her advice.
Doreen xx
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,006 Location: Timperley
|
I've been on penicillin twice whilst still on mtx. My GP is VERY clued up, and he said I would be fine - and I was!
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/19/2010 Posts: 384
|
I don't have a rheumy nurse but I do have an appointment at the doctors tomorrow with the doctor who I trust and I believe is also clued up on RA.
Just out of interest many of you on here talk about your rheumy nurse, are they situated in your doctors surgery or at the hospital ? My rheumatologist is based at a local doctors surgery where he holds a clinic once a week, but there is no rheumy nurse. What does your rheumy nurse do that the doctor doesn't ?
Anne x
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,035 Location: in a house
|
dont take it with mtx chris The chocolate eating housewife ...The washer woman .....naughty lady
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
|
http://www.drugs.com/cdi/penicillin-vk.html
"Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) or methotrexate because their actions and the risk of their side effects may be increased by Penicillin-VK"
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/19/2010 Posts: 384
|
Thank you I have just read this and will be asking my doctor tomorrow what is best. I have got to get rid of this abcess so maybe he could prescribe something else.
Its abit like football everyone seems to have different opinions.
Anne x
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
|
It's a minefield isn't it?
It could be that the smaller doses of mtx that we take are unaffected, I don't know.
Obviously your priority at the moment is to get rid of the abscess, hope it soon responds to the antibiotics.
Love, Doreen xx
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,006 Location: Timperley
|
The GP and the rheummy nurse are ALWAYS the first port of call and the only people we should rely on for advice in situations like this. As forum members, we can only tell you what has happened to us - but it doesn't necessarily mean that the advice we were given is spot on!! It sure is a minefeld.
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/8/2010 Posts: 914
|
Hi Anne,
I was given the Flucloxacillian when I had a severe eye infection, by another doctor at the practice, my pharmacist told me it would increase the effect of MTX and can make it toxic. I went back to my own doctor and was told I should never have been given Flucloxacillian whilst on MTX. Please take care. Lorna x
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 838 Location: Nottinghamshire
|
When I first started on MTX and went to get the prescription the pharmacist said that the computer had flagged up that I shouldn't be taking it with anti inflammatories. She nearly didn't give me the MTX. Cutting a long story short my specialist nurse said that the benefits of taking them together out weighed the risk.
Paula x
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/25/2010 Posts: 1,289 Location: Buckinghamshire
|
hi Annie,
in response about Rheumy Nurse ... mine is at my Hospital and works alongside my Consultant.
i can phone her anytime and she will call back normally within 24 hours if she isn't available.
if i have any queries at all about Drugs, Pain and so on then she's my port of call. of course i can also contact my GP who is fantastic but i think the Rheumy Nurse has top knowledge in all things RA.
if i am in a bad flare then she will fit me into the weekly flare clinic and so on as well to be seen by the Consultant or Registrar.
interested to hear your Consultant is based at GP's.
Suzanne x
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/19/2010 Posts: 384
|
Hi All
Just to let you know went to the doctors tonight for general check up for RA. He was more interested in the abcess and phoned the hospital to check me in tonight, they are to busy, so have to be there at 7.30am tomorrow for general anethesetic and to be drained. He wouldn't do it as he said it is to deep and the pain would be quite bad.
Wish me luck.
Anne x
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/30/2010 Posts: 507 Location: Gravesend
|
Aww Good Luck Anne , All will be ok , and it will be "sorted " quick now :) I know you will notice the difference as soon as it has been drained :) Rich X :) "The difference between 'involvement' and 'commitment' is like an eggs-and-ham breakfast: the chicken was 'involved' - the pig was 'committed'."
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/25/2010 Posts: 1,289 Location: Buckinghamshire
|
hi Annie,
awwww wishing you all the best and come back and let us know how things are when you can,
sending hugs x
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
|
Hi Anne,
I've just wished you luck on the other thread. Hope it goes well tomorrow, once it's drained you should be rid of the pain.
Love, Doreen xx
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/8/2010 Posts: 914
|
Hi Anne,
Hope this finds you feeling better and the procedure all over now. What a shock I got reading this post that you were to go into hospital, you must have been in agony. I really do hope you are on the mend now, sending much love and kind thoughts.
Take care Lorna xx
|
|
|
|