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Rheumatology- [49][female] Methotrexate and ColdMy mom is a patient of La county hospitals but does/t have a PCP only a specialty clinic doctor that she sees every 3 months so Im hoping to get some advice. She recently got a cold this past weekend, she tested for covid and had a negative result. She has a cough and is taking Acetaminophen from OTC. She is due to take Methotrexate today due to her Lupus treatment for her flare. Her doctor recently increased her dose to 10 pills weekly which I understand to be an immunosuppressant. How does this affect her if she has a cold? Should she skip until she gets better?
gpt
That's a spectacular question,I wouldn't panic, I don't think it's radically dangerous but this does merit a phone call to the doctor's office. It's important and should be answered by someone who understands her particular history with lupus quite well.I say don't panic because it is not radically uncommon for people to take immunosuppressive drugs when they are in fact sick with an infection, that is the whole basis of taking steroids(the most iconic immunosuppressive drugs) when you have covid, it's looked at like a double-edged sword. So that's good with bad. In theory it could make her cold much more intense and last much longer than it would in a normal person .I don't know how bad her lupus flare is and if that's going to hurt her more withholding the drugs; or how bad her cold is, and if she's really going to fall apart, so I will refrain for making an explicit recommendation.I recommend you get this specialist to give the recommendation, but either way giving it or holding it, she will probably be okay for the meanwhile.
Rash EVERYWHERE? Please helpHello, so a little background. I am a 23yo F. I suffer from an ED and weigh approximately 80lbs and am 51. I was diagnosed with MCTD, scleroderma, dermatomyositis, and a grocery list of other things, but I feel those are most prevalent to the issues I am having. I also use marijuana regularly as well as vape. So. I moved to MI from MO last summer. Ever since about.. November 2021 I have been having skin issues. The skin is incredibly dry, most spots opened and scabbed and now they hurt and itch. No lotion I have tried (10+) seem to help. I have it on my legs, arms, chest, hip, back, face, behind/in my ears. Ive never had my skin look like this while living in MO. I have seen my PC and I have a rheumatology appointment end of April. I dont even want to imagine how much more this will progress. Does anyone know what this is? Or how I can manage it to minimize symptoms? Im at a loss. Please help! Skin rash
Images do not allow us to see the extent and appearance of the eruption. A diagnosis is not possible. You are medically complex and you need dermatology care. I work closely with many rheumatologists and we have mutual respect. I would not count on a rheumatologist to manage your skin.