# MTX cause infections for anyone else? **URL:** \ **Category:** General\ **Created:** [July 24, 2013, 4:49am UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/mtx-cause-infections-for-anyone-else/2075 "2013-07-24T04:49:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tootles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/tootles/32/1439_2.png) [@Tootles](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/Tootles)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2013, 4:49am UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/mtx-cause-infections-for-anyone-else/2075/1 "2013-07-24T04:49:14Z")
I know I have been whining, but I have not asked the question that may make me feel more at ease... Our immune systems are in overdrive until we take MTX or ? ... Has anyone else gotten infections like I am experiencing by taking MTX? If I am the only one, I am really going to feel special and not in a good way. Help, please .... Thank you so much! I love this site! I don't feel alone anymore :) ---
**Author:** ![Tootles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/tootles/32/1439_2.png) [@Tootles](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/Tootles)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2013, 4:51am UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/mtx-cause-infections-for-anyone-else/2075/2 "2013-07-24T04:51:32Z")
Part II of above ... I started MTX (again) in February against my better judgment and already have had to stop taking it twice .. this being the longest time (one month and counting)... ---
**Author:** ![Stoney](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/stoney/32/5959_2.png) [@Stoney](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/Stoney)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2013, 11:52am UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/mtx-cause-infections-for-anyone-else/2075/3 "2013-07-24T11:52:34Z")
I did not get sick more frequently on MTX, or now on leflunomide. What I did find was that it was harder to kick things. So a cold became a sinus infection, and the cough lasted forever. But it wasn't more frequent illnesses. I haven't had to stop taking meds due to illness. ---
**Author:** ![Jen1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/jen1/32/322_2.png) [@Jen1](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/Jen1)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2013, 12:02pm UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/mtx-cause-infections-for-anyone-else/2075/4 "2013-07-24T12:02:00Z")
MTX doesn’t seem to do much for me (good or bad), however I seemed to have constant infections (or like Stoney, ones that wouldnt go away) on low-dose steroids. Oddly I was bulletproof on Enbrel, but seem to be susceptible on Humira. I think it’s very individual, but I’d be very surprised if there aren’t plenty of others more susceptible to infections on MTX. I was like you before I got PsA - rarely got anything, and if I did, got it very mildly. ---
**Author:** ![Tootles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/tootles/32/1439_2.png) [@Tootles](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/Tootles)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2013, 12:22pm UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/mtx-cause-infections-for-anyone-else/2075/5 "2013-07-24T12:22:48Z")
Hi Jen! How long did you take Enbrel? If I do start a biologic my choices per insurance are Enbrel and Humira. The doc has already ordered Humira (waiting for me at Express Scripts) ... but I certainly do not want to continue battling on two fronts .... Thank you for your input. Jen said: > MTX doesn't seem to do much for me (good or bad), however I seemed to have constant infections (or like Stoney, ones that wouldnt go away) on low-dose steroids. Oddly I was bulletproof on Enbrel, but seem to be susceptible on Humira. > > I think it's very individual, but I'd be very surprised if there aren't plenty of others more susceptible to infections on MTX. I was like you before I got PsA - rarely got anything, and if I did, got it very mildly. ---
**Author:** ![Tootles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/tootles/32/1439_2.png) [@Tootles](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/Tootles)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2013, 12:24pm UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/mtx-cause-infections-for-anyone-else/2075/6 "2013-07-24T12:24:16Z")
Stoney - is Leflunomide a biologic or more similar to MTX? Stoney said: > I did not get sick more frequently on MTX, or now on leflunomide. What I did find was that it was harder to kick things. So a cold became a sinus infection, and the cough lasted forever. But it wasn't more frequent illnesses. I haven't had to stop taking meds due to illness. ---
**Author:** ![Stoney](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/stoney/32/5959_2.png) [@Stoney](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/Stoney)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2013, 2:10pm UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/mtx-cause-infections-for-anyone-else/2075/7 "2013-07-24T14:10:39Z")
Tootles- Leflunomide is a DMARD, in the same class as MTX. I didn't tolerate MTX well, and it did nothing for me (with no biologic). Leflunomide, AKA Arava, works well for me, and is better tolerated. ---
**Author:** ![Tootles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/tootles/32/1439_2.png) [@Tootles](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/Tootles)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2013, 2:24pm UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/mtx-cause-infections-for-anyone-else/2075/8 "2013-07-24T14:24:06Z")
Thank you, Stoney ... I will check into this one :) Stoney said: > Tootles- Leflunomide is a DMARD, in the same class as MTX. I didn't tolerate MTX well, and it did nothing for me (with no biologic). Leflunomide, AKA Arava, works well for me, and is better tolerated.