Swollen Face - Help !

[Virgi]

Ive been on Methotrexate for 7 months -

Since around September Ive been waking up some days and some not with my face swollen for over a month now - I thought it was from eating shrimp but today it happenned again - all I did yesterday was take Celebra yesterday whichi I dont normally take - i tolerate my pain rather than taking pills - do you think the Methotrexate is givine me an allergic reaction? Im really worried !

Appreciate your replies

[Carebear]

Hi Virgi,

I would think it unusual that after several months on Methotrexate, than you are now having an allergic reaction.  But then again, I'm not a medical person.  Have you changed your dosage lately?  The only swelling I've read about with relation to Methotrexate is edema in the legs.

Celebra side effects do include swelling of the face though. 

Regardless of the cause, I think you should see your doctor right away.  This has the possibility of being something serious.

[Joe S.]

MTX gave me white poop. Contact your doctor for a good answer.

[Virgi]

Yes, I will be looking to get an appointment this week with the doctor - its definitely not normal - whether its a symptom of SS or an allergic reaction to MTX - gotta discuss it with him.

Im starting a Journal on what I eat and pain, sleep, activities, etc. This I should have done a long time ago with diligence -

The poop hahahah - well me too - but its a yellowish pale color - or real dark other times - but definitely not the color it should be. Sorry to be so graphic.

I dislike Methotrexate - but everybody tells me to keep taking it :S

[Carebear]

Virgi,

Here goes a question asking TMI.  Are your stools tarry and dark coloured?  If so, that's a side effect of Methotrexate you should speak with your doctor about too.  Good luck.

[Virgi]

Hi Carebear,

hmm - no tarry stools - some very dark colored - but not black black - ive been watching out for this cuz it is very dangerous right ?

yes TMI - but all for a good cause

[irish]

I don't know how often you take the Celebra, but I would wonder if that is the offending medication. Think back over the month.

Also, is there anything else that you are doing that is different. How about other foods that you are eating? Also, how about drug interactions with some of the foods you are eating. You will need a detective.

My hubby had the hives off and on---mostly on for about 6-8 months one time and we held just about every pill he was on a few days to see if it made any difference. All of a sudden I got to wondering about his Spireva inhale. Held the darn thing and sure enough the hives went away. It was a corker while it was going on. Irish

P.S. What meds do you take prior to going to bed.? Seems that might be a clue also. We can get an allergic reaction that develops suddenly from a med we have been on for years. Out body sure like to screw with us doesn't it? Irish

[stephL]

I used to get a badly swollen face as one of my sjogrens symptoms. I do mean badly, my whole face would swell, not just the parotid glands. I assume it was caused by inflammation of my salivary glands. The swelling was at his worst in the morning. But it would subside a good bit during the day while I was in an upright position, so that by evening, my face would look something close to normal. I began sleeping in semi-reclining position to keep the fluid from pooling in my face. This went on for at least ten years, until I got diagnosed, and Plaquenil resolved it.

[Virgi]