Methotrexate

[Arlene61]

Hey I'm new to here. I'm starting to take methotrexate injections next week and was wondering what the side affect are Iv heard some horror story's about the first 48 hrs after each injection. Thanks

[Mifford]

Hi. I have literally just done my 5th injection and my 1st one using the pen rather than needles. Obviously everyone reacts differently but in my case I was really sick with the tablets but seem to be able to tolerate the injections better. I do mine in the evening so I sleep through most of the side effects - last week I did it at bedtime but it made a pain the next night when I wanted to go to bed early but had to wait up to take mynfolic acid so I've gone back to early evening this week. In general the first 24 hours I get really REALLY hot as if I am radiating from the inside out and I don't sleep so well the first night. I have sometimes had a bad headache from it almost to migraine level and I do get very very tired. I've had one or two that have made me feel quite rough the next day but others that haven't and I don't know what the difference is between the two reactions but I'd guess it would depend on what else I've been doing that day as to how "challenged" I am anyway. I do mine on a Thursday evening as I can take Fridays off and take it easy in case I do feel bad. I've had a mildly upset stomach and some nausea but I get those anyway so not sure if it's that causing it - plus I'm flaring st the moment which might explain some of how I feel without factoring in the methotrexate.

For me on the whole there is definitely a reaction and I do feel rough the day after but it hasn't been as bad as I expected it to be and I've had worse reactions from other drugs. The injections weren't as bad as I expected doing them either - mentally it took quite a block persuading myself to do the injection and I also had the same block hitting the button on the pen version just now but once i got past the first one it really isn't as bad as I imagined it to be - I hate needles but have no problem doing it once a week.

Good luck and I hope you tolerate it well without too many nasty side effects with it

[Arlene61 in reply to Mifford]

thank you xx

[Mifford]

Oh and the thing that surprised me more than anything is that once it's in it stings. Quite strongly. Not to the point of putting you off but I wasn't expecting the medication to sting as much as it did. Now I view it as a good indicator that I got the injection right but thought I'd mention it as if put k ow it'll happen it won't surprise you so much

[Arlene61 in reply to Mifford]

Thank you x

[LouLamb]

I took the injections for a while . I had to problems with the first one I was fine . My leg hurt for a little while every time after injected

[Arlene61 in reply to LouLamb]

Thank you x

[Arlene61 in reply to LouLamb]

Thank you 😍

[happytulip]

I did my first injection on Monday and so far I had about 5 mins of nausea and felt really cold for about 30 mins. Occasionally over the past 4 days I have felt a little warm. I felt some fatigue on Wednesday but I think that is because I have been more active. The injection itself didn't hurt at all. I use the pen method. I've had anti-coagulation meds injected into my stomach before and that really stung in comparison. I also take folic acid 3 times a week 5mg to combat nausea, just in case.

The tablets were another story: two solid weeks of nausea, weakness, vomiting, abdo pain dizziness. I ate nothing but jelly for two weeks. It wasn't good.

I've only had one injection so far so maybe I've just been lucky in the first week but the side effects so far have been significantly better than the tablets. In fact I'm probably eating a little too much!

[Arlene61 in reply to happytulip]

Thank you xx

[Bakbre]

Hi there Arlene61

I was on Methotrexate for 4 weeks in tablet form and my stomach didn't really get on with it but I saw an awful lot of the bathroom! I was then put on the weekly injections and that particular problem passed. Unfortunately on the injections I was losing my hair which came out at an alarming rate, I was very tired and it gave me splitting headaches. I was then put on Azathioprine which was ineffective so after 14 weeks on that I was put back on Methotrexate weekly injections but at only half the previous dose. Alas it still gave me the same bad side affects and I was taken off it again.

Having said all that I know 3 other people who are on the same Methotrexate injections I was on and they swear by it and have no side affects apart from a little tiredness, which they all say is a small price to pay to be free from pain.

I think you are just going to have to try and see - Good Luck!

[Poshcards]

I started methojet injections about 1 year ago now. I am on 25mg, I was nauseous on 20 mg of tablets. I have been absolutely fine on the injections. So much easier than taking all those tablets. I sometimes feel a tad sick the next day but nothing major. I take mine before bedtime. Hope this helps x

[Poshcards]

by the way, I inject into my tummy x

[Ianrussell69]

Hi I take methatrexate on Friday and generally feal a bit sluggish like I'm just starting with a cold the first month was the worst as the nurse told me expect some duvet days and roll with it after a couple of months my legs were getting better and the tyerdness got better but if you get a cold or infection I do not take it because it takes a long time to get over .you may be ok definitely try it though