Methotrexate

[Athens94]

I have been on Methotrextate for around 6 weeks or so now and I'm having a hard time with the side effects; nausea, diarrhoea etc.

I read somewhere that there is an injection which could be better than the tablet as it bypasses the gut and therefore avoids these symptoms.

has anyone got any experience with this that could give me a bit more info?

[Ianrussell69]

Hi I took methatrexate tads for 12 months felt dreadful every time told the rumi consultant and he put me on the injections what a difference been injecting for 9 weeks only felt bad once ( this weekend over did it )it really is better and don't worry about injecting yourself it comes in an auto injection and I have not felt jay thing yet totally painless best of luck methatrexate hangovers are not fun

[Athens94 in reply to Ianrussell69]

Great hear that it makes a difference, I take it on a Tuesday and I feel awful from Wednesday right through to Saturday, still groggy on a Sunday then almost feel human on a Monday just to take it again on Tuesday, feels never ending!

Plus you've already answered my next question because I wasn't sure if I'd be able to do it myself or if I'd have to visit the hospital every week for an injection. Thanks!

[Ianrussell69 in reply to Athens94]

I used to take tabs on Friday morning by 5 I was feeling rough sat and Sunday were duvet days work on Monday

[Peterlupy]

I had nausea problems with MTX when I first started taking them and my consultant reduced the dosage slightly. The nausea problem has now been greatly reduced. Taking the MTX with food also helps the stomach tolerate them!

As monthly blood tests are necessary to monitor MTX treatment I didn't wish to have any additional needles for fear of becoming a pin cushion!

[Athens94 in reply to Peterlupy]

I always take the MTX with my dinner at night but the following few days my body just can't seem to handle any food, even toast doesn't agree with me.

I've always hated taking tablets so I don't mind the thought of an injection, just be like when we had to have weekly bloods in the beginning I suppose

[Dessi72]

Hi Athens94. To provide some input regarding the side effects you are experiencing with methotrexate tabs. I had to stop them as I could not tolerate them in tablet form and I now inject myself. I have not looked back since. I had to go on a trial basis to see which level I could tolerate and once this was identified I have been much improved. Speak with your Lupus Nurse or specialist and ask about the inject method. Good luck and hope you feel better soon. Sending gentle hugs Dessi34. X

[Athens94 in reply to Dessi72]

Hi Dessi72, I'm glad the injection is working better for you than the tablets. I see my dermatologist again on Tuesday so I'll see what he suggests.

Did you have to go to the hospital the the first few injections or were you able to do it yourself straight away? and where do you inject it if you don't mind me asking? x

[Dessi72 in reply to Athens94]

Hi Athens94. In reply to your questions. I had to go to the clinic nurse to be shown how to inject a couple of times, then I was on my own. The Home and Health care deliver my supplies of methotrexate injection prefixed pens and other necessary equipment i.e. Swabs, cotton wool balls, plasters and waste disposal bins. If your consultant thinks injections are for you then you will be shown the whole procedure. At this stage don't worry all will be explained thoroughly and there is always a nurse on the help line should you need additional advice. You are given a booklet which shows you how to use the metoject pen and where. I inject in the top of my legs and stomach. Be assured is is extremely easy once you have used the pen a couple of times. Listen to the nurse and read the booklet. The new type of metoject pen has made self injection very easy and you will manage easily. Yes, it can be daunting at first but like everything else we have to do, you will find is a doddle when you become used to using the equipment. Hope the above is of help and as I have previously, there is nothing to worry about if yuh do go on self inject. Take care Dessi73

[Athens94 in reply to Dessi72]

Thank you for taking the time to reply, you have been very helpful and have helped put my mind as ease.

Fingers crossed all goes well x

[misty14 in reply to Athens94]

Good luck Athens for your dermatology appt on Tuesday. Hope you sort the MTX out, horrible having such side effects. Keep us posted. X

[Athens94 in reply to misty14]

Thank you, I will do x

[tduvall68]

I have been on this for a little a year now, and it is normal to have the side effects that you are having. Now for the injection, that is very touching cause it is going straight in and it will not have the key effect of slowly being absorb. Many doctors will look at your levels in your blood and look at your history, cause this is mainly for people who have cancer, but it does work on people like us. Weird.

Now I say with very much concern, please make sure you are having blood work done every 8 weeks due to how harsh this medicine can do to your body. I am in the medical field here in the states, and if you are on this medicine, pill or injection, you must have it on a standing order to have labs done every 8 weeks. Very important. I do blood work every 8 weeks, and it is a standing order for one year each time, and a lot of doctors here, will not refill until you have this done.

So please make sure you talk to your doctors about this and please take care of your shelf.

God bless and hugs From Fort Collins, Colorado

Terri

[Maverick77]

I also had these problems with methotrexate and I changed to injections. I had no more problems with nausea or diarrhoea but the methotrexate did nothing to ease my symptoms so I stopped it and am now on mycofenolate.