Can methotrexate give you migraines?

[Bella1]

I have been taking it for about 10 mos and have just recently started having daily migraines and am wondering if it is from the methotrexate.

[helixhelix]

I've certainly had side effects pop up after a long time on MTX. In my case it was mouth ulcers that started after I'd been on the same dose of MTX for over a year. But migraines can be due to lots of things, so might be best to go and ask GP to check you out. Polly

[Bella1 in reply to helixhelix]

Thanks for your reply. I will talk to my RA dr before I make any decisions.

[k3let]

YES!! with me anyway, been on it off and it for years, finally stopped it a few months ago due to migraines being my worst side effect. Unfortunately I still get migraines but not as frequent and not the day after taking my methotrexate. Took along time for the Doc to acknowledge the link though! Try and keep your fluids up and mention it to doc too xx

[Bella1 in reply to k3let]

Thank you for your reply. It will help me make a very serious decision.

[watson3]

Hi Bella,

I changed over from tablets to injection form, that helped me. I now suffer from them very infrequently.

good luck

carole

[francherry]

Yes, I certainly think so, as I never had them until I started taking methotrexate. They were so horrendous (and accompanied by a numb feeling all down the right hand side) that when they first started I ended up in the Hyper Acute Stroke Unit at hospital. Luckily, I didn't have a stroke but migraine with aura, and they are ongoing now even though I stopped MTX in January. Agree with Polly best to get it checked out with your GP, as I think there can be multiple triggers for migraine apart from medicine, like diet, stress, bright lights etc. My migraine has improved slightly since I changed my diet but seems to get worse at a certain time of the month.

[Bella1 in reply to francherry]

Thanks. My RA dr doesn' t think the headaches with aura have anything to do with the MTX. I know they do. I was also not taking my folic acid for 3 weeks because the prescription ran out and I didn't renew it. Since starting the folic acid again I have stopped the migraines. Bella

[k3let]

Sorry, I should have also said my daily folic acid helped me a wee bit too, good to hear you have improved and I hope it continues xx