I just took my methotrexate injection and I'm kind a running scared. Trying to think of something that'll counteract the side effects

Thinking of taking another milligram of Folic acid and I can't ask my doctor cause she's nowhere to be found Any ideas other than that?

[Kittykatxxxxx]

What side effects are you getting? Taking folic acid on the day of the mtx stops it working properly I think. Trying to relax and drinking some water may help. Plus ginger for the nausea. I have it as a tea. Maybe have a nap.

[Hidden]

The Side effects will start tonight I'll get very tired I'm the mouth sores all come back worse by Tuesday I'll be so bloated and just feels so tired I won't be able to get up I have not been nauseous thing goodness I drink a lot of water pineapple juice I watch what I eat and stay away from caffeine and sugar

[Hidden]

Depending on how you're feeling either sleeping if you're very nauseous + ginger, or distraction if you're just generally not feeling good, to stop you dwelling on things. I used to take Mtx last thing on Friday night, sleep off the worst of the nausea and distract myself with books and movies through the weekend. Stick to plain foods and peppermint tea is very good for bloating/ discomfort.

Cece x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I'll look for the peppermint tea I don't have a nausea as yet hopefully I won't

[Hidden]

How much folic acid are you prescribed? I seem to remember there being a debate about what dose was required. Some stick to the 5mg 6 days a week, which is what I take and others say that once a week is sufficient.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Doc said 1 mg a day but to counteract the effects of the nasty side effects I thought I would try to milligrams of the folic acid I can't talk to her till the second week of November

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

o

no I really don't know what to do I took the 2 mg this morning so it's too late for today

[Hidden]

My rheumy said to take one mg a day I was thinking taking 2mg

A day. I don't no if that's okay

[earthwitch in reply to Hidden]

Abby, its important to only take the minimum you need to deal with the side effects, and not to increase any medication without checking with the doctor and having a good reason to. If you take too much folic acid, then the MTX wont be as effective. Stick with the amount your doctor told you (and as others have said, don't take it on MTX day) and only ask you doctor if you can increase it if you really can't tolerate the side effects. If you do need to increase it, increase as little as you can get away with, to make sure the MTX does its job. Otherwise you run the risk of having to increase the MTX much higher (which might increase the side effects even more). Try to remember that not everyone gets nasty side effects from it, and you do get used to it over time.

[Hidden in reply to earthwitch]

Thank you for the advice. I'll just take the 1 mg of folic acid each day but the doc never told me not to take it on the day I take the methotrexate. Yeah I sure don't want to take anymore of that MTX then I have to. I will

wait and talk to my doc

[allanah]

Don't wait., that's ages away! Call the Rheumy hotline I think, no use guessing doseages lol! if u call them they will tell u what to do on the phone! Hope u feel better soon xx

[Hidden in reply to allanah]

I was worring about feeling sick bloating feeling wiped out. I won't take

the wrong amount of

folic acid again.

[lorann]

Hi Abby, from my standpoint of years of doing this stuff I think I can reassure you, you have done no harm. Though, in the future, please do check with your doctor before changing a dosage.

The question of how much and when with Folic Acid has been around here and everywhere for years Jut simply varies by the doctor.

I have been on MTX for atleast 30 years..Folic Acid not so long. My current Rx is for 1mg Folic Acid, take 1-2 tablets daily. That was written when I was loosing so much hair and my nails were awful during and after a big, long lasting flare.

Now and for the last couple years, I just take 1mg daily. My doc also never mentioned not takng it on the day of MTX Theoretically, these drugs take time to be absorbed and not likely to be totally effective in one day. Keeping the blood level up, rather than having that dip on the day you don't take it, is what they are aiming for.

But, the other school of thought is not necessarily wrong...just different.

Bottom line is fear not, you have done no harm, but be sure to check with your doc before you try it again.

As a point of interest..let us know if there was any difference in the side-effects todayxx

[Hidden]

I took my methotrexate injection yesterday early morning. By now usually I'm arty starting to feel like I would have the flu and would not have slept well last night. However after taking an extra milligram folic acid I feel pretty good. I slept good and I don't feel like I have the flu. However I may have counteracted the effects of the methotrexate. Maybe I shouldn't say this but I feel really good today! Lol

[allanah]

Good ! I am glad to hear it but I would double check tomorrow with the Rheumy staff they are happy for you to continue lol , have a good sleep tonight too. !

[Hidden in reply to allanah]

I will talk to my rhumey, but I just want to feel good a few more days before I call the office. Hahahaha

[allanah in reply to Hidden]

Lol, u r naughty! He will probably say yes anyway lol, unless u turn into a folic acid monster by tomorrow ha ha xxxxx

[Hidden]

You are so funny! I won't turn into a full like acid junkie. I took only 1 mg today and I feel so good. I'll probably pay the price for what I've done but it was worth it lol lol