This is a bit embarrassing....

Anyone on methotrexate/Folic acid suffer from constipation and indigestion? x

[Hidden]

Hello Lou,

Welcome to the world of the unembarrassed!!

You have no idea how often our inner workings get talked about here. Constipation and indigestion both seem to go with the territory - particularly if you are also taking codeine, diclofenac or similar.

Have a word with your GP. Many of us take additional meds to protect our stomachs and I always keep a stock of Movicol handy. Most of the time though I tend to stick to an unprocessed diet with lots of fruit and veg which does the job (so to speak) xx

[Riedenise]

Hi don't be embarrassed we all are in the same boat here & share some or all of the symptoms. I spoke to my Gp who prescribed something to help. I use lactulose now & that helps. I also take Omeprazole to protect my stomach from the painkillers & other tablets I take. Drink plenty of water etc to hydrate, veg & fruit as well. Hope this helps. Rie x

[magglen]

I had to give up Methotrexate because it gave me horrible tummy cramps especially at night.

[julie_warwick]

omeprazole helps but I get indigestion and heartburn the day after my MTX , no need for embarrassment here !!

[gilox]

I have the opposite problem,if I need to "go" I need it NOW!!! It really is a nightmare, especially when I'm dog walking!!!!Any help very welcome!

[RichardG]

I have a slightly different problem in that for 48 hours after I have taken methotrexate I am extremely smelly. Really not nice to be near myself and takes ages to ventilate the toilet afterwards. All associated with the usual stomach cramps and slight nausea although this seems variable and worse some weeks than others not sure why. However as suggested above a plain diet the day before mtx does seem to help.

[BoneyC]

Try sprinkling linseeds (from H&B) on cereal, yogurt etc. Linseeds have a very high fibre content.

[sciqueen]

I found this a particular problem with oral. It all disappeared after a while when I was using injectable mtx. I found that apart from headache & some tiredness, injectable mtx is the better way to take mtx - less problems.

Sci x

[Joeyrabbit]

Lots of water! I found that I had to increase my water intake and cut out stimulants like diet coke, and cut down heavily on caffeine. Before I came down with all this I thought I was properly hydrated, but then ended up in the hospital with dehydration. It sneaks up on you. If I don't drink enough water in the day i find i get more constipated.

[Hidden]

The water might be the key. Rheumies have never told me to drink a lot of water while on Mtx but I've heard from other doctors that it is a very de-hydrating drug.