I was recently diagnosed with RA, after taking my MTX, I am exhausted, I can sleep for hours, I am always tired. Is this normal?

[Rosi1213]

[LucyLocket42]

Hi Rosi1213 I wouldn't say your reaction is 'normal' but it is not uncommon. Everyone reacts differently to these drugs and I know some people who say that MTX has massively improved their lives. That said, I felt much the same as you when I was on MTX (I'm now off it and have recently started Enbrel instead). I had to change my working hours when on it so that I didn't work either on MTX day or the next day. Like you, I just needed to sleep. I was totally washed out all of the time. Fatigue has been a big issue for me with the RA and MTX seemed to make everything so much worse. It didn't help the pain or stiffness either so I didn't feel that there was any benefit in taking it. Eventually my consultant agreed.

You don't say how long you have been on MTX but I think the side effects improve in time for many people so it is probably worth persevering if you can. Are you taking Folic Acid? Increasing the amount of Folic Acid you take might help - ask your Rheumatologist or specialist nurse/helpline. In the meantime, listen to your body. If you need to sleep then sleep if you can. Also keep a diary of how you feel and when and make sure this gets discussed at your next appointment.

Good luck.

[allanah]

It might be Rosi. I was very exhausted after having my meds and also just because the RA itself makes you very tired as your body is fighting itself.however anaemia is quite common in RA so it's worth a chat with the gp just in case. There's loads of info on nras.org.uk which really helped me when I was first diagnosed . X

[helixhelix]

Uncontrolled RA can cause a fatigue that goes way beyond tired, where you have zero energy and just feel totally zapped. So if you've only just started the meds it could just be a result of the disease.

I take MTX and it works brilliantly for me, but I know that I have to sleep for 12 hours after taking it - so take it as I go to bed (early) and make sure I can have a lie in the following morning. If I don't I feel exhausted for days. It did take about 3 months at the start to adapt to it, and to begin with it really made me feel rubbish.

But I do also need to sleep more anyway. Before I got RA I averaged about 5 hours sleep a day. Now I'm useless if I don't have 8 hours., and my RA is well controlled!

[Jora]

I'm constantly exhausted since the RA struck last Summer. On MTX day and the one after, it's even worse. I had hoped that this wretched side effect would lessen over time - and I hope it does for you. We are all different, so you may well adapt. I'm due to start Anti TNF soon and I believe that for some, this results in far less fatigue. I live in hope. Of course, as well as the meds, fatigue is a feature of the disease itself , especially if it's not properly under control. zz