Methotrexate and side effects

[MariePT]

Hi

I've been taking methotrexate for 9 weeks now and this week was my first full dose, 20mg.

Since taking it I've had really bad lower abdominal pain and flu like symptoms.

Is this normal??

[Hidden]

Hi. I wouldn't say it is normal for Methotrexate to give you these symptoms no. It can impact on the liver and the renal system but problems with these would show up in your regular blood monitoring I imagine. I have had similar side effects with a very different drug recently and have come off it now - also off MTX after two years of taking it in oral and injectable form. MTX is a powerful drug and the body can take a fair while to get used to it. I did find that side effects varied a lot from week to week, month to month - even year to year.

Any adverse side effects at all however should be reported to your GP or rheumy nurse as soon as possible just to make sure they aren't significant. So I would report your symptoms to your relevant health care providers as soon as possible. Hope it settles down for you soon.

[helixhelix]

Could be coincidence, but as Twitchy says do tell your health team just in case. And if it persists tomorrow, and especially if you have raised temperature, then go to GP anyway.

[Paulromi]

I had this as well around week 8-10. Stomach hurt so bad it went around to the lower back. Doc said it had something to do with the meds messing with the stomach lining. Not sure about the flu like symptoms though. It did stop for me as my side effects stopped shortly after that. Hopefully for you too.