Hi everyone,
I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in August, and have just started taking Methotrexate (after hydroxychloroquine didn't help). I have been on it for two days now, and today I have been feeling very sick and exhausted. Is this a common reaction, and does it pass quickly? Any advice very welcome!
xx
Hello, sorry you're not feeling well. The side effects of methetrexate are just as you've described so don't paint 
they aren't very nice and I know when I started taking it I felt like I'd been hit by a bus!! Felt dizzy, sick, really tired and generally foggy!! It goes get better as your body gets more used to the dose. Tell your nurse or consultant about your side effects though and keep going for your blood tests to check you're responding ok take care x
Thank you so much. That's just it - I feel like I've been hit by a bus!! I'm so tired I crawled into bed at 6.45! It's good to know it does get better. Thank you!
xx
No worries sometimes just knowing there's nothing "extra" wrong can be a relief, even if it doesn't change the effects! Allow yourself to take it easy with this, getting used to methetrexate is a slog, but it's worth it when it kicks in. I find the effects hit me a few days after I've taken it so when I plan social events I try and keep that in mind. You'll get used to it x
Oh and I meant don't panic, not dont paint! You paint away if you feel so inclined hehe! X
Oh goodie. I haven't the strength to put all my paints away at the moment 
Thanks again! xx
The RA itself could be causing the tiredness its even been given a name now CFS Chronic Fatigue Syndrome I have suffered with it myself recently. It will occur when the RA is particularly active but should subside once the inflammation reduces.
Good luck with your treatment
Hi---I presume you've been given folic acid to take? I also find that drinking lots of water helps with the side effects. Your body will soon get used to it and the effects won't be as bad. Good luck☺x
Hiya Flutey. As has been said it does sound like a common reaction & should ease the longer you take it. I don't get why many Rheumy's don't explain this when they prescribe it, mine did, he said it was quite common (!) so I was somewhat prepared. That said we're all different & react differently to meds. Some get away with a little nausea & others never tolerate it but hopefully you'll settle into it, it is a very good med if you give it a chance & get past this stage.
You say you've been on it two days, you realise it's only taken once a week don't you? You don't say what dose you take but if symptoms persist & you're taking enough folic acid do mention it to your Rheumy nurse. My Consultant increased the days I took folic acid which helped for a while until I changed to injections & my present Rheumy increased folic acid to 6 weekly & I've been generally ok now for 5 years.
Don't suffer if it continues, there are options to help you feel less bleurrgghh.
I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis in June this year and was put on Methotrexate, it made me so very ill especially with awful nausea. My hair fell out really bad also, and the weight dropped off me. I then tried self injecting but I was still so ill, barely eating or drinking. In the end I was taken off it.
Now I'm on sulfasalazine although still have nausea on and off, sometimes really horribly. I think my body can't handle the medication and it is very hard and depressing, I've lost over a stone.
Hi Alison- the side effects are not fun from the DMARDS. I lost 35 pounds over 9 months then my weight started stabilizing. I attributed the weight loss to the side effects of the meds and the RA. Hang in there and take care. Cheers Doreen
I agree with the others that it will be the rheumatoid itself making you so tired. Rest up and control stress levels as will help.
Hi Flutey,
I inject metotrexate every week on thursday. I have don it 3 times now and the next two days I am very tired and a bit sick. I hope it will go better when I am using it for a longer time.
You haven't to take it every day I hope, because I understood you will have to take it once a week.
You can phone your Rheumy and ask her
Wish you all the best!
Bas
When you say you've been on it for 2 days I really hope you're not taking it every day! You MUST only take it ONCE a week.
For me the first nine weeks were rough, but then the side effects wore off and it started working and it's been ok since . And I've been taking it for 5 years now.
Hello! I was diagnosed in August too and was put straight onto mtx 25mg. the first dose I was extremely tired and nauseated after for a couple days but the nausea has improved greatly now although I still feel very tired for the next day or so. Not sure if it's worth it yet, I did start to feel better but now having a huge flare up again 
Hope that you see some good results from the methotrexate! Good luck x
Thank you so much to everyone! Yup, I am only taking it once a week - I meant I was two days in post taking it (what I wrote was confusing - oops!). It's good to hear things ease up - it's hard feeling like this and having to work etc!
Naproxen and Methotrexate 
Methotrexate issue
Methotrexate Increase
Methotrexate
