Methotrexate !?!?!?

[mickyb]

I have been on methotrexate injections for three years now and I've started getting the same side affects as I did from taking methotrexate orally .........what can I take instead of methotrexate ????

[Hidden]

Maybe you could talk to your RA nurse to see if you can have a lower dose. I sometimes wonder if it builds up inside me because I have random weeks when it makes me feel sick again.

I assume you take Folic acid on several days? I also drink lots of fluids on MTX day in the hope it washes out as quick as possible.

Varying the time of the jab helps some, as they sleep through the worst bits. No use to me as I don't sleep that well on a good day!

Anyway, hope you get some relief soon.

[bassiefromholland]

Hi

Leflunomide can be an option. But you better can ask your Rheumy offcourse!

Wish you all the best!

[Jacki08]

Hi-- I've had to come off mthx because of an allergic reaction which started 4 weeks ago. I started taking it in Sept 2014, it did affect my stomach but worked wonders for the disease-"gave me my life back. Like Phoebe says you will need to speak to your nurse or consultant -- there are lots of different drugs you could be offered. Good luck ☺x

[keeta in reply to Jacki08]

Hi love same thing happened to me.also .my last 3 blood test says my alt liver function is going up .It is 113 at the moment .so they have taken me off methetrexate and can't take any painkillers so not a happy bunny.think I will be looking for something else soon. Love to you all. Kathy

[nomoreheels]

Hiya mickyb. Subcut MTX is my only DMARD & last year had noticeable inflammation in my feet & wrists, quite unusual for me. A locum Rheumy increased my dose to 20mg (from 17.5mg) & I had a similar experience as you, not quite as bad as when I was on tablets but it was disruptive.

I've been 'allowed' to reduce the dose back to 17.5mg (possibly 15mg eventually) with the proviso I add either leflunomide or sulfasalazine (actually he wanted me on hydroxychloroquine again but I refused to go back there, tried the two & it didn't work). Anyway.... just thinking maybe you could discuss something along these lines with your Rheumy or nurse, if MTX has been good otherwise at controlling you it would seem a shame to have to give up on it, that is unless you're not happy with it!

You're taking folic acid aren't you? If you're not taking it 6 days already you could ask if that could be increased too. Also make sure you're keeping hydrated, especially if you're still in India.

There are options so all is not lost, hopefully your Rheumy appreciates how difficult it can be when your meds cause reactions.

[helixhelix]

There are loads of other drugs, so doesn't mean all is lost if your reaction to it is changing. I do well on it, so it's one of my fears that I'll suddenly stop tolerating it. And I try to calm myself down by looking at the long list of other possible drugs - about 20 of them with all the old fashioned ones and new ones. Maybe keep a bit of a diary of symptoms for a bit so you can be sure that it's the MTX causing the problems and not something else.

[Cagsie]

Just like you the side effects just got worse no matter what I did. Don't do as I did and just stopped it as I couldn't take feeling awful any more. Saw the Rheumatologist on a routine appointment some weeks later, explained how awful I felt, commenced on Leflunomide. Took a while to work but feel like me again, didn't exactly get told off by the Rheum but advised not to do that again but phone up in future. Good luck with your journey xx