Mtx nausea increasing - normal?: Hi all - I am on my... - NRAS

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Mtx nausea increasing - normal?

seneca profile image
8 Replies

Hi all - I am on my sixth week of methotrexate 10mg. Felt absolutely fine for the first 2 weeks, but every week after that brought greater nausea. Feeling very sick now. It seems that most people have a decrease in nausea the longer they take mtx, or as they get accustomed to it? I'm taking 5mg folic acid on the other 6 days per week, and drinking loads of water.

Sorry if this seems like a trivial question, but here in South Africa they don't monitor us as closely as they do in the UK - after the initial pre-medication blood test, the next test is only scheduled for mid-July, after 9 rounds of mtx. Just worried, and needing reassurance that others have had similar nausea increase without adverse liver effects. Thanks in advance!

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seneca
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helixhelix profile image
helixhelix

It takes a couple of weeks to build up in your body, so it can take a while to feel the effects - positive and negative. I remember for me the side effects got worse for 9 weeks, and then wore off. Your liver is able to repair itself very well.

However we're all different so if concerned discuss with your GP.

seneca profile image
seneca in reply to helixhelix

Thanks so much Helixhelix - that's exactly what I needed to hear (that side effects can worsen initially). i will definitely go to GP if it gets any worse.

Laura_dilcock profile image
Laura_dilcock

My nausea continued to get worse and never eased. I switched to injections at 15mg, which helped for a while as it bypasses the stomach, but eventually at 25mg mtx I had to insist on stopping treatment.... the side effects were so bad for such little improvement for me. My blood results were fine throughout though, obviously just sensitive to it. X

seneca profile image
seneca in reply to Laura_dilcock

Thanks Laura, that's reassuring (bloods OK despite nausea) and troubling (neverending side effects) at the same time! I know I can switch to injections to bypass the nausea but I think I'm supposed to give it a good couple of months to see if the nausea passes of its own accord. Sounds like you had a really bad time with mtx. I hope you've found some meds that are kinder to you and more effective.

Laura_dilcock profile image
Laura_dilcock in reply to seneca

Hope the nausea wears off for you 🤞x

Laura_dilcock profile image
Laura_dilcock

Am trying azathioprine and prednisone at the mo. No side effects (apart from weight gain) but not great improvements either. Have just increased dosage though so fingers crossed 😊

seneca profile image
seneca in reply to Laura_dilcock

Wishing you the best. I work with someone who has been on that same combo (azathioprine + prednisone) for more than 10 years and she is doing really well - goes to gym every day. (Didn't know you could take prednisone for so long, though?) It's nice to see dmard success stories in real life.

Laura_dilcock profile image
Laura_dilcock in reply to seneca

That's great 😁 would love to get to a level where I can be more active again. Good luck with mtx, it works great for so many people so fingers crossed for you x

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