Bleugh!

[Angie2212]

Hi guys.

Im on week 2, day 4 of taking MTX and I feel very seedy, clammy skin and extremely weak. Just came over me without warning. Is this one of the side effects? I had my FA yesterday, 3 says after the drug.

Not the nicest feeling ive had to be honest 😔

[SimplyTheRed]

Hi Angie, I was on max for 8 years and had to take myself off it because of feeling so lethargic, flu type symptoms, aching more! i felt like I was walking through treacle some days! My Rheumy didn't advise me too. However, 3 years later, feeling brighter, still aches and pains but a good balance of life with MTX slowing the disease! It's a horrible drug but monitor your symptoms and see how you go. It take 6 months to get into your body effectively! Hope all goes well. 😉

[Simba1992 in reply to SimplyTheRed]

In UK it is 6m whereas USA if the mtx is not working after 3m you move to biologics. Evidently not anything to do with medical facts rather economic realities? What about the patients? Would be interesting to see research on how these different practices effect the wellbeing of RA sufferers in these different countries.

[stbernhard]

There may be a few side effects that come with MTX, but you are still at a very early stage. I believe for the vast majority this drug works very well. I for one am more than happy to put up with side effects of a drug if it helps to reduce pain and prevents fast deterioration of the joints. I hope you can find the strength to deal with it. Stick with it if you can. All the very best.

[Tee-Cee]

Hello angie.

You are saying week two day four of taking Mtx, worried you are taking more often than once a week, truly hope I have misunderstood.

[Angie2212 in reply to Tee-Cee]

Week 2 as in only had 2 doses. Day 4 was after my 2 dose. Lol. Its bad enough taking it once a week, but back to feeling normal again thankfully

[LyndaKenny]

Hi Angie, I take my second dose today. I had no effect the first one but wondering if I will with the second one. We are both newbies here I think

[nomoreheels]

Hiya Angie. MTX can take anything up to 12 weeks to reach it's full potential, sometimes a little longer. Whilst you may notice changes in your RD before then it's unlikely you will after only 2 weeks. Your Rheumy should really have taken time to explain this to you or given you a leaflet which explains then you weren't expecting to feel better so quickly. This from ARUK is one such which is generally used in my Rheumatology Dept arthritisresearchuk.org/~/m.... You'll notice it says it may be 3-12 weeks before you start to notice benefits though I don't think many of us have been fortunate enough to notice changes as early as 3 weeks, it tends to be more like 8 & they tend to be subtle.

So hang in there & if side effects become a nuisance taking folic acid more often than the one three days later. I started off on one the day after & that was increased to the day before too. My current Rheumy prefers every day except MTX day but there are no specific guidelines, it tends to be the Rheumy's preference. The only day it's not recommended it's taken is the same day as MTX as it's thought it can interfere with the efficacy.

I hope you have a good response to it, I've been taking it 8 years now, my best med to date. 🙂