Methotrexate and the sun.....?

[Soreknees2016]

I have recently seen a few posts mentioning issues with reactions to sunlight while on methotrexate. I started mtx 7 weeks ago, currently on 15mg, with no adverse effects. I am about to head to Portugal for a short break, with the sole intention of lazing on the beach for a few days, and now feeling a wee bit concerned! Is there anything I should be aware of or look out for? TIA.

[popsmith1874]

Just the usual ones, plenty off high factor sun cream, stay out sun when it's at it's hottest, keep head covered up as you don't want sun stroke and the most important thing enjoy yourself😎😎

[Moomin8]

I'll be honest - I don't have a problem with the sun😎But of course: wear a high factor sun cream and a hat. Have a great time!

[helixhelix]

Take it gradually. Some people have no problems, and others like me have to exist in shades, big hats and flowing garments. So use high factor suncream to start and see how you go. What you don't want is to ruin your whole holiday on first day by coming out in itchy bumps because you were too long in the sun.

[Soreknees2016]

Thanks for your replies guys - got my Factor 30 and big floppy hat at the ready! We're going to a spa hotel so might just cut out the middle man and opt for a fake tan! 😜

[MarshaM]

I only noticed my skin feeling like it was burning the first few times after starting MTX, but play tennis during the day now and sometimes remember to ware sun cream, and when I don't, I don't feel any extra burning like it did at first. Now i don't feel like there's any differene from before I started MTX.

[Selbel]

Hi I'm just about to start mxt.., would you advise to take with food and plenty of water? I was on slfz previously and you wasn't allowed to sit in the sun x

[Maeve31 in reply to Selbel]

Yes, definitely take with food.

I take it in the middle of my porridge. Whenever I forget and take without food, or with a smaller breakfast I get hours of awful burping and indigestion.

[Gnarli in reply to Selbel]

Drink loads of water if you can and take with food. I take it with my main meal of the day. I don't even want to think of the heartburn it could give me. Best of luck. Hugs

[nomoreheels in reply to Selbel]

I used to take tablets divided through the day with meals Selbel. I started on 15mg so took 2 tablets with breakfast, lunch & dinner & had no problems. I hope the same for you however you choose to take yours. Drinking plenty of water is good too, flushes your kidneys, always helpful with the meds we need. I hope your fears aren't realised, it's not guaranteed you'll have any hair loss & if you do it generally settles the longer you're on it. More importantly, given some time for it to work, you notice positive changes. 🙂

[Gnarli]

I'm currently in France and we've had temperatures of up to 37°C. High factor sun cream, big hat, stay in shade between 11 and three and maybe pack a couple of loose cover up tops and trousers or dresses. If its hot and you are in and out of the sea/pool to keep cool please remember to reapply sun cream. Other than that I hope you have a lovely time.

Jan

[Eiram50 in reply to Gnarli]

I'm off to Budapest with my daughters next week. Since commencing biologics and Mtx, it will be my first time I'm very high temps- I'm glad of all the advice given!

Marie

[Gnarli in reply to Eiram50]

Ooh, how lovely! One thing I forgot was if you buy cotton or linen clothes, they're a darn sight more comfy than synthetics. I hope you all have an amazing time!

J

[Eiram50 in reply to Gnarli]

Thank you so much

Marie

[nomoreheels]

It's all dependent. I know that sounds like a cop out so I'll explain! When I first started MTX I lived in a sunny country, never once burned even having my prescribed 20 or 30 minutes unprotected Vitamin D fix. The difference of course was that I had a decent tan from April to October. Fast forward 3 years & back in the UK sitting for an hour in the garden my legs really caught, never had I turned red, ever, I'm fortunate in that I tan easily. Lesson learnt & whether it was being in a different country, differing ozone layer or what I don't know but I'm now very careful, particularly if it's the first properly sunny day of the season.

So, I'd go a bit Bohemian & take some loose fitting floaty tops just in case you find you need to cover up, there's plenty to choose from in the shops just now. Test the water, dip in & out of the sun if on the beach & have someone check you're not catching regularly. I'd also go a little higher than the factor sun cream you'd normally use, you can always go down if you find you're ok, you can't undo damage done by using what you normally would & finding it's not adequate enough for you.

Don't let worrying about the sun spoil your hols, just be sun aware for the first few days! 😊

[Soreknees2016]

Thanks everyone for your kind advice - all packed and ready to go - at 4am!!! 😱😱😱. Will post if I encounter any problems. xx