Can Methotrexate cause anxiety?

[Soreknees2016]

Just wondering if this is a known side effect. I’m not normally an anxious person, although I have suffered periods of anxiety attacks following major life traumas, like bereavement, usually some time after the event, and for which I needed treatment.

Just recently I have again been having these anxiety feelings that come on for no reason, but there hasn’t really been anything major going on that I would attribute this to.

Got a telephone consultation booked with GP in 10 days time after my next blood test as she apparently has concerns about this week’s test, so would be interesting to know if anyone else has experienced this.

[tubbyman]

Hi Soreknees,

I have just come back from my Rheumy appointment and have been told to stop MTX and one of the reasons was the anxiety that I have been suffering with. This is one of the many side effects that I had but was by far the worse one for me. Never suffered from anxiety before and apparently this can be a side affect of MTX.

Hope you get sorted

[Soreknees2016 in reply to tubbyman]

Thanks Tubbyman - hope you start to feel better soon, it’s such a horrible feeling. Have you been offered an alternative DMARD?

[Susierheumy in reply to tubbyman]

Only taken two lots of Mtg and suffering severe panic attack.Have been told to stop but only because there are slight toxins in my livrper already.Have suffered anxiety and panic attacks before.Only diagnosed with RA in January and while on prednisilone felt on top of the world.

[Ali_H]

Can I add to that ‘or short temperedness’. I take my MTX on Thursdays and used to teach all day on Thursdays and just muddle through the day with no ill effects other than thirsty and a little headachey on occasions, and enjoying being with the youngsters. But this year my paperwork is on Thursday mornings (I take 1/2 meds’ with breakfast and 1/2 with tea) and I am having distinct short temperedness and some sense of frustration building up in the morning but the paperwork etc hasn’t changed much to last year - is it an unbeknown side effect coming to the fore or not??? I’ve not been anxious per sae! Decided to now take meds on fridays from next week to see if the hub of the class gets me through any such feelings which it might have been doing in the past couple of years.

Sorry Soreknees, hijacked your post a bit there!

All the best

Ali

[Soreknees2016 in reply to Ali_H]

I’m definitely more short-tempered than I used to be, but I reckon that’s more to do with my advancing years - ‘grumpy old woman’ syndrome is definitely kicking in!! Hope changing your mtx day makes a difference - I take mine on a Saturday night so that I can have a lie in and a lazy day on Sunday if I feel the need. Looking forward to an extra hours kip this weekend though! 😃

[woodstar1]

Just a quick reply, I was on methotrexate injections and for me it was awful. I've never ever suffered with any type of depression but a few months on methotrexate, I was awful, never felt so bad. The good news was that with my rheumatologists agreement, once stopped I was back to my normal self. He agreed that in some people it can cause these horrible feelings. Get an appointment and have a word, I'm sure you will be fine too.

[Soreknees2016 in reply to woodstar1]

Thanks for this - did you go on to any alternative DMARD?

[woodstar1 in reply to Soreknees2016]

Yes, I'm on sulfasalazine and Hydroxychloroquine and I'm doing good. I'm sure you'll get to the bottom of it, it's just horrible whilst you're going through it.

[Soreknees2016 in reply to woodstar1]

Gkid stuff - glad to hear that’s working for you 😀

[Soreknees2016 in reply to Soreknees2016]

That should read ‘good stuff’!!!

[woodstar1 in reply to Soreknees2016]

And Turmeric, it really is good stuff. Good luck.

[Khow]

Yep same with me was on them for 6 weeks and had depression and anxiety. All went away about 5/ 7 days after stopped mtx and has never returned, that was 2 years ago. Good luck on your journey. X

[Soreknees2016 in reply to Khow]

That’s good to hear - are you on another DMARD?

[Khow in reply to Soreknees2016]

I have started leflunomide about 4 weeks ago, no side effects 😊 but they are just about to up my dose so fingers crossed. X

[Runny in reply to Khow]

Please what did you take

[Runny in reply to Khow]

What drugs were you on

[Khow in reply to Runny]

Hi. I was on methotrexate.

[Hidden]

Hi everyone, I have been on here for sometime but only posted for the first time yesterday so I am sure I will post more often now. I just wanted to say that on the day after I take Mtx I nearly always feel a bit low and often feel like crying. It only lasts the one day thank goodness, but there must be truth in the fact that it can make you depressed.

[Soreknees2016 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Hidden - that’s really interesting - hope you don’t mind if I share it with Hels1989 , as she’s been feeling very low. X

[Hels1989 in reply to Hidden]

Holly I’m the same honey. Took my first dose Tuesday night and felt very low last night xxx

[nomoreheels]

I'm one of the higher percentage who respond well to MTX & have no issues with it. That's not to say some do. See if this article rings a bell. arthritisresearchuk.org/art...

[Kai--]

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Merely supplemental info/ references, Soreknees2016:

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Yes, a "known side effect", according to:

📄 Anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in use of methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, leflunomide and biological drugs.: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/238...

📄 Methotrexate and Anxiety - from FDA reports: ehealthme.com/ds/methotrexa...

📝 Methotrexate – Medications for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): arthriticchick.com/medicati...]]

.

[Kai-- in reply to Kai--]

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Additional folks discussing topic on various forums/ sites:

🗣 Does Methotrexate cause Anxiety Attacks? treato.com/Methotrexate,Anx...

🗣 Can methotrexate cause mental or mood changes? drugs.com/answers/methotrex...

📄 Methotrexate Side Effects: drugs.com/sfx/methotrexate-...

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[Kai-- in reply to Kai--]

.

May be some other interesting 'possibilities' 🤔 (for skimming) that help 'connect dots', Soreknees2016 (as 'anxiety attacks' touched on in relation to 'life traumas'):

😧 Anticipatory anxiety?: 'Fear' healthunlocked.com/nras/pos...

😨 Dealing with trauma/ stress?: Healing Power of Resilience, Optimism, & Hope: Moving Forward from Trauma, PTSD, Physical & Psychological Abuse & Illness — Dave Pelzer: healthunlocked.com/nras/pos...

🤢 Methotrexate (MTX) side effects: Can I Avoid RA Drugs or Should I Go On Drugs? 'Paddison Program' FAQ Opinion; Also: Methotrexate Explanation & References: healthunlocked.com/nras/pos...

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Wishing you the very best, Soreknees2016. 🙏 🌺 🍀 🌞

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[Soreknees2016 in reply to Kai--]

Thanks Kai - lots of bedtime reading for me tonight! 😀

[Kai-- in reply to Soreknees2016]

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An alternative to counting sheep . . .

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[Hidden]

Yep, same here, feel v low and anxious for at least 2 days after MTX and would have thought it was understandable response to diagnosis but noticed massive difference in mood when i came off it for a week due to breathlessness, felt like ol self again! Have only ever suffered anxiety/panic attacks prior to this after sleepless nights with first born, years ago! May visit GP too as it's causing sleepless nights and anxiety l! I had MTX reduced and hydroxyc added to make up gap but since then have gone from sleeping for Britain to being awake half the night. Mystery eh?

[dscianna]

I was on MTX for 4 years. (Not on it anymore) I have never had anxiety in my life until now. I firmly believe the onset of anxiety is connected to MTX. I have had anxiety for 4 years now, and I am on medication to control the anxiety. 🤔

[Sjhoney]

Hi, I’ve been reading about methotrexate side effects and came across your post. Can I ask what you did? I’m trying this horrible drug for the second time and I’m really struggling with anxiety. It would be helpful to know how you got on. Thanks x

[Soreknees2016 in reply to Sjhoney]

Hi Sjhoney - strangely, that particular episode passed as quickly as it started. Now, I'm not one to dwell on or get overly sentimental about sad anniversaries, but this came on in the week or two leading up to the second anniversary of my beloved little cat, who had been with me for 11 years, being put to sleep. The anxiety stopped immediately that day had passed - weird or what?!

I also had a spell when a few months ago, I would start feeling anxious in the middle of the afternoon, it would last an hour or two and then disappear, and now I get intermittent short spells on a daily basis. I havent been able to establish any kind of pattern with MTX, especially as I have moved the days on which I take it a few times to accommodate holidays and social events when I wanted to have a drink, and don't like taking my tablets on the same day as drinking.

It's all a bit of a mystery, but not affecting me so badly that I feel I need to seek treatment, or come off MTX, which has otherwise not caused me too many problems beyond occasional dodgy liver readings, and definitely seems to be working for me.

I do hope you are able to find a way to alleviate your anxiety, whether thats with or without MTX - if its any help, I have found a course of Fluoxetine (Prozac) to be the most effective drug for treating significant spells of anxiety.

Good luck, and do let me know how you get on. x