Injections

[Angie2212]

Hi Guys,

Hope you are all well.

I havent posted for a while as I thought I was doing well on MTX and my other symptoms were non related. It turns out after months of feeling sick, headaches and one and a half stone loss later I have been told the MTX is working great for me, but giving me acute symptoms!

Aparently as I take it orally it has had an adverse affect on the rest of my body making me ill. Sounds crazy but facts.

I have now to get the MTX injected weekly from this Monday and learn how to self inject.

This means the MTX does not go through my stomach, it will go through the blood and should make me feel better in a week or two. Plus the injection is more beneficial as taking orally you loose around 5% of the drug as it goes through your tummy.

Im so happy I now know why Ive been so ill. Almost 3 months of thinking something was seriously wrong with me as I normally dont get sick.

Who would have thought eh?

Fingers crossed for the next couple of weeks. 🤞

[Hidden]

Hi Angie

I've been diagnosed 4 months, on MTX n hydroxychloroquine now. 20 mg mtx made me feel sick all week + other side effects. Switched to injections and now feel nauseous for just a couple of days; i don't feel them and metoject pen does it all for you really. Good luck

Keren

[Witness2]

You must be mightily relieved. Great to know you can still take MTX! I know it's the uncertainty and mysteries that come with RA that get me down the most.

[Bookworm55]

Hi. I had a similar experience though not as severe as yours. As soon as I went above 12.5 mg of Mtx I started suffering with headaches, stomach pains, nausea and just feeling generally yuk. Had tests for urine infections etc but when all came back negative came to the conclusion that the drugs were causing my symptoms. Reduced Mtx down to 12.5mg and Hydroxychloroquine to 200mg and feel so much better. The consultant is ok with these doses atm as my RD is well controlled by them but has said any increase in disease activity will mean going on to Mtx injections.

[Gnarli]

Hi Angie. I'm sorry you're having a rotten time of it. It's always easier for me to deal with established facts rather than the unknown. If it helps, I've just swapped from MTX tablets to the metoject injections and feeling a heck of a lot better. The metoject is so simple to use and, I find, painless. I took the 4th injection on Friday and. Practically nothing. I was out last night with friends at a live music event and felt good. I know we're all different but the chances are you too will benefit from the change. Wishing you all the very best

Jan

[DavidT]

I too changed from Tablets to Injections and most of the side effects went I still feel a bit nauseous on occasions and tired the day after but on the whole good. I am on 20mg mtx

[Hobbledehoy]

I'm in a similar position to you, commenced injections a few weeks ago. V easy if done precisely how they will teach you. My side-effects are no different - though I don't want to put the weight back on as it cost me so much to have my clothes altered! My most troublesome side-effect is hair loss; must have a realistic heart-to-heart with my nurse next consultation, but as my hair has always been my weak spot, I am not too hopeful of improvement on any other drug. If anyone knows of a R.A. medication which does not have this side-effect, I would be grateful to hear from them. Best wishes.

[Neonkittie17]

Yes the injections do make such a difference bypassing the stomach to absorb in a more beneficial way. Here's to feeling much better soon!

[nomoreheels]

Yes, all true so hopefully you'll continue responding as well but without the unwanted effects. I've been injecting MTX 8 years, I had to stop tablets because I needed an increase in dose & 20mg in tablets caused my liver to complain. As I was otherwise responding well I swapped to subcut & had a reduction in dose to 17.5mg & all was well, proof that there's greater bioavailability when it goes directly into the bloodstream, less of the dose is lost when It doesn't need to go through the digestive system. I have since tried twice to increase my dose to 20mg but my LFT rose again, the second time I did advise my Rheumy the likely outcome but she wished me to try saying I could reduce it & add another DMARD if it did rise. The inevitable happened so back down to 17.5mg I went & added another DMARD in an effort to keep me controlled. I've tried 2 other DMARDs as double therapy but had to stop them both so remain on MTX & stopped tapering my dose of steroids which seems to be keeping me almost controlled.

I do wish you'd have asked here about your symptoms Angie, we could have saved you months of feeling unwell. Anyway again I hope you take to injections as easily as I did. I inject into my tum, alternate sides each week, though some choose their thigh, your nurse will explain. One tip others have found helpful when I've mentioned it is when I get my month's worth supply of injections I write L or R on the box, is saves me trying to remember which side injected into the previous week, very simple but maybe not something your nurse will tell you. Also before you take the cap off just flick the side of the pen with your finger to make sure all the MTX is at the bottom of the syringe before you press the button otherwise you might not inject the full dose. You probably know but if you're not taking full dose folic acid (every day except MTX day) & you do have side effects do ask if the days you take it can be increased.