I missed my methotrexate last week and not feeling well.

[rosie1928]

I missed my methotrexate dose last week ...I forgot....and have been wondering why I am so sore and unwell. I am surprised that missing one dose could affect my health so quickly. I suppose it could be other factors contributing to my bad week. Has anyone else had this happen?

Rosie

[sylvi]

It shouldn't have made that much difference darling,but it could also be the weather as well.xxx

[rosie1928 in reply to sylvi]

Thanks Sylvie. Yes the barometer has dropped this week. How are you now. I know you had a rough time last week. Hope you are feeling better.

Rosie xx

[sylvi in reply to rosie1928]

I wish i could say i was,but this is not going to be fixed with resting for a day. I have the antibiotics and they should soon kick in and hopefully i will soon be able to say i feel brighter.xxx

[rosie1928 in reply to sylvi]

Hope it happens quickly Sylvi. Xx

[helixhelix]

I wouldn't have thought a week would make that much difference. For the first 6 years I was completely disciplined about taking my MTX, exactly the same time etc each week and I never missed a week.

Then I rebelled....and missed a week for a holiday. Which made no difference at all! And then I missed a week so could go to a party and have an extra drink (just one). Which made no difference at all either...

so perhaps you are coming down with something else?

[enthusiatjc in reply to helixhelix]

I have done the same. I thought I was probably the only one rebelling. Though I rebelled for 3 years and regretted it so much later :/ I'm back on it now and disciplined. Learnt my lesson!

[Matilda_1922 in reply to enthusiatjc]

What happened

[enthusiatjc in reply to Matilda_1922]

Hi Matilda, please see my reply to Spring2017 below

[Spring2017 in reply to enthusiatjc]

Hiya,

What do you mean you learnt you lesson?

Did your joints get much worse?

I have been wondering what would happen if I stopped the MTX.

But too scared to do so as I still get pain when the weather is about to rain.

And lately my shoulder joint is painful.

Sooo trying to hope that it isn’t related... as I feel like the MTX isn’t working and was wondering if I could stop. I’m scared the medication is why I’m losing so much hair.

Any of you have had this side effect?

Or is this something else???

[enthusiatjc in reply to Spring2017]

Yes, methotrexate causes hair loss. I was so tired of all the side effects and the feeling of nausea etc. I didn't think it would make a difference if I stopped it, and my rheumatologist was not very good either, so he didn't stop me or warn me of any of the effects of stopping the meds. 3 years of no methotrexate has led to starting of deformities in my fingers. I have what's called swan-neck deformity starting in some fingers, and boutonniere deformity in other fingers. I am back on methotrexate now and have to wear finger splints to stop the deformity from increasing. The progression of the deformity seems to be under control now, but it is a hassle to wear these splints.

The pain increased too, with stopping methotrexate, but it wasn't intolerable, so I just managed it. It was the deformities that I was not expecting This can't be reversed either. It can only be stopped from getting worse.

[Spring2017 in reply to enthusiatjc]

Oh my! I thought the deformations wouldn’t come that quickly.

😦

I’m so sorry to hear this.

I hope that you are feeling less pain now.

X

[enthusiatjc in reply to Spring2017]

Thanks It might not have come this quickly had I stayed on my medications. Oh well, I know better now.

[helixhelix in reply to Spring2017]

I had a period where I was a bit ill, so although I still took the MTX I didn't take my hydroxy or Sulpha. In just a couple of weeks I had inflammation that caused permanent erosion in one of my toe joints. Luckily I had a rheumy appointment, and she injected my toe joints with steroid which calmed it down and stopped the damage progressing further. I learnt my lesson too....

But a week off has never caused me problems.

[enthusiatjc in reply to helixhelix]

Have you had any side effects on your toe joint from the steroid injection? I'm curious because I have had steroid injections in my wrist a few times, and now I have lost some flexibility on the joint. It has become very stiff. I have been wondering if it is because of the steroids being injected directly into the joint because none of my other joints have this stiffness.

[helixhelix in reply to enthusiatjc]

No, it has been wonderful. It was about 18 months ago now, and the toes have been painfree and perfectly wiggly ever since.

[enthusiatjc in reply to helixhelix]

That's good to know!

[Hidden in reply to enthusiatjc]

Not great to hear, but the RA may just be progressing.

[enthusiatjc in reply to Hidden]

Yup that might be it :/

[medway-lady in reply to enthusiatjc]

I had just hair loss and the MTX was stopped and I was prescibed Arava (Lethfludamide) which very soon put my RA into remission. I have no deformity or swelling becuase for me this med works very well. Fatigue has gone and life is normal without any side effects. Their are other medications have you asked about an alterative to the MTX? I'd stress my hair loss was extreme and consultant said hypersensative to it maybe its the same for you?

[rosie1928 in reply to helixhelix]

Thanks helix, yes might be the change in the weather

[enthusiatjc]

Sorry to hear you are not feeling well, Rosie. It must be other contributing factors. I usually skip mine if I am travelling on the day after the methotrexate day, or if I am going to be drinking alcohol that night, and it doesn't make a difference. Hope you feel better! xo

[rosie1928 in reply to enthusiatjc]

Thanks enthuiastcj!

[rosie1928 in reply to enthusiatjc]

Hi enthusiatjc

Woke up with gout this morning. ..hence the feeling of unwellness!

[enthusiatjc in reply to rosie1928]

Hope you feel better! xo

[Ruth12345]

I didnt take it for 1 week 2 and a half weeks ago and had no effects as yet. As said maybe its some other reason you feeling 'off'.

[Bookworm55]

As I’ve written before, I also skip the occasional mtx if I have a special event on the day and stopped my hydroxychloroquine as well for 2 weeks when abroad. No ill effects that I can identify. My cousin though who, like everyone, had to come off mtx when getting and being pregnant has had a great deal of pain and joint erosion since. However we are talking about well over a year off the mtx.

[rosie1928 in reply to Bookworm55]

I woke up with gout this morning. Thats why I was feeling unwell. I even get a fever with gout. Thanks

Rosie

[Uga35570]

Leaving out mtx. I think it might depend on how long you have been on mxt. I have had metoject for 5 years my rheumy has said that leaving it off for a week shouldn't course any problems. Maybe you haven't had enough medication in your system. Sorry for you hope it can be resolved for you.

[rosie1928 in reply to Uga35570]

Yes you are right. I woke up this morning with gout!

[kaypiercy]

Hi

All the different meds we take have various wash out times. I think mtx takes 2 months to completely wash out so will likely still be fully active for several weeks after stoping. My rheumatologist informed me that Lefludimide takes over a year to completely wash out of the body.

best wishes to all and happy new year

Kay

[rosie1928 in reply to kaypiercy]

Thanks Kaye. Happy New Year to you too!

[enthusiatjc]

Absolutely, what is your question?

[Magymay]

I've done this before .I usually take it on a Monday but just clean forgot and was told to take it next day .don't think it makes a difference.If I forgot for three days or so I would just wait till next week and persevere with pain relief .I've usually got to take pain relief in mornings and if costochondritis flares up.Just hope you don't develop this though it's commons it's so painful.Hope your back on track Rosie 😊