Headaches

[bernieq]

I have had Ra for two and a half years. Take methotrexate injections and hydroxychlorine. Have been having really bad headaches for a while. Off to docs later as they are now unbearable. Does anyone else have this problem. Been to optician yesterday and no problems with eye. Would be grateful for feedback.

[Nettac]

I'm afraid so. Often get them really bad after methotrexate. But also have arthritis in my neck and this can cause headaches.

[bernieq in reply to Nettac]

Thanks for your reply. How do you cope with your headaches?

[Nettac in reply to bernieq]

Depends on what I think has caused it. If its the methotrexate soluble paracetamol and loads of water. If it's the neck, hot water bottle on the back of my head helps, plus remembering to do neck exercises!

If I can catch the headache before it gets bad that helps. Also, always drink big glass of water before bed, and have glass by bed. Staying well hydrated helps.

[bernieq in reply to Nettac]

Thanks

[Backy]

I have bad headaches when taking lots of Paracetomal.My GP advised Ibuprofen for headaches, and cut down on Para. Don't know if this is the cause of your Headaches.

[bernieq in reply to Backy]

Thanks. I have been taking paracetamol more often due to headaches. Hopefully doc will help.

[Nettac in reply to Backy]

I'm the same with too much codeine. Sometimes painkillers cause more pain... Weirdly.

[Hidden]

Yes get shooting heads with Mtx but has improved from when i first started 8 months ago, so haven't been on it as long as you, i came off hydroxyc, made me feel sick all week. I take aspirin, ok'd with nurse first, sometimes ibuprofen, can't take paracetomol. Water plus increased folic acid others have said. Just a thought but i do lots of mindfulness/meditation especially progressive muscle relaxation & always surprised at how tensed up I've been at start (yeah bit tree huggy i know😃) Hope you get some answers/relief soon.

[bernieq]

Thanks. Just got back from docs and he has booked me in for acupuncture. Really pleased as I hate taking more medication than I need to. Also booked some yoga and pilates classes a I really want to get fitter. Since this illness started my fitness has gone downhill. I am sure it will help general wellbeing.

[SnooW]

I have had RA for a similar time span to you - it began Aug 2015. I was put on mtx once diagnosed, tablets then injections, but later found I needed hydroxy too. Once I began on the hydroxy I then got headaches every week after the mtx! and also began getting odd migraines again that I had not had for many years. Eventually stopped hydroxy, but strangely, headaches continued and I then came off mtx because of that and the nausea. I would speak to your rheumy - they may want you to stop one or the other or both. I went onto leflunomide, though that sadly did not agree with me so now just started my first and hopefully forever, biosimilar benepali.

[bernieq]

Thanks. I have an appointment with rheumatology nurse in may so will definitely talk about headaches. I'm almost hoping it's not the drugs as they have controlled condition and other drugs may not work as well. Hope you get on with new biological.

[Joy_1]

Hi

I am also taking HCQ + MTX jabs.

I call these my MTX headaches. I solved them thanks to the good advice of the folk on this forum. Water - simple!

Basically on the day I take my MTX I drink 4 pints of water across the day. Next day no headache.

Joy

[bernieq]

Thanks will try more water. Normally take mtx before bed but perhaps I need to take in the morning.

[nomoreheels]

I had really bad headaches on HCQ, not migraine-type as I used to have those regularly hormone-related. With the HCQ it was light sensitivity causing the bad heads. Some do have headaches on MTX, though I never have. Trying drinking plenty of water on MTX day could be worth trying, no bad thing even if you don't have headaches, helps flush out the toxins through the kidneys.

As Nettac says headaches can stem from neck problems, if you have OA in the neck (cervical spondylosis) particularly. I find heat helps, I have a super furry neck warmer with a separate microwaveable heat up 'sleeve' that's very relaxing.

[bernieq]

Thanks. Really grateful for all of the advice.

[andy9131]

When I was on Mtx at the start I got headaches up until 8 weeks in and had a massive one where I lost the plot and ended up in bed for 12 hours not remembering anything at which point my wife told me not to take them again and to go see the specialist nurse explain what was happening and to try another drug which is what they did

[bernieq]

I'm quite worried that it is the mtx which is a shame as apart from blinding headaches for past couple of months my Ra has been very well controlled and consultant says I am in remission.