Sickness with methotrexate

[freckle71]

Good morning everyone. I hope you are feeling good this morning?

I need some advise please

Have been on methotrexate for 5 years now subcuts which I do weekly. I have always got on ok with it but for the past few months have slowly begun to feel worse especially the 2 days after. I have increased my folic acid to help and have reduced the strength to 12.5 from 15mg.

I also take a biologic monthly!!

I have a good quality of life which I know is a real result with this disease!!

I am considering stopping the MTX and I guess I'm interested in what your thoughts are as fellow patients??

Obviously this is not something I'm going to do without discussing it with my rheumy first but we are the people living with the disease?

[Backy]

I have used MTX for a number of years, I have found through trial & error that different brands cause me to be lethargic for 2 days after. I have one brand now which my Pharmacy makes sure I have. I also had discussion with Rheumy 15 mg lowest dose I was told. I am also on 6 month Biologics.

[freckle71 in reply to Backy]

I didn't realise there were different brands!! Thank you for that 😊

[AgedCrone]

Do you drink enough? Water I mean!

I found when I was on Mtx if I didn't keep very well hydrated I did get headaches, which lead to nausea.

When do you inject? Try changing the time of day.....not scientifically proven, but I have found it often helps.

Try talking to your rheumy nurses, they listen to so many different drug reactions they may have an answer for you.

It would be a shame to rush into changing a drug that has been successful for 5 years until you have explored every option.

[freckle71]

I do try and drink a litre plus of water a day but I'm not always great at it- I will try to do that.

Thank you for your reply - it holds more weight from people who have first hand experience 😀

[AgedCrone in reply to freckle71]

I'm rubbish at remembering to drink, so I now make up a large jug of squash every morning & leave it on the kitchen table .

It's surprising how easy it is to down 1.5 litres if you just grab a glassful every time you pass by.

[Joy_1]

Hi

The following helps me:

1 - stick to Nordimet - this brand works for me

2 - drink 3 pints of water on MTX day starting from lunchtime

3 - 5mg folic acid (not on MTX day of course)

4 - take MTX just before I go to bed

5 - take it very easy the day after MTX day - lots of pottering about

If I do not stick to the above religiously then I pay for it big time with horrid nausea and extreme tiredness (not fatigue) for 3 days!

You could ask your GP for anti nausea tablets. Folk on the Forum have talked about taking these.

Joy

[marie66]

I'm sticking with it for now using anti nausea pills to help combat things. M x

[freckle71]

Thank you ladies. I'm reluctant to change but the nausea is debilitating. I think nausea tablets and more fluids could be the answer!! 😀

[Amy_Lee]

I did have a lot of side effects too after taking MTX, but then one at a time they subside and left with nausea and vomiting. When I am down to 3 tablets a week since 6 months ago, I do not have any side effect anymore now. Below link have a very good summary of the side effects for your reference.

healthunlocked.com/nras/pos...

Amy