First dose of Methotrexate tomorrow! *fingers crossed*

[Tropic09]

I have been on plaquenil since January this year, but tomorrow I'll add methotrexate.

Can any vets tell me what to expect? The day of and after.

Thanks a bunch!

[Tropic09]

Thank you so much AJay575 . I have been very apprehensive as of late, but this community might help me through.

[popsmith1874]

Hi I've been on Methetrexate injections 20mgs for about 4years and had no problems with it, I drink loads off water with it and take frolic acid six days a week except mtx day I also take Sulfazalasine 500mgs and am waiting to start another biological drug called Humira as the Benepali stopped working,hope it works for you

[Tropic09 in reply to popsmith1874]

Thanks for the well wishes. It seems as though you have it down packed. Let me know how humira works for you

[AgedCrone]

Don't expect anything to be different ......just take the pills & get on with your life.

If you are anxiously waiting for.......what? You will stress, probably for nothing, an awful lot of initial side effects are stress related because people expect either a miracle or the opposite.

Everyone is different...I took it for years & everything was fine...no nasty side effects, just gradually feeling better.

So just try not to overthink things....take the FA & plenty of water & you will hopefully be one of the thousands who do very well on MTX,

[Tropic09 in reply to AgedCrone]

Thank you . Ill try not to be a worry wort.

[helixhelix]

I remember staring anxiously at the little yellow pills for ages before summing up courage to take them....and then nothing. All my stress was for absolutely nothing... I felt a bit woozy the day after and a bit more tired but that's it. And these days I organise so I can have a bit of a lie in the morning after, but otherwise no problems at all. As others have said, drink lots of water and hopefully all will fine.

[Tropic09 in reply to helixhelix]

Thank you. I will loosen up... just human nature. Fear of unknown.

[MorgseyMorgs]

Hey

I remember being so nervous to start MTX, especially doing your own injections (which I would recommend more than pills as pills may cause more nausea)

But was on it for 5 years (taking a short break from it) and it made the world of difference, had barely any flare ups on it, real game changer!

You may experience fatigue, nausea and light headiness (really helped me understand the symptoms further by looking at the medication manual that comes with the injections)

I hope it works for you and don't be nervous it's not as bad as it seems at the time ❤️

[Tropic09 in reply to MorgseyMorgs]

Hey Morgs! Thanks for that. Unfortunately, im on the pills to start but after the reassurance. Im sure ill be ok.

[MorgseyMorgs in reply to Tropic09]

They normally start you off on pills to build you up to go into injections, but medication effects people differently I'm sure you'll be fine too and if not there's many other options

[sacsboy]

Key for me was was weekly self injection (25mg), and (as recommended in Canada/USA) daily 5mg of folic acid, even on the day of the injection!. No adverse symptoms. Also, I try and inject late afternoon so as to hopefully sleep through the annoying MTX blahs. Do not be put off by self injection - it is very easy to learn how to do - unless you are particularly squeamish or 'needle shy'.

Inject avoids stomach problems and, most importantly, provides improved uptake and thus a reproducible weekly dose.

[Tropic09 in reply to sacsboy]

I was told to give the pills and shot for a month before I could inject myself. Hopefully the pills go well so I won't have to do any switching. My biggest concern is the GI upset.

[Kathyem]

Everyone has different reactions, my first time I had a bit of a headache throughout the day and just a little out if sorts feeling. Now I don't really have any side effects...but make sure to drink a lot of water, the day day of and the next day! Good luck

[Tropic09]

Thank you. I definitely see what you are saying about being out of sorts... I'm there.

[Millysmum in reply to Tropic09]

Keep positive, try not to think about it, lots of water, and give yourself something to do, I keep busy, took mine last night, and I'm up and ready to go shopping, full day ahead, and then tonight I will sleep like a log! Then that's it for another week... Hope you symptoms soon pass x

[jomojo]

Hello T.

I felt exactly the same as you Tropic09. Put it off for several nervous reasons plus a sinus infection.

I took my 4th weeks dose last night. Apart from a slight headache, extra tiredness one or two sickly off balance moments I've been fine. No improvements in pains yet but its early days.

I actually had a bad reaction to the hydroxycloriquin instead.

Good luck, take care.