Folic acid and headaches

[Birman4]

Has anyone noticed weather taking Folic acid causes headaches?

[helixhelix]

I’m the opposite. If I don’t take it I get a headache!

[PinkLamb]

Hi

No, I don't get headaches, like helixhelix it has the opposite effect for me, folic acid is taken as a supplement for the unwanted side effects of methotrexate!!

Do you take methotrexate??

[KittyJ]

Can’t say I have, I take it 6 days a week

[Birman4]

Hi yes I am on Methotrexate and I take 2 the day before and 2 the day after, and then 1 every day. Keep running out as GP keeps refusing to prescribe it (as my blood levels are not deficient). When I start taking it again I end up with a headache for 4 days. I have to get my consultant to contact the GP, this is the third time. The GP has now given me 8 tablets until the end of September, which is when I have an appointment. I feel like screaming!!!

[Hidden in reply to Birman4]

That seems a lot of folic acid I take 1 a day every day but not on methotrexate day. If your not deficient why so much ? I would question this.

[Birman4]

I was still being sick on 1 so my consultant upped it to 2 before and 2 after and I have stop being sick. Thank goodness

[PinkLamb]

I also take 1 everyday apart from methotrexate day!!

I would definitely get this checked out!!

X

[Wizard12]

I take it due to the sickness I get taking methotrexate. Nothing to do with deficiency. Never had headaches with it though. Speak to your consultant and they should write to your gp about how many to have.

[Appletree12345]

I only take once a week and think it might cause headache as often get following day. But I am a headache person, used to get bad migraine monthly, so I thought it might just be my weakness.

[nomoreheels]

Even though your Rheumy prescribed 2 before & 2 after MTX plus 1 every day (I take it that equates to 45mg per week) that could be the reason you're having headaches. Taking too much, whilst not detrimental as we pee it out, can cause side effects, headaches, upset tum & diarrhoea being 3 which are common side effects of MTX, so you may be replacing MTX side effects for those from excessive folic acid.

I'm prescribed 30mg folic acid, 5mg every day except MTX day & just had to have a reduction in MTX. I'm staying on 30mg folic acid/week but introducing an alternative antiemetic to the one I'm taking currently, apparently one that works slightly differently so considered to be more effective. Is this possibly something you could ask your Rheumy about, a reduction in folic acid (30mg?) with the addition of an antiemetic to take when you feel nauseous?

Worth asking?

[Hidden in reply to nomoreheels]

Hi. I've just read your post about having your anti emetic changed. I have Prochlorperazine prior to injecting mtx but over time have found that I can feel nauseous after taking it and before I've even injected. I started using a buccal tablet but found it didn't dissolve at all or took hours due to my dry mouth so switched to a tablet. I'd be interested to know what you've been prescribed as I'm on the points of discussing a change with my gp. Sorry it deviates from the thread on folic acid which I take 5mg every day except on the day of mtx! I haven't been on here for a while so am not up to date but hope you're doing OK. Linda x

[nomoreheels in reply to Hidden]

Hiya Linda. It's prochlorperazine that my GP prescribed. Rather than normal recommendations though she told me to take it as & when I felt nauseous, not as a preventative & at regular doses. The locum Rheumy I saw last week said there was a better one, or rather one that would work better as an acute med but to be honest he was quite difficult to understand (Arabic possibly?). I'd had enough having waited 90 mins & it was late on in the hour long appointment to think to have him write it down. I think it began with an M but he's writing to my GP to ask her to reduce my MTX dosage & prescribe the antiemetic (I also take 5mg folic acid every day except MTX day) so once I know I'll let you know. Could be around 3 weeks before I receive my copy of his report though, hope that's ok?

I'm not too bad thanks, could be better but I think we can all relate to that! Hope the reason you've not been around is due to doing ok? x

[Hidden in reply to nomoreheels]

Thanks so much for your reply. I'll wait to hear the name of the new drug that will hopefully work for you and maybe me in time. I was told to take Prochlorperazine 1 hour before injecting and afterwards as needed (every 6 hrs) although I tend to only take one dose and battle on. Having had over 7 years of side effects with mtx I'm reaching my limits. Not been on here as I've not been too good and have also added gout into the ever increasing number of conditions but I'm not as bad as some and have lots to be thankful for. Hope you get sorted soon. Linda

[Gigi71]

I take 1 a day except mtx day, I am deficient in folic acid anyway and was taking it before mtx, but 1 everyday then. Never caused any headaches though. Really you need to speak to your rheumy, as to what is best for you and then make sure your GP follows through their instructions. All the best. X