Feeling Nauseous on MTX

[CagneysMum]

I’ve been taking methotrexate for 2 years (injecting 20mg for 8 months) alongside 1 hydroxychloroquin tablet a day. Started to feel very nauseous most of the time (started 2 months ago). My consultant said to try injecting only every other week and that worked for a few weeks but now back to feeling nauseous (although not all of the time).

Have you tried anything that helps reduce nausea? I already drink ginger tea 4/5 times a day.

[KittyJ]

There was a post about nausea and mtx a couple of days ago that had lots of suggestion that might be helpful to you.

healthunlocked.com/nras/pos...

[Lyndy]

I get bad nausea on mtx... I have been advised to use anti nausea meds. They didn’t work for me but might be worth a go to see if you react differently? xx

[Dobcross1]

It's really weird how methotrexate seems to work for a while and then starts causing problems further down the line - and the problems seem so varied. Hope someone on here is able to help you. It might be that you have to change drug. Good luck.

[Dawn7]

You don't say if you take folic acid as well? it usually goes hand in hand with MTX, we all take different doses, (but most often 5mg once a day but never on MTX day, if you aren't taking that, worth speaking to doc about trying it.

[CagneysMum in reply to Dawn7]

Thanks for the advice. I only take one a week but could increase up to six I guess?Will check with Rheumy nurse.

[nomoreheels]

Definitely ask re increasing folic acid further. My Rheumy prefers 5mg every day except the day I inject. After 10 years on MTX (9 injecting) I’ve been having increased nausea so had my 20mg dose reduced to 17.5mg again & also my antiemetic has been changed. Early days but it does seem to be easing off, still have it the following day but not as disruptive. Trouble is I’ve tried the other normal DMARDs & MTX has been the only one I can tolerate, or rather the only one my body tolerates, I've had things I can't control from HCQ, SSZ & LEF. Now informed I wouldn’t qualify for biologics by a Registrar after another said I may. Left hand, right hand stuff. 🤷‍♀️

[CagneysMum]

Thanks, that’s reassuring to hear.

[Ribbon36]

Methotrexate-I had to stop taking it. I was at the three month point but had gerds, nausea etc. so bad that it caused terrible breathing issues. It became so bad I was scared to eat. I also have chronic COPD. Two pills of Omeprazole per day did not even change how bad the digestive distress became.

[CagneysMum in reply to Ribbon36]

Oh no that sounds awful, hope you get a long term solution.