After a phone appointment last week with my consultant, he has decided to up me from 15 to 20mg of MTX a week. I first started on MTX around 13 weeks ago, the first few days I was quite ill, sickness and dihorea, but that cleared up after a few days. So Monday I started my new dosage and since then I have felt quesy, though not been sick, and have had dihorea a few times, and I have also completely lost my appetite, is that normal after such a small increase??
Side effects of increased dosage: After a phone... - NRAS
Side effects of increased dosage
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I started on on 15 mg MTX (Metoject) and had nausea for which I was prescribed an anti-emetic tablet but did not need them as the nausea passed off. The MTX was eventually increased to 20 mg and the nausea started again but after a while, it passed off again - I still get it occasionally but not so bad and not for long. I did not have diarrhoea but with you (correct me if I'm wrong), it may be that you have the tablets?
The side effect I experienced (fatigue) settled after a few weeks but with each dose increase it came back temporarily. I started on 15mg tablets, went up to 20mg, then onto 20mg injections and recently have gone up to 25mg. The fatigue (only for a day) is back but I'm assuming that it will pass as before.
Hopefully things will settle down soon but if they don't, I suggest that you ring your rheumy nurse as they may suggest that you change over to the injections.
Yup, each time I increased dosage it was like starting again. But the good news is that each time it took a shorter time to wear off....
Yes I am on tablets, I also suffer from fatigue quite a bit, especially the day after taking MTX, the consultant also upped my folic acid, I originally only took it once a week but now take it 6 days. Hoping my appetite returns before Tuesday as it is our wedding anniversary and planning on treating ourselves to a takeaway, plus I have ordered some sweet treats to share with the kids!!
Make sure you drink plenty & take the Folic Acid ....if you are not on 6 per week...do ask your rheumy nurse if can up the dose.
It can take a while to settle on Mtx...but if you persevere it is really worth it.
You poor thing. It sounds like you’re going through the mill. Unfortunately, this can be normal in the early data and you’ve had quite a big jump in dose. Have you tried any anti sickness medications? Your GP can prescribe. You really don’t have to suffer, if feeling unwell, do don’t let it linger. I didn’t cope very well with the tablets and found the injections much better. I don’t get sickness anymore at all.
With any luck the increased dose of folic acid will kick in and help the side effects.
I hope you’re feeling better to enjoy your anniversary. Sounds like you’ve got some nice treats planned.
I got to that dose but then my body rejected methotrexate and then I could no longer take it, but I do have bad reac reactions to some drugs sulphasazailne put me in hospital
I would contact your rheumy team to be on the safe side.xxx
Out of curiosity, people on folic acid 6 time’s a week take 5mg per day? I’m guessing this is just on non MTX days?
Can be. I first started on 15mg tablets & when I went up to 20mg I was getting nausea so instead of increasing my folic acid my Consultant prescribed injections, same dose then after 3 months brought it back down to 15mg. I've been on MTX 11 years & still have less appetite the day after I inject, I just accept it as parts & parcel & graze really as one day isn’t too bad.
I am on weekly injections of 25mg mtx. I get nausea and fatigue for several days following the injection, but I can just about cope with it. I have asked about reducing the dose but am not pushing it as now probably isn't a good time to experiment. I was on just one day of folic acid 3 days after the injection, but after a telephone consultation with a specialist nurse I have been increased to 3 days. It is hard to tell if it has made a difference but husband says I am complaining less about feeling sick. I will phone my GP to ask about my next blood test results. I am worried that my alcohol intake is creeping up and I have been in trouble before about my liver reading. The GP has never contacted me direct but it might be easier now to secure a telephone appointment. It's powerful stuff to quite likely that 5mg increase will have a big impact to start with. Good luck!
I had a lot of nausea and also headaches when I was on 15mg and this increased when my dose was increased to 20mg ( I had anti nausea tablets which helped) I have also had other side effects such as changes to taste and appetite. I was told that if this continued I could switch to having Methotrexate by injection as this can be better tolerated. However, although I still have the changes to taste and appetite the other issues have resolved, admittedly after more than a year. I hope that this is helpful. I hope that you feel better soon.