Folic acid

[Splinters50]

Can anyone let me know if folic acid increases as your methotrexate increases please, is anyone taking any anti sickness medication as am on stemetil is there anything better.

[helixhelix]

My first rheumatologist had a rule of thumb of starting people with 5mg folic acid, then if need be increasing to the same amount of folic acid as MTX, and if that still doesn’t help going up to 30mg a week.

I’ve never needed anti-nausea treatment so can’t help on that.

[Splinters50 in reply to helixhelix]

Thank you to everyone for your replies, much appreciated

[Boxerlady]

I also started on one dose of 5mg of Folic Acid a week which was increased to 6 days a week as I had a few Methotrexate side effects but not increased as the dose of Methotrexate was increased.

[Vickyprosser]

5mg of folic acid everyday except on day of Methoject as I had a few side effects mouth ulcers hair loss etc.

I have nausea but not actually sick do not on anti-sickness tabs so can't help with that sorry x

[vonniesims in reply to Vickyprosser]

This is me too

[springcross]

Hi Splinter. I take 5 mg FA six days a week missing the MTX day. I was given Ondansetron antiemetic but didn't take any of them. Good luck. xx

[Wizard12]

The increase in folic acid reduced the nausea for me. In 6 x 5mg a week. Speak to your rheumy straight away. Don't suffer with the nausea. It's horrible

[Thingybob]

As others I take 6 x 5mg folic acid to offset side effects. I still get nausea, fatigue and hangover the day after but not as bad. I was prescribed an anti sickness drug called Ondansetron. Its taken 2 hours before taking mtx. It was great at stopping the nausea ...but gave me a mega headache on waking so I discontinued . Maybe it will work for you, it might be worth a try ? 🤞🤞

[Nurseratchette]

Hi mine didn’t I started on the 5mg but as the methotrexate made me so nauseous I went straight to 5mg every day except methotrexate day

[Widget]

I stated on 5mg once a week but as the sickness increased I take 5mg every day except for my methotrexate day

[Nain68cariad]

Hi Splinters50,.

I used to get mouth ulcers every week after mtx. 5mg folic acid was given 6days a week. Now no mouth ulcers. Now I take about 3 by 5mg per week. Some prescribe just one per week. Depends how bad youf flare ups are and your diet.

[Queensferry]

Hi there, like most here i take 5mg Folic acid everyday except Methotrexate day. Since moving to injections the nausea has gone. Although I felt sick when on tablets I never took any anti sickness meds. Hope you get it resolved soon.

[Knitmare]

My methotrexate increased but my folic acid remains the same.

[swoodge]

Hi you can increase the folic acid at any time if your nausea is bad but ask your nurse first, take it every day that you dont take your mtx. if you are still feeling sick then you can take stemitil or something like it to help but nurse will help you with that. Hope you feel better soon, I found it settles down really quickly.

[BonnieG123]

Hi, Splinters! When I was on MTX, I was never told to increase folic acid. I was also on biotin to help stop hair loss. When I stopped MTX, rheumy said I could continue the folic acid and biotin which I did. But the folic acid didn’t agree with me so I stopped. But I still take the biotin. (Recently added a biotin shampoo to my daily routine and I see a bit of difference in my hair and a big difference in my nails.) Best wishes to you.

[nomoreheels]

It seems to depend on your Rheumy's preference, & need of course. My first Consultant prescribed 5mg folic acid the day after MTX (initial dose 15mg). That was increased to the day before too when I had some hair loss. My previous Rheumy preferred to prescribe 5mg each day except MTX day, this was on 15mg, 17.5mg & 20mg.

As far as antiemetics are concerned I've also been prescribed Stemetil (prochlorperazine), though relatively recently a Registrar changed that to metoclopramide as he considered it to be better, I disagree. I find prochlorperazine more efficient for me. I guess what you should do is ask your GP if you can try another if it's not doing the job, there are quite a few in this class so you do have options.