Methotrexate injections

[Arlescote]

Can anyone confirm if they felt any benefit on swapping from oral methotrexate to injections. I am currently taking 20mgs a week, I have reduced steroids down from 15 to 2 1/2mgs but started to flare up, it has been recommended that I have 20mgs methotrexate by injection as this can be more effective! What’s have others experienced?

[Hidden]

Yes I found the injections much more effective. They bypass the digestive system where it can stop the full absorption of the medication plus you are less bloated or nauseous. Often find you can be on a lower dose because absorption is so much better. The injections are so easy and pain free .. my advice would be to go for it you have nothing to lose.

[Arlescote in reply to Hidden]

Thanks so much - it dies seem the way forward for me -

[Hidden in reply to Arlescote]

Good luck 🤞🏻

[Boxerlady]

Yes, injections definitely feel "stronger".

[CagneysMum]

I switched from methotrexate pills to pre-filled pens 18 months ago and it definitely made an improvement on my RA. My consultant said because the pills are swallowed and transit through your gut that some of it gets excreted along with other waste. As a result they can’t be exact in how much of the methotrexate actually gets absorbed by the body. With an injection it bypasses the gut so prescribing is more accurate and we benefit from this. So when I changed to pens my dosage was decreased slightly because my body was absorbing the whole of it. Hope this makes sense? Good luck 👍

[Arlescote in reply to CagneysMum]

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply

[CagneysMum in reply to Arlescote]

You are most welcome. This group has been a great support to me when I’ve needed it, so I am more than happy to help others where I can . I agree with no more heels that injecting into my tummy is easier/less uncomfortable than injecting into my thigh. 👍

[nomoreheels]

Most do, I did. Often though it's possible to drop the dose too, where I find it most help. When I first went on to injections (prefilled syringe) it was at the same dose as I was on with tablets (20mg) but it had to be reduced as my liver objected, proof to me if it as needed that there's greater bioavailability from injections. It was reduced to 15mg & all was fine again. I currently inject 17.5mg but have never in 11 years managed lower than 15mg. I find injecting into my tum best but no doubt you'll settle on whatever’s best, or whatever’s recommended to you by your nurse.

Hopefully you'll find them beneficial. This might help you prior to your nurse demonstrating how to use the pens m.youtube.com/watch?v=BugrJ...(Not working as expected?)

[allanah]

Yes it was more effective for me by injection and i stopped feeling so sick

[helixhelix]

Yes, me too.

[hatshepsut]

Me too, hope you find the same.

[Hidden]

Not for me - not long come off 25mg injections after 16 months total on mtx with no benefit at all. I had a second med added in at 20mg oral, around 4 months post diagnosis, and that was actually what enabled me to get off steroids in the end. But, that’s the ‘joy’ of RD, where everyone is different and what works for one doesn’t necessarily work for another. It was still worth a go switching from oral, and the injecting itself is easy.

[Carolsos]

I went from tablets to injection and what a difference! I stopped feeling sick and just 1 inject and not 8 tablets. I was nearly in remission. I had them for about 2 years, then suddenly over about 6 months I got a major phobia about injecting. I could not even look at them, I felt quite sick and would be sick. I had to ring my consultant to say I had to go back on tablets, he was not happy. But I just could not inject anymore. I am back on the tablets these last 3 years and I am ok now. Good luck getting down on your steroids. Maybe you need to increase them to a safe level and try again. Take care X

[Hidden]

Morning! I took MTX for 12 years and didn’t know I had RD! Then, whilst on holiday I collapsed with joint pain, weird symptoms and I felt very unwell. The foreign doctor who attended was excellent and said I was suffering MTX poisoning. He prescribed Prednisolone and helped me get home early. I was off MTX for 12 months before resuming. Within a few months I started collapsing regularly and was suffered many emergency admissions to my local hospital. Eventually my endocrine system was found to be weakened and MTX was the culprit. I remember with fondness my 12 years of freedom on MTX and tell myself that nothing stays the same. Enjoy the benefits of a drug that works for you (whichever one it is at the time) and keep an open mind to changes if you can. This disease can make you feel you have been robbed of your life some days. I so hope your meds work and you can be seen soon. Good advice re: private consultations and keep contributing to this site. We will understand where you are and try to help.

[Chris_O]

Yes I went from tablets to injections and I had no more stomach problems. The one thing that does annoy me is that I don’t have much fat on my legs, so I have to be very careful where I inject, I don’t like injecting into the stomach area.

[Flor1rence]

Morning Arlescote, injections 100% better than oral meds. Not so easy atm as I only have one working arm but only temporary after my operation last Thursday on my elbow. Good luck🍀

[Happy5]

Yes better cos efficacy is better, also feel less nauseated.