Side effects of taking methotrexate

I have just read on the methotrexate web site the side effects of taking it I have at least 4 of them!

feeling sick

headaches

vomiting

diarrhoea

shortness of breath

mouth ulcers

minor hair loss and hair thinning

rashes.

[KittyJ]

Some are very common and can diminish the longer you are on it. Obviously some can be more serious so depending on what they are I would speak to your doctors, if only for reassurance. If it helps I had at least four and got checked out (all ok) and am still on it 20 + years later. 🤞🏻for you

[helixhelix in reply to KittyJ]

Yup, I had four too, but they wore off and am still on it 11 years later.

If you’ve been on it a few weeks talk to your team. Especially breathlessness should not be ignored.

[Sar9]

Unfortunately methotrexate can cause some side effects. I’ve been taking it since 2018 & suffered quite badly at the start. Things did settle but I do still get extreme fatigue, nausea, headaches for a few days after (methotrexate hangover). Also my hair is very thin compared to how it used to be.

Everyone’s different, if you can’t tolerate it I’m sure your team will be able to support you, but hopefully things settle for you and you’ll feel the benefits outweigh the negatives X

[Sheila_G]

The only one I had right at the start was hair thinning. I have been on mxt for 19 years plus and it has worked amazingly well for me. I hope it settles down for you and you become as well as I have.

[runningbracken]

Thinning hair and mouth ulcers but they've gone now. Had hair like Leo Sayer when i was younger😀

[Knit12]

Sometimes changing to the injections helps lessen the side effects. You don’t state if you are taking folic acid as that helps. While I was on methotrexate I took anti sickness medication daily which helped also. As with any drug symptoms can dissipate after a few weeks.

I was on it for bout 6 months and while it was good for my RA it brought me out in a rash. If your symptoms are so bad you can’t take it, contact your rheumatology team either by phone or email and see what they suggest.

[Hidden]

I have been injecting for about 5 years. And have only recently starting feeling breathless. I have also been taking folic acid daily excep injection day. I used to only have folic acid once a week but, with approval, I now take it daily. I also have amouthful of ulcers! My appetite is down to zero. Fortunately don’t usually feel sick. Hair falls out every time I brush it

[anglia]

I used to get flu symptoms every so often mouth ulcers been in injecting 20mg methotrexate about 12 years before that tablets took 3months to initialy relieve pan which was horrendous am fairly good now had a heart attack and stent fitted 7 years ago Hope you start feeling some relief soon everyone seems different with this disease xx

[Ritaritis]

Good afternoon Magnolia25, I suffer with tiredness although the nurse said my personal circumstances were partly to blame, and thinning hair with more hair loss when combing. I've gone mad and bought a wig in my hair colour for when I go out. My cat Bella has attacked it, fortunately no damage and a neighbour looked twice when she saw me.🐕🦄