Methotrexate and very frequent stools

[Gladjake]

Hi has anyone else got the following problem

I have been on methotrexate injections for7 years now along with hydroxy at first I had no problems at all on it but lately I feel so groggy ,tummy ache and so many trips to the loo,usually lasts day or two .im only on 5mg folic acid a week 48 hours after methotrexate can’t understand why it’s suddenly started to happen also my brilliant rheumy has just retired 😩anyone else had this after so long

Thanks

[KittyJ]

Could be completely unrelated to the mtx as injections bypass the stomach. I’d keep a diary of symptoms and what you eat and drink to try and see if there is a pattern and then speak to your GP.

[Gladjake in reply to KittyJ]

Thanks for your reply kitty J I will do that,

[Flipper12345yellow]

I'm exactly the same for 2 days after my methotrexate jab

[Gladjake in reply to Flipper12345yellow]

Hi flipper thanks for your comments ,sorry you feel the same although reassuring (Sounds a bit selfish doesn’t mean to be) to know someone else is the same.kittyJ suggested seeing GP in case it is not related which may be a good idea just to be on safe side

[barbieg]

I was the same as you. Tried upping my folic acid, that made it worse with added flatulence! I had been on Methotrexate for 2 yrs with no problems. My consultant took me off it and wouldn’t even consider methotrexate injections. I did a bowel screening test just to reassure myself. I ended up on a Gluten-free diet and lactose free and felt much better. I’m still off all medication and awaiting the next thing to try. Hoping to be able to go back to ordinary food soon.

[Gladjake in reply to barbieg]

I was considering upping my folic acid but not sure having to see new rheumy now as mine retired so perhaps a fresh look at it will be good

[Thingybob]

I experience exactly the same thing on the mtx jabs . My rheumy said i can change meds but there's no guarantee that a new med will work as well for my RA. So Hobsons choice . I take 5mg of folic per day except jab day and it deffinately helps . All the best x

[Gladjake in reply to Thingybob]

Thanks I’m reluctant to change meds as Ra seems under control touch wood

[Sheila_G]

I haven't heard of that with mxt before. Sorry.

[Gladjake in reply to Sheila_G]

Thanks for your reply sheila

[Chris_O]

HiI had exactly the opposite reaction, when on MTX tablets I had frequent trips to the loo, changed to injections, and problems almost solved.

One thing in my diet that didn’t help was before I started with RA, I used to have a high fibre breakfast to help with my normal digestive routine. As soon as I stopped the high fibre diet, it was a great improvement. These days if I feel that I could be starting with too frequent loo trips, I switch over to a very stodgy food diet, which seems to work.

Hope you manage to solve your problem.

Chris_0

[Sarmita50 in reply to Chris_O]

What do you have for breakfast. May be you are right. I seem to high fibre breakfast with oat and flax seed.Ate prunes for my good bowel movement. They seem to think l have IBS C and advised me to do so. Probiotic yoghurt are they good?

[Chris_O in reply to Sarmita50]

Hi

I used to eat muesli or bran flakes for breakfast regularly. Now I typically eat toast with honey / toast with boiled egg / bacon and egg etc. I don’t know what changed with my digestive system but I accredit to the drugs I take regularly for RA. If I take food with too much fibre in a day, it definitely makes me go to the loo too much. You need to experiment with your diet and see what suits your digestive system.

Chris_0

[Gladjake in reply to Chris_O]

I ear quite a lot of fibre will try cutting down see if that helps thanks chris

[Mmrr]

Oh yes....

I was visiting the loo 4/5 times a day for several days a week after injecting, sometimes more. I could not leave the house for days at a time.

Rheumatology kept saying it would settle, it didn't and I had an 'accident' outside, which made me see sense and, after 11 months of torment I decided to stop taking MTX, contacted rheumatology and said no more, its over.

I'm now on JAK inhibitors, no problems.

It took years for my gut to recover, I can still have problems if I am not careful with my diet.

[barbieg in reply to Mmrr]

I think you answered my questions when I previously wrote about my bowel problems. I think I’m going to be stuck on gluten-free for a while . My GP surgery wrote to my consultant requesting she sees me as soon as possible and much to my surprise I have a F2F at the end of the month with another Rheumatologist. I had tried Amitriptyline for my bowel problems which worked really well but had the same side effect as before. It affects my speech so I had to stop it. Did you ever try Amitriptyline?

[Mmrr in reply to barbieg]

I was prescribed Amitriptyline to help me sleep way back at the beginning of my RA starting, but it didn't agree with me. I've never taken it since.

[janmary]

I notice this to a certain extent but its not too troubling now - though I had to go to a lower dose. Increasing folic acid to 5 times weekly helped. But as you’re just starting to notice the problem perhaps a GP check would be good?

[Poshcards]

I am on 25mgs and take folic acid 6 nights a week, for a couple of days after I inject, I get severe bowel probs too and nausea x

[Knip]

Hi gladjake, it is possible that you are suffering from a form of colitis as well as RA. I have RA and Chron's disease. They are both autoimmune conditions. Just a thought. Have you checked to see if you are consuming any foods which might trigger the loose motions? Keeping a food diary is the best way. Hope you get sorted out soon, Knip.