Methotrexate nausea

[Sewpin]

Hi, I’m new to RA and methotrexate. Started getting nausea with it which is not fun but preferable to RA pain! Last couple of weeks though I’ve been feeling nauseous a few hours before I take the MTx dose - wondering if anyone else has this? Thanks so much

[oldtimer]

Feeing sick BEFORE taking something is usually due to anxiety, so look at reasons for that and see if there are ways of tacking it. Practising relaxation techniques, like slow deep breathing and relaxing your muscles, especially your shoulders and back help too.Or did you mean AFTER taking it? Lots of advice on here about that - if you put it in the search box you should find the previous posts.

[Sewpin in reply to oldtimer]

Thanks for your advice, appreciate that. Yes it’s the new nausea before taking it which seems odd

[Jollygoodglyn in reply to oldtimer]

I too suffered nausea but have worked out that this is caused by the brand. Despite assertions that all mtx tablets are the same, I’ve noticed that the brands that produce larger tablets, (still 2.5mg) but are physically larger). So I insist on the brands that produce small orange tablets in a black package. - I suspect that they are cheaper. The effects were dramatic and almost placebo like. Have a word with your pharmacist.

[Sewpin in reply to Jollygoodglyn]

Ah that’s really interesting. I had the tiny tablets first and was fine. Last two prescriptions been the larger size tablets and nausea starts. Will def ask pharmacist about this, thank you so much

[Jollygoodglyn in reply to Sewpin]

There have been no studies into different brands of Mtx but my take on it is that if there is no difference, then why are they different sizes. It's not the Mtx, it's what goes into the tablet. I have successfully used Teva and got to the stage where at one point I visited about 5 different pharmacies to get the right one. Try it, if it works, I'll know I am not the only one.

[Sewpin in reply to Jollygoodglyn]

I will try this thankyou. I agree there could be something in this.

[KittyJ]

Sounds like it’s psychological if you haven’t even taken it when you feel nauseous. I was like this eventually as I was so sick on mtx that I started dreading taking it and felt sick at the sight of the pen and then at just the thought of taking it. Try some of the things oldtimer has said but talk to your team to let them know what’s going on too. I hope you find a way to overcome this .

[Sewpin]

Thanks, yes I’ll talk to them

[Hidden]

I would start to feel nauseous thinking about having to inject which can only have been the anxiety about feeling sick after injecting. I burst into tears when injecting with my nurse for the same reason which caught him by surprise 🙈. If you can cope with the nausea after the injection then I‘m sure with some strategies for managing the build-up you should be able to control this too. Good luck!

[Sewpin in reply to Hidden]

Thankyou so much!

[Sheila_G]

I agree with oldtimer. Anxiety is a big issue. I have never had nausea with mxt in 19 years so count myself very fortunate as I know many people have had. I have wondered if that isn't at least part of the reason for my feeling so ill after covid vaccines. I have been very anxious about having them. Mindfulness exercises help. Have you heard of a body scan. Google it under mindfulness. It is very helpful in calming people down.

[Hidden]

Maybe try a treat around the same time, it might help. Good luck.

[Hidden]

A problem I had when on MTX - so much I had to stop and try another RA drug.

[GolffanaticBob]

I had the same problem & so I was put on injections which solved the problem for me.

[Thingybob]

Yep, I had / have that. I moved on to the injections and the nausea after is not as bad . . The pre mtx nausea is /was deff anxiety . I felt nauseous even smelling the antiseptic wipes they give you to use with the jabs and if i smelt antiseptic anywhere at anytime i felt nauseous. ( not fun with all the covid anti bac stuff lol ! )Its not sooo bad now, but its like my brain and body is anticipating the nausea. Pavlovs dogs stuff i guess. I'm not sure what the answer is I'm afraid but it helps me to have a treat after my jab ( chocolate or similar) or a nice thing to do straight after to give myself something else to focus on . I'm trying to trick my mind into associating something nice with the jab ......might work ? Best wishes 🙂

[Sewpin in reply to Thingybob]

Thank you, so helpful to hear it’s not just me. Appreciated

[Knip]

Hi, I've had MTX many times before without any problems but having gone back on it for the past six months on it I have felt a bit queasy for a couple of hours in the morning...once the pain and stiffness eases a bit it disappears! I feel it's worth it for me. Hope yours eases soon. I should add that I have always had jabs.