MTX injections side effects & paracetamol

[Peacox]

Hi everyone, I hope you’re all having a nice weekend. Just a quick question, I started MTX injections two weeks ago. The first week was fine enough, I was really spaced & tired the day after (weds), but this week has been pretty nasty. I had the Weds meds hangover again, then was ok until yesterday, when the pain in my head was tremendous. I didn’t sleep & the nausea came & then the sickness. I checked online & decided to take paracetamol. My question is, is it okay to take Paracetamol? I can’t function with such appalling headaches. I’ve taken some more paracetamol this morning as I just don’t know what else to do. Any advice would be amazing. Anyone else had this? Does it last? Thank you x

[sylvi]

Have you been prescribed paracetmol for your ra.If not i see no reason why you can't take it.xxx

[Peacox in reply to sylvi]

Thanks Sylvi, I’ve not been prescribed it. But always have it in x

[Thingybob]

I take paracetamol during mtx hangovers . My rheumy ok'd it. One thing I'd say helps is to drink plenty on the day of your jab and after.

[Peacox in reply to Thingybob]

Thank you. Yes, I need to get used to drinking more water.

[Mmrr]

Paracetamol and MTX are not contraindicated. I found drinking lots....I mean lots and eating small amounts of frequent carbs helped with the MTX hangover.

[Peacox in reply to Mmrr]

Thank you.

[AgedCrone]

The paracetamol probably won’t hurt but if the headaches are that bad I should contact your rheumy nurse tomorrow….don’t just keep taking it.

Mtx can I cause headaches..but if you are losing sleep enough is enough.

If you aren’t taking folic acid six days a week …maybe increasing ghat would help…but ask first…. Like everything with this disease if your doctors don’t know the whole story they can’t provide the right answer!

[Peacox in reply to AgedCrone]

Thank you. They’ve only prescribed folic acid once a week, the day after the MTX. I’ll definitely call tomorrow.

[Hidden in reply to Peacox]

Taking it 6 days (not on Mx day) really does make a difference.

[Hidden]

I take cyclizine, an antiemetic an hour before Mx. I also take my Mx in the evening with a ‘proper’ meal. These all help.

[Peacox in reply to Hidden]

Thank you.

[Gottaloveastaffy]

I take paracetamol daily and co codamol at night x

[Travelodge]

I took paracetamol when I was on methotrexate and I also took co-dydramol.

[Haz58]

I take paracetamol in the day but make sure I on,y take enough to allow me to take co-drydamol at night too if I need it for night pain as that contains paracetamol too.I was on 1 folic acid 5mg on day 2 after MTX jab but it’s now been raised to take it on days 2,3 and 4. It’s my first week doing this so I’ll see if it helps the MTX side affects I get. If not then I’ll ring my nurse for a plan C.

Take MTX after a good meal, I drink at least 2 litres of water the day before my jab and the following day as well. I’ve not been good on MTX at all but I’m willing to give taking more folic acid a go before giving up on it. Fingers crossed. I’ll know after 3 weeks if it’s worked as this is how long it takes my body to really say ‘I don’t like this’. As others have said let your Rheumy nurse how you are feeling don’t just suffer in silence. They are there to help you so use them. All the best. X

[Peacox in reply to Haz58]

Thank you.

[Happy5]

Hello welcome to the club none of us want to be in. Couple of suggestions have you discussed anti sickness meds with your RA team?

You could be entitled to some which you can take about an hour before your MTX.

I use paracetamol also been prescribed Co-codamol for serious pain again talk with RA team

and GP about this.

I find it better for me to take my MTX before I go to bed to try to sleep through worse side

effects. Drinking lots of water helps flush worse effects out of system.

In the end discuss all your concerns with your RA team they can come up with solutions taylored to you.

[Peacox]

Thank you everyone. I just spoke to the Rheumy nurse. She is upping the folic acid to six times a week. Fingers crossed it does the trick. I've tried all the other DMARDS and been really sick with them, so this feels a bit like last chance saloon! Thanks again x

[Moonjean]

Hi there! Sorry to hear of your problems with Methotrexate. Started off with MTX tablets now using injection pen. Nausea was horrendous with tablets and a bit better with pen. Now it’s not nearly as bad. Been on pen for approximately a year.

I have taken paracetamol all the time to ease the pain in my hands. I don’t suffer headaches. My Rheumatologist is fine with this.

Try to drink as much as possible. x

[ATSF]

Hi, I take MTX self injection for the last 8 weeks two weeks to go before a decision is made. This is the fourth time tried, it seems to make things worse with loads of side effects. I also take 500/30 co codeamol for constant 24 hour pain. My wife and a sister in law take oral MTX for years with only occasional minor problems.I have been told on several occasions that taking Paracetamol with MTX should have no problems.

[Peacox in reply to ATSF]

Thank you. I’m sorry you’re having so many problems. I’ve had sickness, headaches, terrible dehydration, lightheaded ness and dizziness. The rheumy nurse was lovely today when I called & has upped my folic acid to 6 x a week (from 1) & if it’s no better in two weeks they’ll consider taking me off — which is very upsetting as I’ve tried all the other DMARDS and the side effects were unbearable! So it feels very last chance saloon. Good luck with yours!

[ATSF in reply to Peacox]

I also had Folic Acid increased to 6 a week like you. My wife rakes 1 per week. Headaches were totally random, now not very often. Sickness went off after about 5 weeks. Lightheadedness and dizziness have reduced considerably in the last 2 weeks. My main problems are severe tiredness and insomnia. Other than being in paid for 25 hours per day. The problem is that I take 23 tablets various a day, so it could,be something else.

[RUSTY750]

Hi.. I am prescribed 3 cyclizine a day to help combat the nausea.. couldn't get by without it... ask your gp...

[Peacox in reply to RUSTY750]

Thank you! I will give it a go.