Methotrexate by injection?

[Vivienham]

I've been on methotrexate for more than 3 years and have tolerated it very well, apart from mouth ulcers. Lately I seem always to have several at one time, if not permanently. They are painful, or sore at best, and stop me eating salty and sweet food (probably a good idea you say!). It looks like I'm going to be changed to "subcut methotrexate".

I'm sure many people will have experience of this and can they recommended changing?

Many thanks.

[AgedCrone]

How much Folic Acid are you taking ….that often helps mouth ulcers?

[Vivienham in reply to AgedCrone]

I take 5mg daily apart from methotrexate day, when I take none, and the day after methotrexate day when I take 10mg. I honestly can't say if it's made a difference. Thank you for your reassurance about the injections and I'm pleased your ulcers have mostly gone.

[Vivienham in reply to AgedCrone]

My reply to Downtime was meant for you but I think it applies to your post as well. Thank you.

[Downtime]

Yes , the injections are much better . I take 5 mg folic acid every day apart from Mxt day and my ulcers have mostly gone .

[Wannabeabago]

Methotrexate by injection - Trexject is great! I’ve had zero issues with it in terms of mouth ulcers. My hair thins a little, sure but that doesn’t bother me and I get a teensy bit of bloating. I take 10mg of folic acid a week split over each day other the. the MTX day.

The needle is fine. I’m skinny as and inject what upper thigh. The trick is to pinch up and squeeze you thigh so hard you don’t even feel the needle!

[Vivienham in reply to Wannabeabago]

I've just replied to you Wannabeago but it seems to have disappeared! Thank you for your reply and I'll remember your tip about pinching and squeezing my thigh,

[Hollyhock123]

I switched from tablets to injections 4 months ago. Injections are easy to administer. Mouth ulcers weren’t a side effect for me so can’t comment on that. Hope it works for you.

[Vivienham in reply to Hollyhock123]

Thanks Hollyhock123. It's good to know the injections are easy to administer.

[JG52]

I have just changed to injections , have been on tablets for years but nausea and side effects had got so bad, I feel so much better no sickness or brain fog at the mo like a miracle! They added hydroxy and that is fine as well I feel so much better! Go for it !!

[Vivienham in reply to JG52]

Thank you JG52. You must be very relieved that the sickness and brain fog have gone. I don't in fact get the sickness or nausea but maybe my brain will work better!

[JG52 in reply to Vivienham]

xx

[RAGuy]

That sounds like a very sensible change. The bonus will be that you will benefit from more of the methotrexate with missing out the digestive system. The pens are very easy to use. Good luck and good health

[Vivienham in reply to RAGuy]

My original reply has disappeared! It was just to thank you for your reassurance and about the pens being very easy to use. Good health to you as well.

[CaroleB54]

Hi, I have been on methotrexate injections now for 4 months and they are far better than the tablet form. My rheumatology nurse told me that whilst taking the tablets you don't get the full amount of the drug, whereas the injection form you actually get the full amount. I have found that my arthritis is a lot better on the injection rather than the tablets.

I don't find them painful either and only takes around 5 seconds to inject them.

Good luck with your injections and feel free to message me if you have any questions.

Carole

[Vivienham in reply to CaroleB54]

Thank you Carole and very reassuring to hear that the injections are far better than in tablet form. It's interesting that you get more of the drug with injections and that they're not painful. Thank you too for your offer to message you if I've got questions.

[oldtimer2]

I'm afraid that changing to injections did not help my large mouth ulcers (or the other side effects that I had). My dentist said firmly to me that I must ask to change to something else. I did(azathioprine as I had failed on all other DMARDs). Successful as far as most side effects went but not effective enough. Since then I've been able to add adalumimab which has been marvellous.

[Vivienham in reply to oldtimer2]

I am sorry oldtimer2 that changing to injections didn't help your large mouth ulcers (they're horrible aren't they) and that changing to azathioprine wasn't effective enough. But great news that adalumimab has been so successful. Thank you for your reply.

[Moomin8]

Hi, I would recommend injections over tablets any day. I have Metoject and alternate between left and right thigh. I also injection Tocilizumab, which I alternate in my tummy. I have to leave 2/3 days between the 2 injections, so I inject mtx on Wednesday, and Tocilizumab Saturday - it suits me fine. I also have other bits and pieces alongside, as most of us do. I take a Folic Acid tablet (5mg) Friday through to Tuesday to counteract any ulcers etc, which I very seldom get. Wishing you a happy mtx path. 🙂

[Vivienham in reply to Moomin8]

Thank you Moomin8 for your recommendations. I'll remember to alternate thighs. At the moment it'll only be methotrexate I'm having. Best wishes to you too.

[Evie3]

We all react differently. I was on the tabs for 20 years but towards the end complained about tummy probs so changed me to the injection. Didnt really make much difference to me, but it might with your mouth ulcers. BTW, I use Cortisol mouthwash if I get a sore mouth and that really helps.

[Vivienham in reply to Evie3]

You were on the tablets for a long time! I think from what others have said that the injections will make a difference to my mouth ulcers. Thank you for your recommendation to use Cortisol which I haven't used before so I'll certainly try it.

[junik53]

I was really scared to change to injection,but it’s been good I inject into stomach and never feel a thing.I don’t get as many ulcers so all good . You don’t loose anything by trying it. Good luck

[Vivienham in reply to junik53]

Thank you junik53 and encouraging that you don't get as many ulcers. I'll try injecting into my stomach as it's very well padded!

[Mumcon]

I have been plagued by mouth ulcers for years Got so bad my Dentist referred me to hospital, where they said it was definitely the Methrotexate which is causing them Saw Rheumatologist a few weeks ago and he has started to taper them down I was on 25mg and now down to 20mg I haven't had an ulcer for 3 weeks but I'm not totally convinced they won't come back

If they do return I think it will be a change to something else The problem is now I'm starting to feel more fatigued again and having a few problems with my joints

It's just a vicious circle I hope you get help soon as the ulcers are so debilatating I have suffered this for approx 14 years

[Poshcards]

Yes, I was put up to 25mg of metho tabs and they really made me sick, so mu rheumy changed it to Metoject injections and much better, although I do get a nauseus day two days after injections x

[Vivienham]

I'm glad you're much better on the injections - that's another recommendation! It's bad luck though that you still get a nauseus day. Thank you Poshcards for replying.