Metho Rash

[Lgrattan03]

Hi all,

Has anyone suffered with an itchy rash after taking mtx? My partner started 10mg 3 weeks ago then increased to 15mg last weekend and developed itchy skin, now appearing as a rash on left forearm and on right. The GP said its an allergic reaction and gave him an anti histimine but doesnt want to take my partner off Mtx (due tomorrow). Rheumy impossible to get through and helpline is a 4 day wait. He is grtting bloods done today too so hoping these are ok but wanted to ask if anyone has had this and is it normal? His pain is reduced slightly (he is on sulphra plus mtx) so it seems to be working) thanks

[cyberbarn]

Do you mean sulphasalazine? How long has he been on Sulph? It was that that gave me a rash like that.

[Lgrattan03 in reply to cyberbarn]

Hi cyberbarn, he has been on sulfra 3 years so no symptoms other than peeing alot and orange pee. Only started mtx 4 weeks ago now and the rash started 4 days after increasing to 15mg mtx with his normal 6 tabs sulfra. GP didnt think it was serious and to take next dose which was today so we will see. Thank you. Also anti histimines seem to have stopped the itch

[Gnarli]

Obviously checking it out with your rheumy team would be the ideal, but I understand they're a bit elusive. I've never had a rash with MTX but I'm allergic to sulpha apparently and itched all over when I took it.

[fergus22]

Yes. When i was initially diagnosed with RA i was put on MTX. I gradually became aware of a small, circular rash on the back of one leg. It was very itchy for something so small. Gradually the rash got bigger and ridiculously itchy. I could only think of the MTX as the cause and went to see the rheumatology nurses as I felt sure they must have seen this before and would recognise it. They said not and did not think it was due to the medication, suggesting I try antihistamine tablets. They did nothing and the rash was getting much worse. In the end I was reluctantly taken off the MTX. Guess what, the rash slowly reduced and the itching stopped. Obviously, I cannot say it is the same in your case. I hope it gets sorted, sometimes it is the accumulation of all these smaller things that drive us crazy.

[Lgrattan03 in reply to fergus22]

Sorry to hear you had to come off mtx and hope all is well with you Fergus22. Thank you for sharing your experience and it is very much a case of 'it could be this?' 'It could be that' total guess work. The itch has stopped with anti histimines but rash still around. Its too early to see i think and we will see how it goes with mtx. At least the itch has stopped! Thank you again

[Retirednhs]

Hi, l have been on methotrexate forabout 15 years starting with tablets and moving on to self injections and luckily not had rashes but l am aware that this is something your RA team should know about you. If you cannot contact your help line or Consultant l would send an email or letter if you are unable to speak with them about this, or even contact the secretaries to leave a message,.

I hope you will soon get this sorted

[Lgrattan03 in reply to Retirednhs]

Thank you for your response retirednhs. I think we will defo let the Rheumy know. Anti histimines prescribed by gp seem to have stopped the itch but I think it is good to flag just in case. Thank you.

[linmar]

How annoying, I've been on sulphasalazine and methotrexate, none made me itch but eventually didn't do the job. I'm now on 10mg methotrexate, no itch, and Amgevita injections which for me, take the pain away completely after years of pain and fusing. If it works for others as good. I wish it was made more available . Sorry, this doesn't help you but I will say, be ause of being on Methotrexate, I developed a histamine problem when I was having sourkraut daily thinking it was good for my gut. I now don't eat high histamine foods so that it doesn't build up to an intolerance and that did give me a rash, so I had to have antihistamines. Maybe look at the foods you are eating.

[Lgrattan03 in reply to linmar]

Thank you linmar! We had no idea aboit histimine foods and sometimes we do have kimchi (again thinking good for gut). I will look at diet (i do the shopping and cooking) and see if this is a factor. Anti histimines seemed to stop the itch so could be the problem. Thank you for your response