1st time methotrexate s/c side effects help

[Mrsmouse8]

hi everybody

I have just done my 1st Mtx injection 10mgs and felt fine the whole day after and got on with my life, wow this is easy, I thought, I’ve got away with it! However almost exactly 24 hrs later I was poleaxed with a severe headache, nausea, stiff neck, sore glands & generally feeling grim, this has lasted into day 3 now, I am struggling to do all the stuff I need to do, does it ever go? Or is this how it is most of the week after injection? I take 5mgs of folic acid for 6 days too.

I know this is a small dose but I am sensitive to Dmards & don’t tolerate well as they drop my white cell count too low and i have to stop them. Mtx is my third Dmard.

I have left a message on my Rheumatology help line but they can take up to a week to get back.

Any tips or help would be appreciated 😊

Thank you Julia

[KittyJ]

You could have a virus and it’s nothing to do with mtx, just a coincidence, but with those symptoms I’d speak to your doctor as it might be something else instead.

[Mrsmouse8 in reply to KittyJ]

Ok thanks, yes true, I guess if the same happens next week I’ll know either way.

[AgedCrone]

I very much doubt xthat is a reaction to methotrexate. I think it sounds sounds as if you have picked up a bug.

Speak to your Rheumy team of course, but don’t decide to give up on Mtx. I had 7 very successful years on it……and others have had much longer.

Stay home keep warm and listen to your Rheumy

[Spanelmad]

Do you have bloods booked?will rule out bug and you'll know your counts.You say this is your first mtx and third dmard so I'm sure your being kept a close eye on.,try not to worry.

[Joannos]

I think you may have a bug, but check the side effects on your leaflet. All of the drugs drop our natural immune response so we get poorly quite quickly. The trick to RA is knowing when it's not RA

[smilelines]

yes, I agree with those that think it is likely a flu. Take care.

[Sheila_G]

Hi. It doesn't sound like side effects to me. They would have been more immediate. As others have said, it sounds like something else but check it out.

[girli1111]

I agree with other comments about possibly having a virus on top. Hopefully advice line speak to you before next injection is due. In the meantime help your body by making sure you stay well hydrated to support your liver and kidneys as much as possible. Seek more medical advice if things worsen

[Angels54]

Hi, I am a bit like you when taking drugs , I think know your own body if it makes you feel ill don’t take it .

[Leics]

Unfortunately I had the same issues with mtx and I was only on 7.5 after a few weeks the side effects did lessen and my joint pain did get much better. Instead of having nausea, headaches and brain fog like you wouldn’t believe for 3 days afterwards it went down to the day after. In my case I got Covid twice as I had a rebound infection and then the side effects went back to a level which was even worse than before for 5/7 and mtx stopped working. I stuck it out for a further 5 months and then had to admit defeat. It’s early yet and hopefully the symptoms you’re experiencing lessen over the next few weeks and it turns out to be the 1, my liver didn’t like mtx either but I consider myself unlucky.

[Portinatx17]

I was floored initially on 20mg, but it resolved for me. I woukd request a blood test asap, particularly as you are sensitive to meds. Unfortunately RA meds leave you susceptible to infections . The addition of Amgevita for me did this big style! Thinking of you ok x

[Hidden]

I had similar issuies as well mosty the headaches and fatuige id maybe phone the helpline

[Happy5]

Agree with the others to check if you have an infection. I am on 20mg so I do my injection before I go to bed having taken an anti sickness tablet, (prescribed) about half hour before. I also have a Co-codamol (again prescribed) to aid with sleep. means I sleep through worse of the side effects. I have my water bottle near my bed to drink water when I wake up, drinking lots of water too helps. I do find I'm fatigued but the RA has that effect too. I have to plan what I do each day ensuring I can rest between, occasionally I do what I call a "normal" day, go food shopping, have a massage , sort house work chores, pay for it being worn out for couple of days after.

All the best 🙂

[Mostmoses]

I had serious reactions to MTX including fatigue and headaches, and eventually a spike migraine that put me in the hospital for 72 hours. Hydroxychlorquine also gave me very dangerous side effects. You say MTX is your third DMARD so presumably the other two were problematic and as you say, you may just not respond well to DMARDS. Check with your doctor. It may be time to try something different. I know that many people are fine on MTX, but everyone’s different and we need to find our own way.

[Mrsmouse8 in reply to Mostmoses]

Thank you all so much for your support- I am now on day 4 post injection and still have debilitating headaches & nausea and a bizarrely red face! 🤢no cold symptoms though- I don’t think it’s a bug but will try and get bloods done to check on Monday. I think im just a bit sensitive to dmards in general, I really liked sulphasalazine as i felt really well on it but even on half a dose it dropped my neutrophils too low and they won’t let me take it, i might ask to try it again to see.

Im a bit scared to do my next injection on Tuesday now, is it ok to miss a week? Still not heard back from rheum help line.