methotrexate

[Dexter1414]

I have rheumatoid arthritis and I’m taking methotrexate and folic acid once a week but I have been experiencing bloating and keep burping and feels uncomfortable in my tummy sometimes can I take folic acid everyday to help this , or something else like someone said on here peppermint capsules

[vonniesims]

A lot of us take folic acid every day except Methotrexate day.You need to ask whoever gives you your prescriptions if you can do this

[Dexter1414 in reply to vonniesims]

Do you take folic acid everyday do you get burping problems

[zeus49 in reply to vonniesims]

Hello Dexter . I have rheaumatoid arthritis, I am having benapalu, methotrexate etc. after my injections I take folic acid for 6 days, Doxycycline and omprezole once a week. Omprezole helps the digestive system . I was told by my doctor. You probably need to speak to your GP, Specialist Nurse about it. Thankyou Zeus49

[helenlw7]

I take mtx on a Monday, and folic acid every once day.

[Dexter1414 in reply to helenlw7]

So you take it everyday folic acid except on methotrexate day I take these folic acid is this ok

Folic acid pot

[Hisue in reply to Dexter1414]

Why are they sending you pregnancy dose folic acid?🤔

[Dexter1414 in reply to Hisue]

That’s what I bought in shop

[AgedCrone in reply to Dexter1414]

In UK you can’t buy OTC the strength strength of Folic Acid you need to take with Mtx,,,,,you have to get it on prescription.

Have a word with your rheumy team about issuing a prescription& ask how often should take it.

[Dexter1414 in reply to AgedCrone]

Anyone else had wind issues and burping and sometimes bloated what did you take while on methotrexate

[AgedCrone in reply to Dexter1414]

Took FA six times a week & had no problems at all…try sucking a peppermint.

[tezzab in reply to Dexter1414]

I have been having wind issues over the last few months. I take one 5mg folic acid tablet the day after my Methotrexate tablet. I thought it was probably a side effect of the Codeine I take, because I have not really noticed any other side effects that are specific to Meth. I might try one folic acid a day for a week and see how it goes.

I have actually been more concerned about the dry eye I have developing the last couple of years. That has been driving me mad especially combined with my allergic itchy eyes.

[Dexter1414 in reply to tezzab]

Another question do you drink milk I have semi skimmed milk with my cereal

[Hisue in reply to Dexter1414]

Ask your dr for a Folic acid script w/corrected dosage.

[Dexter1414 in reply to Hisue]

What dosage you take and how many times a week

[Hisue in reply to Dexter1414]

I was prescribed 2mg folic acid/day, every single day - which prevented mouth sores (which can occur with mtx).

[AgedCrone in reply to Hisue]

But you are in the US….rheumatologists in the UK advise differently.

The most usual dose is 5mg x 6 days…NOT on Mtx day.

[Hisue in reply to AgedCrone]

Dexter directed a question to me & I answered it. This is specifically what my rheumatologist prescribed for me.

(P.S. There is a general standard of care - some in my USA arthritis group take 5mg/day, except on mtx day.)

[AgedCrone in reply to Hisue]

You seem to have misunderstood. I was not telling you what you should take, I was informing you….what has been said often on this site…… that the prescribing of Folic Acid with Methotrexate is often different in the US from in the UK.

It is interesting to read how medication is prescribed in other countries, But whatever dose you take should be as presctibed for you by your own rheumatologist, ,not what somebody on a site like this says.

[Hisue in reply to AgedCrone]

I did not misunderstand you. I am a medical professional: I replied to Dexter's question with what dosage I was prescribed, by my rheumatologist. I did NOT advise him to take my dosage. 🤓

[AW600 in reply to Dexter1414]

Folic acid should be 5mg, you’ll need a prescription as can’t buy it over the counter. Are you taking anything else like omeprazole?

[Dexter1414 in reply to AW600]

No as rheumatology nurses told me I don’t need to take anything like that plus omeprazole not good

Tablets

[helenlw7]

Mine comes from the hospital with my methotrexate and it’s 5mg.. Who does your methotrexate prescription?

[Dexter1414 in reply to helenlw7]

My doctor

[Sherlock11 in reply to Dexter1414]

I also used to have 5mgs everyday except meth day. I think you're only having 0.4 mgs per day. I would ask your Gp for the correct dose then you may feel better.

[Hisue in reply to Sherlock11]

Good detective work!🤓

[Runrig01]

hey in earth has your rheumatologist not prescribed the standard folic acid 5mg dose. I take folic acid 6 days a week. This needs to be raised with your consultant, because as part of the shared care agreement with the gp, they should be prescribing. They may initially want to try you on the once weekly at 5mg, as you’ve only tried 400mcg, and if that doesn’t work then it should be increased to daily. How long have you been on MTX and only taking 400mcg

[Dexter1414 in reply to Runrig01]

I have been taking 5mg from doctor once a week but the other folic acid tablets were in my cupboard if everyone takes folic acid everyday I hope the doctor says I can do it can stop my burping and funny feeling in my stomach

[welsh12 in reply to Dexter1414]

Maybe you need a ppi ask your gp

[Dexter1414 in reply to welsh12]

what’s that

[welsh12 in reply to Dexter1414]

Omeprazole reduces stomach acid if you have it gp needs to advise

[Dexter1414 in reply to welsh12]

Apparently read on Google that omeprazole

Omeprazole

[welsh12 in reply to Dexter1414]

Seek advice from your GP not google

[NanaFifi in reply to Dexter1414]

I take Omeprazole every day and have had no problems whatsoever with toxicity and I’ve been on mtx for many years. I also take folic acid every day apart from mtx injection day as I was having bad nausea. I have no idea whether folic acid will help your burping but I changed from tablet to injection because I was having dreadful wind - going down the way, not up 🙈

[Dexter1414 in reply to NanaFifi]

Have you had the covid vaccine yet and I have always had the covid vaccine while on my methotrexate

[NanaFifi in reply to Dexter1414]

I always take my Covid boosters

[jarujuda]

hi, I take omeprazole every day to stop this also swapped to injections. Much better 😊

[Pjf0265]

I was told to get a prescription for omeprozole and it worked

[emmajj1971]

Speak with your Dr are you on methotrexate tablets or injection as injection are better tolerated and the benefits of taking methotrexate are weakened the more days you take folic acid. You may need something else as what works for 1 person doesn't for another

[Egpa]

Hi, I take 20mg injection in a Monday with no folic acid, Tuesday-sunday folic acid, I had problems with pains and bloating my consultant gave me omeprazone to take once a day befir my main meal, if it's to bad I take one before breakfast and on before evening meal. Hope you feel better soon.

[SingingJay]

I take 5mg folic acid every day except Methotrexate day.

[Cat-E]

My rheumy nurse told me to up my folic acid to 5x a week after having terrible tummy issues but then I got constipated so I dropped it down to 3x a week (take mtx on Tuesday and Folic acid on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday) As others have said the ones you can buy are a much lower dose than the prescribed ones. I also have omeprazole on prescription but don't like to take that too much due to the possible side effects, so only use on rare occasions if normal rennie r the like won't work. Although I have to say, indigestion issues seem to have got much better recently.

[Impie]

I take folic acid everyday apart from the day I take mtrx. I get the folic acid on prescription I'd suspect they are better than over the counter but I'm not an expert xx

[Dexter1414]

does anyone take tumeric at all I’m wondering if that is why I’m burping and feeling funny in my stomach

[CallMeSunny in reply to Dexter1414]

Perhaps stop taking turmeric to see if it helps you as we all react differently in the way our individual bodies process anything taken orally. Good luck.

[NanaFifi in reply to Dexter1414]

Maybe you should stop taking the turmeric for a few weeks to see if there’s any change in your tummy symptoms?

[Dexter1414 in reply to NanaFifi]

Turmeric works well for me though but apparently it says this on Google

Tablets

[NanaFifi in reply to Dexter1414]

What do you mean when you say it works well for you? What benefits do you get from taking turmeric?

[Dexter1414 in reply to NanaFifi]

It’s helped my legs but not so much my hands and shoulder cause of the job I’m in a supermarket

[parkrungirl66]

I’ve only been on methotrexate 4 weeks but when I was prescribed it was also persrbied folic acid 6 days a week. Which I was lead to believe was standard practice. When I asked about just buying over counter they very clearly said they were not strong enough.

I’ve not had problems with burning, had a couple of times felt sick but wasn’t.

Like others have said I’d check with your rheumatology team, what you should be on.

[Happy5]

As others have said contact your RA team for advice. I take folic acid daily except MTX day but was advised this by specialist RA nurse. Always helps to discuss things with the specialist nurse, RA team they have lots of options to offer.

[strongmouse]

My husband found peppermint capsules helped when he was on methotrexate and had these symptoms.

[Dexter1414 in reply to strongmouse]

Thankyou doctors give me before was Famotidine you ever heard of it supposed to be safer with methotrexate than omeprazole

[strongmouse in reply to Dexter1414]

No, sorry I haven't.

[suwinter]

Hi there. I take methotrexate once per week and 5mg folic acid the other 6 days (prescribed by GP). I also take 1x30mg Lansoprazole twice daily.

I’ve never had any problem taking Lansoprazole with mtx. I’ve been on mtx for over 20 years and Lansoprazole/ omeprazole for approx the same time.

Hope that helps

[Dexter1414 in reply to suwinter]

Do you take any vitamins while on methotrexate

[suwinter in reply to Dexter1414]

I take multi mins/vits that I buy OTC once per day (as I’m also on warfarin, I avoid ones with vitamin k). I also take cod liver oil 1000 mg daily.

[One-Blue-Lady in reply to suwinter]

Have you had a DEXA scan for your bones? I’m wondering because being on lanzoprazole/omeprazole for so long I would be worried about your bone thinning and osteoporosis

[suwinter]

No I haven’t. I smashed my ankle 4 years ago (when I tried to stop my bicycle from hitting a boulder by putting my leg out… 🙄). They didn’t flag up any issues then with osteoporosis or thinning. To be honest, I have gastritis and a duodenal ulcer and need to take something. The ulcer was probably caused by meds.

[Dexter1414]

anyone take turmeric I find it helps me but don’t know after reading google I take 500mg everyday of just turmeric or should I be taking turmeric and black pepper