methotrexate

[Deejojo]

I am due to start methotrexate injections on the 20th jan what the side effects please I’m already on Simponi injections 🤦‍♀️

[virtualreality]

Hi  Deejojo , I hope the methotrexate proves to be an effective treatment for you alongside the Simponi. I know it can work really well in conjunction with other medications.

The potential side effects vary a lot from person to person - some people have none at all, whereas for others they're more intrusive - hopefully you'll be in the first group! Usually folic acid is prescribed alongside methotrexate to reduce gastro side effects like nausea - have you been offered that?

The things I've personally found helpful for methotrexate side effects are taking folic acid six days a week (not on methotrexate day), drinking plenty of water on the day of my dose and the day after, doing the injection in the evening so that I can sleep through the first part (I tend to feel more tired after it and sleep longer that night) and taking it easy the day after the injection, reducing screen time and travelling (both exacerbate nausea for me).

Fingers crossed it enhances your treatment, and that you don't have much or any side effects with it. If there's anything else you'd like to know please just ask - there are loads of us taking it!

[patsymay13]

Hi Deejojo I don’t seem to feel any side effects except for feeling more tired on the day after sometimes , hopes it works well for you ….

[lovemydoggy]

I’ve had 3 jabs. First one caused dizziness, nausea and fatigue. Dizziness went away in one day, but felt like crap the rest of the week. Second jab, less dizzy, nausea and fatigue about the same, but felt great the day before the next injection. This week side effects not as bad and I feel pretty. Good today. I think that will continue tomorrow and we shall see this next dose.

I posted before I started and got varying responses. Some had zero side effects, some had vomiting, some couldn’t take side effects. Headache was also mentioned. When I did the injection I just told myself I wouldn’t know until I took it and crossed my fingers. Well, not literally as they hurt. Lol

[Sebastian247]

Hi there. I took it orally, so not quite the same. I experienced nausea to start but this eased after time and with taking folic acid 6 days a week. I had to stop it after a year or so but that was due to an unusual reaction. There's information on the NRAS and versus arthritis websites that's helpful. Everyone is unique so I'd not be too influenced by others experiences. Best wishes.

[Gramma3]

I have personally found the side effects to improve over 3 months. Nausea reducing the most. The brain fog has reduced but still problematic. It has definitely improved my RA.

[AgedCrone]

Oh please don’t expect any side effects! I know you must read here about side effects from MTX ..but people who get on well with it don’t put pen to paper they just get on with enjoying their lives.

It’s only the few who don’t do well on it who naturally say so.

I hope you are one of the lucky ones..I had 7 really good years on it..& I was very sorry when it just stopped working, but these days there is always something else to take over.

[Lifesforliving]

Combination of Simponi and methotrexate injections (plus Folic Acid daily to combat hair thinning) worked like a dream for me for over 5 years with absolutely NO SIDE EFFECTS. Wouldn't have known I had RA. Had to be taken off MTX for other reasons but all the time I was on it the two medications worked in tandem perfectly.

[arvine in reply to Lifesforliving]

Curious , how long when you first started metho did it take to notice relief from pain

[Lifesforliving]

I was taking MTX for several years before switching to using it in combination with a biologic, so it's difficult to be specific now. From memory, when I first started taking it (then in tablet form), there was probably a period of 2-3 weeks for it to become totally effective. Over the years, as RA became more active, the dosage was increased from an initial 10mg up to 25mg when my hair started noticeably thinning, only partially countered by Folic Acid. MTX was reduced to 10mg again as a result, but supported by biologics, and I was completely pain-free until I was taken off it last year. In all that time I never felt unwell, tired, nauseous, or any of the other side effects others seem to suffer. Only hair thinning. I did have to stop taking MTX for a period of about 6 weeks circa 5 years ago; I flared within two weeks. When I began taking it again, it provided pain control within about 10 days of re-starting.

[Heck]

hi started on tablets to start agout15 years ago then after four years went onto 25 ml injections at the beginning side affects mouth ulcers really bad flu symptoms every few months and skin rashes lasted for 2-3 years it took two years to get diagnosed couldn’t turn over in bed and much pain but the methotrexate prednisone helped a lot After a few years almost normal but then had heart Attack and stent fitted 2014 possible due to R. A In November I was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis which could be possibly due through taking methotrexate I’m waiting for a lung function test and another mri scan but had no back up on how bad I am I don’t want to scare you but give it a try it affects everyone differently Hope your feeling better soon takes about three months for me good luck AL

[Suzy95]

I have been on methotrexate injections for a while now and find it works quite well. I have usual side effects of feeling tired and a bit sick for a day or so but find the injection better than tablets. Hope you feel better.

[Flamingheart]

I was on tablets but had really bad sickness so switched to injections two months ago. All has been going really well until today, I'm having a bad flare but thought I should still do my injection. Almost immediately I felt dizzy, sick and generally not very well. I was going to phone the nurses to ask if it's because of the flare but instead I've put my PJ's on and I'm going to sleep.Good luck, as someone else said, you might not have any side effects at all.