Methotrexate - bladder side effects

[Froggie70]

Hi everyone wondering if any Methotrexate user has experienced bladder issues? I’ve posted before about ongoing UTIs and am now on Hiprex and D-Mannose and high dose vitamin C per Urology department. Anyway have been on and off Methotrexate due to various differing infections and I always have to build up to 15mg dose when I’ve been off it a while due to nausea despite being on it for 10 years. So yesterday I finally got back to my full dose and this afternoon I’m starting to feel very uncomfortable again and peeing frequently. I’m beginning to suspect 15mg Methotrexate is causing the problem, has anyone else experienced this? Had an appointment with Rheumatology 2 weeks ago and they were talking about trying Sulphasalazine but on reading the leaflet when I got home I see you can’t take Hiprex while on this, despite the nurse saying I could. Thanks. x

[HappyD34]

Hi Froggie70, I have just built up to 25mg of mtx and haven’t had that issue ( my slight issue is darker urine for the first 2 days having taken it so I drink about 2 litres of water a day). The mTX leaflet does say to contact your gp if you are experiencing either less peeing or none. Maybe this drug is not best suited for you ? Sorry I can’t offer anything else but I hope you get sorted x

[Froggie70 in reply to HappyD34]

Hi HappyD thanks so much for replying, much appreciated. Rheumatology nurse suggested a change to Sulphasalazine so maybe need to consider that. x

[Mich1701]

I tend to pee a lot more after taking my methotrexate. I'm on 15mg weekly injections. I inject in the evening to try to sleep through the nausea but then I'm up 2 or 3 times to go to loo!

[Froggie70 in reply to Mich1701]

Hi Mich thanks for replying. I’m the same, up 3 times every night, sometimes think it’d be easier just to take the duvet in with me😉. That said I think perhaps I’m drinking too much water in the hope of trying to flush any potential infection away so will try reducing how much I drink in later evening.

[SwimmerBTC]

I have 22.5mg injections every week and fortunately I haven’t had any issues with my bladder. I also take Sulfasalazine twice a day.

[medway-lady]

No but I strongly suspect Etanercept does the same. I have a photo diary of blood and loos ! The Hiprex helps as does drinking at least 3 pints a day of water.

[Froggie70 in reply to medway-lady]

Hi thanks for replying. Hopefully I’ll get to stay on the Hiprex, if they decide to put me on Sulphasalazine then it’s back to the drawing board. x