Increased methotrexate to 25mg , urine colour

[HappyD34]

All I seem to do is ask questions and I’m sorry 😔

I started on 17 October on 15mg methotrexate injections and seem to tolerate, increased to 20mg a month later and as of Thursday on 25mg. I had told consultant 2 weeks ago that I didn’t feel any different, in fact since taking the drug felt more discomfort with joints ( although it can last seconds) . No swelling and bloods all ok, so she suggested increase to 25 as disease still active.

I’ve always drank at least 1.5 lts of water a day and had noticed that taking methotrexate that urine darker but after a day it was back to straw colour. However since Thursday when I upped 25mg it has taken a good 2/3 days to get it to be a good colour , and to make matters I feel yuk. Not bed ridden just low and “yuk”. I take 5mg folic acid every day apart from mtx day.

Has anyone else had this?

I’ve had to succumb to two biscuits to console myself 🤪

thanks for bearing with me and this long post

[Ashley1014]

I haven’t paid attention to my urine color but am on the same mtx dose as you and on the day I take it and the two days after I feel quite gross. Nauseas, achey, tired, headache, just all together gross. But it resolves and I feel better after two to three days. I’m not sure if the mtx is honestly doing anything or if it’s the enbrel doing all the work.

[HappyD34 in reply to Ashley1014]

Aww thanks Ashley for replying. Yup just about sums it up for me too, although surely we don’t have to put up with 30% of our week feeling like this 🤷‍♀️. I’ll give it another shot and see how it goes. Hope you’re doing okay, cheerio

[Ashley1014 in reply to HappyD34]

I know wouldn’t it be nice if we weren’t giving up such a large chunk of our week to feeling like crud so we can feel better? Seems a bit backwards to me. I don’t remember it doing this the last time I was on it. I took a brief break to have my last child. Then went back on. It seems much worse this time.

[HappyD34 in reply to Ashley1014]

Absolutely 😘

[medway-lady]

A few medications can darken urine colour and so does a lot of food.If you think it’s blood then ring your GP for a UTI dip. If your drinking enough then it might be worth keeping a diary but slightly darker is different from bright red or brown or nearly brown and also if uncomfortable then talk to your GP. If you can see clouds of darker fluid it might be blood so best get checked. Although to put into perspective my Nephrologist said that blood is rarely sinister but needs checking.

[HappyD34 in reply to medway-lady]

Thanks Medwaylady. Can I just check when you say brown or nearly dark brown I thought that was quite a bit of dehydration, sorry, wasn’t sure if you meant brown etc in the same category as red ? ☺️

[medway-lady]

Not always fresh blood can be bright red / pinky or even feel oily and stale brown’ish. If it looks like coffee grounds then it can be really dehydrated but it’s best to get it checked out. And I think it needs checking out but you haven’t by any chance done a bit of strenuous exercise as that can cause issues as can eating liquorice ! I’d urge you get some advice but it’s also possible that it’s nothing at all. I’d not worry if it’s just a bit darker in the morning but keep a note and get some professional advice.

[Bluegolf1975]

Hi Happy

I feel for you I’ve been on Mtx ever since I got diagnosed with RA and when I was on Tablets it was awful then I requested the Methotrexate injection and since then have had a lot less symptoms. As injections bypass your digestive system and that can help in reducing your side effects. I hope this information helps.

Also don’t be too hard on yourself as You are probably doing a lot better than you think.

Take Care

[smilelines]

Do you go in for blood tests often. this will tell how your kidneys are doing.

[Waffs]

Hiya, just wanted to say, make sure they test your liver frequently whilst on Methotrexate. I was on various doses over the years and it really helped my PsA and my psoriasis. But it started to be a bit ineffectual and so I started on biological injection as well as Methotrexate and that once again helped. Unfortunately I had a few issues and after tests was found to have liver fibrosis. I was immediately told by my rheumy to stop taking the Methotrexate as it had caused the liver problems. Methotrexate works for many and it did for me, for a while. Just be careful and get tested. Take care.

[HappyD34 in reply to Waffs]

Hi Waffs, thank you so much indeed. Glad things back on track for you , all the best

[Joannos]

I have darker, smellier wee since the increase in MTX