switch from methotrexate tablets to injections 20 mg

[Pipikin]

hello I was diagnosed with RA last year and have been on 20 mg mtx tablets but swapped to injections yesterday due to stomach upsets with tablets . Has anyone experience side effects when swapping over and if so do they subside ?

[Deeb1764]

this was the first medication I took (like many of us) and I had a really upset tummy on the pills, so pushed to injections. This improved but had to come off it due to other reasons. This is a common practice and helps many.

[Pipikin in reply to Deeb1764]

Thanks for reply - when you switched over were improvements noticed immediately or did it take a few weeks to get used to switch ? I am thinking it will take a few weeks

[Deeb1764 in reply to Pipikin]

If I remember correctly I think a week🥰

[Gottarelax]

For me, changing to injection was a game changer. No more stomach issues and my RA symptoms improved a lot. The improvement on my stomach was very quick and the RA improvement happened over months.

[welsh12 in reply to Gottarelax]

Can I ask what stomach issues you had as I have cramps

[Pipikin in reply to welsh12]

I had cramps and diarrhoea just for a day or day and a half after taking tablets .

[welsh12 in reply to Pipikin]

Thanks I seem to have cramp intermittently not just after taking them going for a appointment soon have raised it before but been dismissed

[Gottarelax in reply to welsh12]

I had bad acid reflux.

[welsh12 in reply to Gottarelax]

Me too so it improved with injection rather than tablets?

[Gottarelax in reply to welsh12]

Yes, 100%. The tablets go into your stomach and cause the issues but when they're injected, your stomach is bypassed and so the symptoms don't occur.

[ABwn]

I was on mtx tablets for a number of years. Then had to go onto Ipen as I could no longer get tablets without lactose. No problems at all with Ipen. Good luck, hopefully you'll have no problems .

[AgedCrone]

This move usually works well…but can take a little time which is usually the case when any treatment is tweaked like that-but not too long so don’t give up……any sort of change with meds doesn’t happen in a flash.

Good Luck with Mtx - I took it very successfully for 7 years as do many people with RA.I think one asset with any RA meds is that you have the determination to “stick with it” & don’t chop & change without giving a drug a really good go!

[Pipikin in reply to AgedCrone]

Thanks for the advice I felt pretty nauseous yesterday ( one day after injection !) and had started to think maybe I should have stuck with the tablets and upset stomachs but feel much better today so just need a bit more backbone to stick with the changeover 🌸 the pens are great

[AgedCrone in reply to Pipikin]

Good word that “Backbone” for dealing with RA meds.If you look back you will see if you manage to stick with it…you get on best.I have been lucky & only had to sleep on the bathroom floor to cope with a couple that didn’t suit me…....but it has paid off…… after nearly 30 years I’m doing OK!

Fingers crossed for you!

Getting used to dealing with RAx

[Pipikin in reply to AgedCrone]

I will use the bathroom floor test as an indicator from now on🤣

[Gramma3]

I felt alot better on injections much less side effects apart from fatigue for 2-3 days following injection. It helped controlled my RA more effectively too. I was diagnosed too last September. Side effects seem to improve the longer I am on the injections.

However I do have a lot of brain fog, which is annoying. I started injections in December.

unfortunately all RA medication has side effects some even more so.

[Retirednhs]

Hello l transferred a few years ago for the same reason have no problems at all since and the new methotrexate lens are so easy to use hope all goes well for you

[Mardie]

Hello. I have recently changed from Methotrexate tablets to injection and am on week 6 now. Fingers crossed but side effects have not been a problem. For me change was due because I was on 10mg tablets that didn't seem to be working any more to 15mg by injection. Am taking a low dose of prednisone at the same time so it's difficult to know if the increased dose of Methotrexate is making a difference or not. I thought it would by now but maybe I have to be a bit more patient. Hoping any side effects you have disappear quickly.

[Pipikin in reply to Mardie]

It seems to be all about trial and error - I am a bit of a feartie so not keen on change but with so many combinations available now it’s worth a try . In my area there is an advice line for calls with the ra specialist nurses. I have used that a couple of times and found it really helpful . Today I feel much better so hoping the nausea will wear off as time goes on . Good luck with your treatment plan 🌸

[Lex54]

I still take tablets same dose. Also Sulphasalazine and Hydroxychloriquine. I take Lansoprazole 30 mins before my tablets which helps. Still have a dodgy stomach first thing in morning but ok after that. Don’t want injection as can miss a dose if taken in body if unwell.

[GemsfromWarks]

I have been in the injections for many years. Now with a biologic as well. Take vitamin C as it helps with side effects. I still take 6 a week (not on injection day). Hospital keeps changing prescription to 1 a week but that has never worked for me

[Happy5]

My symptoms of nausea reduced on the injections, along with being prescribed anti nausea meds. My routine is take anti nausea med half hour before doing the injection. I do my injection bed time so sleep through symptoms. All the best.

[Pipikin in reply to Happy5]

Thanks it is really helpful to know that you can take anti nausea meds to help with symptoms - I will ask about that and I plan to start taking injection at night as I never thought about that when I first started so have been taking in the morning - all these wee tweaks will help thanks for sharing