Hi Have appt with Rheummy nurse this week and wondering whether to ask about methotrexate injections.

[Susanbet]

Been on 25mgs orally for nearly 6 months now ans so fed up with sickness etc. Anyone changed to injections and felt more human?! Any advice would be welcomed.

[Mags126]

Hi Susan,

I was on oral Mtx for just under a year and initially didn't have many problems but latterly suffered nausea and sickness. I have since changed to injections and have been sticking a needle in myself for about three months now. It has really helped with the nausea and sickness and I do feel better for it. It is easy to do but you are shown how by the rheumy nurses who don't let you home with the injections until they are happy that you will be able to manage the injections yourself.

My dose was also lowered which I guess may too have helped with the nausea.

I would recommend you speak to your nurse about injections as I think they could really help you. I know how horrible the nausea and sickness is so I sympathise and wish you well.

Mags x

[RayinBude]

Hi Susan

I to was on oral Mtx 25mg for 12 months and suffered the dreaded nausea for most of the week, I switched to the injections and was clear of nausea for about 18 months however it then came back and my dose was reduced to 20mg to try and help again it helped for a short time but I now suffer nausea and sickness for at least three days after the injection, in fact I have felt so bad at times that I have thought about stopping altogether. I have also had four cycles of the Anti TMF Rituximab again this has helped with the flares but it also makes me feel sick for a couple of weeks after the infusion,perhaps I just have to live with it, at the end of the day they may help you and your problems, everyone is effected in different ways.

Ray x

[Hidden in reply to RayinBude]

Are you taking Folic Acid? Lxx

[RayinBude in reply to Hidden]

Yes Loret every day accept on injection day of course xx

[RayinBude in reply to Hidden]

Yes Loret every day accept on injection day of course , and anti-nasea tablets but nothing seems to help. xx

[Victoria-NRAS Partner Moderator NRAS]

Hi Susan

I see no harm in asking about them, especially if it has been like this for 6 months! Have they tried anything else to control it? Some things that can help include:

-anti-nausea tablets

-taking the folic acid the next day after MTX

-taking the MTX in the evenings so that hopefully you sleep through the worst of the nausea

Often the nausea passes with time as your body gets used to it, but as it's been 6 months it is certainly worth asking about the injections. There are no guarantees that this will resolve the problem, but there's a good chance that it will, as it will go directly into the blood stream rather than through the digestive system.

Kind regards

Victoria

(NRAS Helpline & Information Coordinator)

[dapper]

hello ,i changed to mtx injections back in november and do feel a fair bit better ,still hve a grotty day the day after with tiredness and just generally offish ,but definately improved ,