MTX and bloating

[BossyB]

I have been taking MTX for 3 weeks and I keep having days when I am really bloated and seem to swell up. Then next day goes down. Is this me or the medication. Really getting me down. Can't seem to focus on any diet at the moment and it's driving me mad. Only had RA since July.

[sylvi]

Give it time debbie, you have only known since july what was wrong with you.I wish i could say its the answer,but if your worried speak to your rheumy and ask their opinion. xxx

[ariadne]

The oral methotrexate is notorious for causing stomach problems, bloating is one of them. It can cause problems that are very similar to irritable bowel syndrome, with cramping, gas, bloating and nausea, with diahorrea too. If your tummy problems get too much, you can ask for the injection, as this tends to cause fewer problems, as it bypasses the stomach altogether.

I found that my problems increased when I upped the dose, and know that I wont tolerate the standard dose that my rheumy wnated me on - 15mgs, The monitoring staff felt its because Im quite small and so the standard does may be a little high for me. So sometimes trying to find the right doasgae can help too.

Good luck with your treatment, and keep us updated on how you are getting on x

[BossyB in reply to ariadne]

HI Ariadne

Thanks for your comments, at least i know it is due to the MTX as i had stomach cramps last night after i took the MTX and feel pretty nauseus today. It does normally subside after 2 days though. Just dread Wednesdays at the moment but i know i need to take it to prevent any damage.

[sandyrob1 in reply to ariadne]

Thank you ariadne I thought I was imagining the link between my taking methotrexate and being really bloated since my dosage went up. I've just been researching my irritated eyes also to find there's a link there to. My mum said I looked pregnant the other day lol and I was feeling down as I thought I'd gained weight really quickly x

[JaneHB in reply to ariadne]

My first dose of mtx did not cause me problems and was injected. Since I'm still working though and cannot miss a couple of hours every week, I switched to the oral. Ever since, I've had the most horrible gas and bloating for four days that I'm embarrassed if I have to spend more than two minutes near someone. Will Gas X help or a dose of BeanO every morning or anything?

[ariadne]

sorry for the typos - having some problems with my eyes...

[ariadne]

Oh Debbie, know what you mean about dreading methotrexate day! I just about recover a little and its time to go again! Im trialling the drug for 6 months to see if I respond to it., If I dont, Im off it and we try something else, since there is no point taking such a risky and nasty drug when you dont get a fair return in terms of benefit. Ive laready tried hydroxychloroquine which really helped, but the side effects were bad, and I have been left with blurry vision and a patch of retinal damage that excludes the possibilty of ever taking hcq again, sadly. But Im hopeful that something else will work, and hopefully without too many side effects. x

[Micp in reply to ariadne]

When I was on hydrochloroquine it messed my vision up also. Now I have permanent brown spots floating around. Just started me tho and I have noticed bloating and gasy.

[Calliope]

Hi Debbie, I used to get bloated all the time, during the time I was being diagnosed before I knew I had RA I went gluten free as I had heard that it would help my joints and it completely stopped the bloating. I've now had RA for nearly 2 years and am on MTX tablets from when I was diagnosed. I decided to stay wheat free as I felt so much better for it. I found that cutting out wheat kept the weight down (1 positive). Not so much strain on the joints and I don't ever feel bloated (2 positive) and if I do then I know I have eaten something I shouldn't have. I am sure it helps my RA, but there is nothing scientific that I know. It is a lifestyle change, but then RA is a mega lifestyle change. I do miss drinking red wine, I do have the odd glass though and I miss croissants and fresh baguettes too. If you do give it a try you need to be dedicated for minimum of 6 weeks. Hope this helps and hope you start to feel a bit better soon.

[RichardG]

This is quite common for me (bloating, gas, nausea) for 24 to 48 hours after taking the methotrexate although some weeks I get virtually nothing and some weeks are much worse. Havn't really worked out why, and I have been taking methotrexate for 2 years now. What seems to work best for me is taking all tablets at once after a main meal and before a light pud. Tried speading the tablets out but that seems much worse. Luckily for me this feeling only lasts a day or so and the RA has reduced to a level that does not stop me doing anything I want.

[AgentEmAudio]

Hello, I've been on mtx for nearly 3 months (I have Lupus and Scleroderma) I'm having some stomach problems especially bloating. I noticed someone mentioned gluten free but I was wondering if anyone had any other advice? Is there any other food or tea I can have to reduce the bloating? Also did anyone gain weight while on mtx? Thank you for reading I'm feeling a little lost and it's really nice to have support out there.

[JaneHB in reply to AgentEmAudio]

I'm now wondering about the gluten free too, but I eat a lot of whole grain, fresh fruit and vegetable and no meat and I'm just thinking going gluten free too may be more than I can handle!

[Triscichick in reply to AgentEmAudio]

I have Lupus, too. I was struggling with my weight, but I've lost weight since minimizing gluten in my diet. The cramping and bloating are still an issue. My joints still hurt, I have pain, burning, and tearing in my eyes, and the fatigue is debilitating at times. I'm really discouraged with the MTX. I was on Plaquenil for a couple of months, but I was allergic to it.

[Triscichick]

I have also had issues with cramping and gas after taking MTX. I take 20 mg per week, and I haven't seen much benefit...it's been 13 weeks. I read that it can take up to 6 months to feel any benefits, but I feel like I'm trashing my liver for nothing! I have been gluten-free for several weeks. I'm losing weight, but I still feel crappy.