MTX injections

[BossyB]

Today had my first injection after transferring from oral due to side effects. What side effects if any are there. I still feel bit dizzy and hands shaking. Tips of my fingers feel bit numb and are going bright red. Is this normal. I thought there were no side effects with injections.?

[julieporter]

Hi Debbie

There are side effects with most meds it's just with injections most of the gastric ones are eliminated.I also feel a bit dizzy and shaky for a few hours afterwards so i try and inject straight before i go to bed.Check out the leaflet that comes with the meds but if your worried try and call your rhuemy nurse for advice.

Hope your injections work well for you

Julie x

[LavendarLady]

Hi Debbie, you may still feel a bit nauseous with the injections until your system gets used to them and settles down. If you do, take something like Gaviscon or pepto bismol to settle your tum. It usually wears off pretty quickly.

I didn't feel dizzy with the injections at all - I usually have mine in the morning each Wednesday - sometimes later in the day if I am working. It may be a bit of apprehension about the new regime has caused the dizziness. If it continues, have a word with your consultant/nurse or GP. The injection is run in under the skin at about a 45 degree angle so doesn't go in too deep.

Whereabouts are you injecting? Some people use their midriff which I do, others inject into leg or arm. Whichever suits best but I find the midriff is the easiest. A bit more padding there. lol. My anti tnf Enbrel goes into my stomach area - sometimes feel like a pincushion!

Not come across any tingling or reddening of finger tips though. So not sure what would cause that at all. Perhaps give the nurse a ring next week just to set your mind at rest. LavendarLady x

[Victoria-NRAS Partner Moderator NRAS]

Hi Debbie

Unfortunately all drugs have potential side-effects, though people usually get less side-effects on the injections. One of the common reasons for people switching to the injections from the tablets is if they are getting stomach-related side-effects. As the injections go into the blood stream rather than through the digestive system it often helps with these kinds of side-effects.

It may be worth looking at the patient information leaflet for this drug if you want to know what the potential side-effects are:

medicines.org.uk/EMC/medici...

Some side-effects will pass with time as your body gets used to the medication.

Hope this helps!

Victoria

Helpline & Information Coordinator