Do side effects to methotrexate change over time? - PMRGCAuk

PMRGCAuk

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Do side effects to methotrexate change over time?

Susan1705 profile image
13 Replies

Just started taking methotrexate today 15mg, feel tired and a bit more achy in shoulders than normal. Do the side effects just continue or do you become more tolerant to the medication over time?

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Susan1705 profile image
Susan1705
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13 Replies
MrsNails profile image
MrsNails

Hi SusanYes most definitely, you ‘get used to’ the effects of the MTX & for me when l started or restarted MTX there’s a definite ‘Kick In’ when you know it’s becoming more effective.

It’s always a good idea to keep the following day free so if you feel tired you can just chill, l hardly notice any side effects now but please drink plenty of water to flush the toxins out of your system.

I’ve written a few posts which you’ll find in FAQ under Methotrexate.

Kind Regards

MrsN

Susan1705 profile image
Susan1705 in reply toMrsNails

Thank you that is useful to know

MrsNails profile image
MrsNails in reply toSusan1705

I’ve taken MTX for a long time so if you have any questions please ask.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador

My experience was that the effects that started in the first week got worse until the 4th week when I said no more - I couldn't function for the fatigue and just felt awful. Maybe it would have improved but I couldn't take the risk of not being able to do anything, But with most drugs, the adverse effects usually improve as your body gets used to it.

Susan1705 profile image
Susan1705 in reply toPMRpro

Thank you, will give it a go for a few weeks and see how I go.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toSusan1705

I think it is something you have to try and see how you get on. I felt worse than I ever have on pred and I really wasn't prepared to feel that bad for months when I have never had problems with pred.

Coffeebeans profile image
Coffeebeans

The tiredness for me continued and I ended up stopping it after 9 weeks.

Many others find it ok so only time will tell. I would certainly factor in a quiet day after you take it if possible.

Susan1705 profile image
Susan1705 in reply toCoffeebeans

Thank you, luckily I am now off from college for 7 weeks and see my rheumatologist end of August to review meds.

Nagswoman profile image
Nagswoman

After 3 years of sort of being OK, I started getting nauseous. Got sick of 4 days of nausea after taking 20mg MTX. Had to take folic acid for 3 days. No improvement.Dose got reduced to 10mg. No improvement. Chose to stop. GGT then gradually dropped from 80 to neae normal 45 over the past 2 years. Evil drug. Can't have Tocilizumab, no idea why. Other things were suggested.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toNagswoman

TCZ - possibly they are concerned about the liver reaction - it does the same sort of thing

Blackcat1M profile image
Blackcat1M

Hi Susan this is my third attempt at trying to reply to you,my iPad is playing upI have been on mtx for a few years now,started at 5mg and now I take 20mg.

I had bruising as my side effect when I first started it was not too bad,and now I don't have it.

I know other people on this forum who take it and I am sure they will reply to you, all I can say is try it,and if you are not happy about it speak to your doctor.

Saintmalo profile image
Saintmalo

Hi Susan, I have been on MTX for 7 years now and I honestly don’t have a “normal ‘

Some times the reaction is actually soothing but in my case I can have quite a violent reaction within 10 minutes of taking it l always have something small to eat with it. I take it at 21.00 and I am always safely in bed by 22.00 Sometimes I sleep soundly and others not at all It’s really a case of what works for you I am slow the next morning but able to function normally - as normally as I ever do function!! Do whatever makes you feel comfortable

Bcol profile image
Bcol in reply toSaintmalo

Just wondered if you realised this post was three years old.

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