Can methotrexate cause muscle pain

[Rachyroo74]

I’ve been taking methotrexate 10mg once a week for 5 months now but the last 2 months my muscles all over my body have been so painful feel like I have flu even lifting arms up in shower is a task so stiff and painful , worst pain is right side of neck and left groin, I’ve got no energy constant headache my doctor thinks it could be methotrexate causing it and recommends I go back to my consultant at the hospital to ask for a different medication? Anyone know if methotrexate causes these symptoms

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Have a look at FAQs - healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

Plenty of posts in MTX- just scroll down

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I hurt worse with MTX than I did with untreated PMR! It can cause joint and muscle pain - and so can pred. One of the effects of MTX can be to increase pred adverse effects.

[piglette]

Have you been reducing your steroids too fast or are you on a lower than is comfortable do you think?

[Sharitone]

On the PIL it lists pain in joints or muscles as an uncommon side effect of MTX. Headache, dizziness, unusual fatigue and drowsiness are listed as common. Mind you, just about every possible side effect is mentioned on that thing - it is about four feet long!

[MrsNails]

As piglette asks - how quickly have you reduced your Pred - what dose were you on & now?

[Frewen1]

Am on same dose MTX, currently 8 mg Pred, and am beginning to get pains in what feels like bones, as opposed to muscles. Saw Rheumy yesterday, by chance, and she said this was normal and would wear off eventually. ?

Incidentally, she told me that 90 plus % of their GCA patients are steroid free after 18-months to 2 years ( I questioned this). She assured me. Not the average experience of correspondents here, though?!

[Rachyroo74]

I don’t take pred only methotrexate once a week and folic acid 2 days. Was given this medication as I had very itchy skin night sweats and sores all over my body initially consultant thought it was a hidden cancer somewhere perhaps lymphoma but cudnt find it I tried all sorts of meds including steroids and cyclosporin nothing worked til the methotrexate but not I’ve got itchy skin again and sores coming back as well as the muscle pain etc

[Darkchocolate1]

I have the exact symptoms that you listed. Extreme fatigue, feel like I have the flu, trouble sleeping and more pain than I had before adding MTX to the prednisone. I am taking 10 mg MTX and now down to 11 mg prednisone. I can’t tell that MTX is helping with taper. I plan to ask my rheumatologist to stop MTX but I want to give it a fair trial first. Have read it doesn’t start helping until two months of taking which is where I am now. I hope things get better for you and all of us who suffer.