Methotrexate Injection

[Rachmaninov2]

Have just received a phone call telling me that my first injection/instruction is indeed taking place today in half an hour. Feeling apprehensive, any support would be welcome. Thanks.

[Maisie1958]

Hope it went well 😊

[Rachmaninov2 in reply to Maisie1958]

Thank you Maisie it went much better than I expected, considering I was expecting a phone call yesterday giving me a time slot for today and it didn’t happen. I assumed that the injection/instruction wasn’t going to take place either and only found out half an hour before the nurse came. He was here for two hours and was extremely thorough.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Cannot help on injection per se, but good luck...hope it works for you.

@

[Rachmaninov2 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you for your good wishes DorsetLady.

[Sharitone]

I hope you don't have any side effects, and if your hair starts dropping out, tell the prescriber quickly so that you can have more folic acid. Otherwise it'll be a very cold winter! Most of mine went, and it has been very slow in growing back.

I have to ask: are you named for the piano concerto, or are you indeed a second Rachmaninov?😀

[Rachmaninov2 in reply to Sharitone]

To be honest I have more hair than I know what to do with! Sorry to hear you have had problems, we are all so different.

Rachmaninov's concerto No 2 is one of my favourite pieces hence the name, but if only…😄

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Rachmaninov2]

If it does fall out you may not like how it goes! Mine fell out in small clumps! Nrmal hair fall is one thing for thinning it out a bit - that wasn't so helpful!

[Rachmaninov2 in reply to PMRpro]

Yes, I suppose I was thinking of when I get it thinned out at the hairdressers, clumps would be worrying.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Rachmaninov2]

It was small clumps - but maybe half a dozen hairs all together. And multiple clumps ...

[Rachmaninov2 in reply to PMRpro]

Yes, I see what you mean! Just another thing to be aware of.

[Downtime]

I have Mxt injections for rheumatoid arthritis which I am blessed with as well as PMR which I’ve had for 8 months. The injections are simple and pretty painless. I’ve been taking mxt for 8 years first tablets now injections. My hair did thin a bit but then got better again . I hope it helps you .

[Rachmaninov2 in reply to Downtime]

Thank you for your reply and good wishes Downtime. Mine are the Metrojet, do you have those? Having had the first injection yesterday at lunchtime I can say that the pain has lessened. By the evening I had the ‘hangover’ effect, but had a better nights sleep. I hope the injections are helping you to have a reasonable quality of life.

[Downtime]

Yes I have metoject . Very easy to use. As far as my RA goes it’s improved since I’ve been taking the prednisalone for the PMR and I have less pain than I have had for years! Don’t really want to come off it but I am trying to reduce it a bit. The doctor doesn’t seem to worry about it too much as it’s given me a better quality of life

[Rachmaninov2 in reply to Downtime]

You have a very understanding doctor, the best quality of life for their patients should surely be the goal.

[Pixix]

This only just appeared in my thread, hope it went well! Interested, as, so far, I’ve refused methotrexate, but it may be suggested again, I think! Although diagnosed with probability if RA in May, still waiting to see a specialist. But it could be ‘other things’, too!! Glad it helped, S x

[Rachmaninov2 in reply to Pixix]

Thank you, yes it did go well. Unfortunately the pain came back with a vengeance yesterday but not quite so bad today. I had to pick up a blood test form from my GP today so forced myself to go out. It was a lovely day, cold but sunny and it did me good to get out. I feel very tired now so having a peaceful afternoon recuperating from a short walk! I hope you get your appointment with the specialist soon as these things do drag on and the waiting is difficult.

[Pixix in reply to Rachmaninov2]

Well done..it’s a step forward (pun not intended). I had my bloods taken 3 days ago…the nurse said she’d never seen more tests required & she’d be ‘emptying’ my arm! I have my one hour appointment tomorrow late afternoon, then we will see what happens next! We walked a short walk across the forest yesterday, but it was too icy, & would be easy to slip! Thanks, S x

[Rachmaninov2 in reply to Pixix]

Yes it is a step forward , that always gives us a bit of a lift and good that you managed a walk even if it was short. I hope your appointment goes well this afternoon and something positive comes out of it. 🙂

[Rugger]

I have been on MTX (tablets, not injections) for 8 months and haven't lost any hair. I am on 5mg folic acid 6x weekly. All the best.

[Rachmaninov2 in reply to Rugger]

Thank you for your reply Rugger, glad you haven’t lost any hair.

[Myfoe]

I have been giving myself 25mg methotrexate injections for several months they cause far less stomach and intestinal side effects than tablets I am tired and achy and my teeth become super sensitive for a day or two but methotrexate has leveled my pain out I find injections in my stomach area to be the easiest leg injections cause sore stiff muscles for a couple days best of luck

[Rachmaninov2 in reply to Myfoe]

Glad to hear that the injections have helped with the pain Myfoe. I am only taking 7.5mg and the rheumy has said that he may increase but to a maximum of 10mg. I injected into my thigh, haven’t had any extra muscle pain as yet. I forgot to ask the nurse where the best place in the stomach is to inject, I might try there next time. Thank you for your good wishes.

[PMRCanada]

I too was nervous to begin MTX injections (25mg), but have found over the last year to have barely any side effects at all. The biggest problem I’ve encountered is having to stop weekly injections while taking antibiotics or while any chest cold may be brewing. Glad you made it through the first shot with lots of guidance and support.

Remember we are all different regarding how we process medications and resulting impacts. You will know more as time passes and the medication “kicks in” (for me it was around the 2 month mark).

[Rachmaninov2 in reply to PMRCanada]

Thank you for your message of support PMRCanada. Since Tuesday, on the upside, generally the pain has lessened, on the downside I have been feeling dizzy for the last two days and today had an upset stomach. It may have nothing to do with the injection but I did have dizziness when I started the methotrexate tablets. Hopefully this will lessen in time. The nurse did say that the injection could be more effective than the tablets as it doesn’t need to be metabolised. I’m glad you have had minimal side effects. Best wishes to you. 🙂