methotrexate via injection

[Shaza123]

we’ll finally saw a rheumatologist to be told I have PMR and Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis. I’m currently on 13 mg of pred and have now been given methotrexate tablets I take 6 every Thursday. A nurse is coming to show me how to inject myself instead of me having it via tablet. I was just wondering if anyone has it this way .

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Many - have a look at FAQs- and in particular MrsNails story with MTX

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[MrsNails]

HI DL has pointed you in the direction of my Experience & l much prefer the Metoject than the tablets - they are so fiddly as they are so small & l’m on 25mg MTX so that was10 tablets!

It also means you will absorb the full dose & avoid any gastric side effects ie Nausea.

Good Luck 🍀

MrsN

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to MrsNails]

TY...

[Shaza123 in reply to MrsNails]

thank you for your reply 👍

[Shaza123]

thank you for your reply👍

[DottieCat]

Hi Shaza123, I moved from the mtx tablets to injections after 2 weeks as I had awful stomach pains. Hopefully you'll get used to doing the injections quite quickly. They are quite straightforward to do as in a pen form. Like you, I also have other diseases, so if my hands are flared up I can find getting the lid off the injection pen a bit fiddly but still able to do it.

My biggest advice is to use a different place to inject each time - I rotate from left thigh, right side tummy, then right thigh, left side tummy. And don't go close to tummy button. I also put a plaster on the injection site but it's prob not necessary.

It makes you bit more prone to infections, especially combined with pred, but is ok. I feel a bit rough for 24 hours starting 8-10 hours after my injection, but play around with timings of injection to make sure I sleep through a chunk of that.

Good luck, perseverance is key with this drug. It'll be harder at first but once used to it and it starts helping, you'll manage loads better.

[Shaza123 in reply to DottieCat]

thank you for your reply ,let’s hope it works 👍

[Sainsburys123]

the methotrexate I only took in tablet form but it never worked for me. But now I inject myself with RoActamara and am now down to 9 mg which is good because the last few years when I get down to 10 mg I have severe flare ups and end up in hospital. Thank god this new drug is working I’ve been on steroids since 2017

[Miacaro45]

I took Methotrexate by injection. I took it because I was told it would not bother my digestion nor become nauseous. I was quite fearful of giving myself an injection which turned out to be the easy part. I had so many other side effects that I could not tolerate it. I hope it works for you. The best to you.

[Shaza123 in reply to Miacaro45]

thank you for your reply, fingers crossed 👍

[WaltzG]

Hi I take it in tablet form. It can have quite bad side affects initially but they do wear off ......Good luck

[Travs]

I started on oral but changed to sub cut injection a year ago. I dont get much nausea now and Im down to 5mg pred. Its a bit of a pain having my bloods done every 3 months but that would be the case for oral as well so no difference.

On balance I'm happy with the MTX, seems to be working for me.

[Shaza123 in reply to Travs]

thanks Travis hope I get the same result🙏

[IdasMum]

I've changed recently from oral to Metopen. Very happy with it. Was nervous first time but didn't feel a thing. I have had my 5th this morning and hoping that my slight overall improvement in my symptoms is down to the new method.

[Shaza123 in reply to IdasMum]

thank you 👍

[Poshcards]

yes, I inject every wednesday evening, it is so easy, do not get worried about it, once you have done the first one you will be fine xx

[Shaza123 in reply to Poshcards]

thank you 👍

[DrRon]

Hello Shaza123, your story resonates with me. I have been diagnosed for 3.5 yrs w/PMR. On varying amounts of Pred., and resisted MTX for 1 yr, until five mo. ago. By thereafter many Pred paring flares and discouragement, I said yes to MTX, currently 17.5mg tablets wkly, and 4mg Pred, and relatively pain-free for 5 mo. I worry about reducing Pred further, but that's the objective with MTX. We will see. I will follow your progress if you keep posting.

[Shaza123 in reply to DrRon]

thank you for your reply DrRon it’s certainly a difficult journey and not one I thought I’d ever travel but ha ho it’s life