Folate deficiency

[KathleenMary]

I recently started methotrexate and now after my first blood test it has been found I'm very low on folate so will need daily folic acid.

Also caught a nasty cold and so am really struggling ... No energy...and now have to stop methotrexate until the cold goes.. not the best start to my new medication

[Sosie]

When I started methotrexate I got shingles almost immediately and had to stop again. A lot of us on methotrexate take folic acid six days a week but not on methotrexate day. Folic acid actually really eases the side effects from the Mtx so is well worth taking. The side effects have really settled down for me, apart from fatigue, & my joint pain really improved after about 10-12 weeks on Mtx.

[KathleenMary in reply to Sosie]

Thanks Sosie,very reassuring.guesd I've just got to hang in there.

[Suki23]

I was the same, take folic acid 6 days and it does seem to help. My bloods took a while to settle down and was a bit stop start with taking MTX but now am on a regular dose and bloods only once a month now

[KathleenMary in reply to Suki23]

Thanks Suki23 I will plod on

[SBQ1971]

I support what Sosie and Suki have said. I have been on MTX for 20 years now taking Folic Acid as a supplement . Only a low dose now with blood tests every 2 months, but it keeps my joint pain at bay and bloods regularly normal theses days. Takes about 12 weeks to really kick in and bloods can be a bit irregular at times, but it was worth it for me, becomes part of routine. Keep hanging on in there.

[Oscar_20]

I've been taking Methotrexate for 18 months and was given 10mgs of folic acid to take once a week. This has worked for me. You should definitely take a folic acid supplement. Hope you feel better soon.