Injectable Methotrexate - efficacy and constipation

[cwresearch]

Hi everyone, I am new to this forum and this is my first post, so here goes: I was diagnosed with Scleroderma and Raynaud's last autumn and have been on oral methotrexate (17.5g) but having continual flares every 6 weeks or so and needing steroids. In addition, I have had continual constipation, despite a high fibre diet. I saw a lovely Consultant yesterday and she is now changing me to 20g of injectable methotrexate.

I would love to know what experience others have had with the injectable methotrexate format please, notably regarding its effectiveness and any reduction in constipation? Also, any tips on administration of the injection would be welcome.

Thank you for all of your advice and good luck to everyone - have a lovely long Jubilee weekend.

[Who48]

Hi welcome!! I was originally on 20mg tablet form and now been on same mg Injection for about 2yrs but I've never had constipation I'm more the other way, (sorry if tmi) I don't get diahorea but just loose, for few days after, I noticed from changing to injection I don't get awful stomach pain I had with tabs but still feel a bit sick after injections, hope this helps,

[cwresearch in reply to Who48]

Thank you, it does help. How do you find giving yourself the injections? Best wishes

[Who48 in reply to cwresearch]

Hi, at first I was do anxious My injections are the prefilled pen type so just push against thigh and click & hold I was apprehensive at first but now it's all ok, are your like this?

[cwresearch in reply to Who48]

HI and thanks for replying again. I have my training next week so will find out what type they are then. I would prefer the PFS so fingers crossed. Thanks and best wishes

[OldTed60]

Hi - it’s about 7-8 years ago now since I took methotrexate injections. I too switched from pill to injections because I was constantly feeling sick on pills. The injections were greatly better and I lasted on them for a year before the same problems started. Eventually even at a low dose I couldn’t manage and had bowel incontinence on them too. But I would add that my constipation and other digestive issues were actually likely part of the scleroderma not methotrexate because this is how mine presents. They are definitely more effective though than pills and due to bypassing the gut - less is more. I’m on Mycophenolate/ Cellcept now.

[cwresearch in reply to OldTed60]

Thank you - this is making me feel better. How did you manage with the self-injecting? I hope that things have improved for you. Good luck and have a lovely weekend. Thank you! 😀

[OldTed60 in reply to cwresearch]

The injecting part was absolutely fine - better for me than swallowing lots of tablets and the worry that they will get stuck. I had no problems at all with it 😎xx