Methotrexate

[Dawnanna]

Just taken my first dose of methotrexate today (15mg) and feeling washed out - anyone know if is the norm or experienced similiar. The only other thing I think it might be is linked to the increase in pred from 10mg to 15mg and the stopping of the hydroxychloroquine. Confused not knowing which med it could be linked to.

[Ziggy]

I think we all are affect differently and I've just done a change over back to Methotrexate (MTEX8) and I was shattered so you could be right, as my dose is 25mg, with no steroids due to my weight. I think just take it easy and seems to be better if you have a knap in the afternoon and may feel better. Something I had when first on it and now it interrupts my sleeping I think? and am up by 4:00? like an alarm clock - so if you suffer the same this could be due to been up so early - who' knows when on this concoction

[Porky]

I take MTX 25mg and I do find that I feel very tired about 8-12 hours after the injection the nausea I control with Ondansetron, I also don't sleep well the first night. The effects were far worse when I was taking it as tablets. I also take Plaquenil and don't seem to have any noticeable effects from that. Take a whole load of other stuff but MTx is the worst for side effects.

There's no point fighting the effects, I try and have a walk in thhe fresh air and then rest in the afternoon, I also take it on a Friday am so I can work in the morning and have the weekend to recover, it works for me but we're all different. Make sure you take the folic acid as this counters the other side effects.

[johnyenglish]

I only take 10mg and still feel the adverse effects the next day, nothing major just tired. I've started taking in on a Sunday afternoon so that by Monday evening/Tuesday morning I'm back to normal.

[Nadine99]

My husband (WG) had his first Methotrexate tablet on Monday - 10mg - and he's had really bad diarhhoea all week. Feeling fatigued as usual. Doctor now reduced dose to 2.5mg for 2nd week then build up to more. The only positive note is that he's lost a few pounds!! So we're back to the fact that, yes, it effects everyone differently. Strange decease.

[Nadine99]

Damn, Strange Disease I mean

[Maureen10]

I take 25mgs weekly (Monday) and have done so for a number of years plus still on Pred (lose dose 5mgs daily) and feel good. However since being diagnosed in 2003 I have put things in place that help me manage it such as diet and exercise which I think has helped to make a difference.

[Murfdom]

Hi Dawn

Felt exactly the same as you when I first took MTX in tablet form. Wasted for a few days. The first week, I had chronic constipation - I didn't listen when my consultant said for mr to try and drink at least 3 litres of water per day! You will feel like this for a few weeks but it does improve with the effects much shorter in duration. I tend to get the 'hit' the next day. Now I take the Metoject injection ( found it much better than tablet form) first thing on Saturday and I'm ready to go on Monday. Remember to take your folic acid 48 hours after your MTX - I am told this is optimal.

I exercise when I can but mostly low key walking and cycling - if I push harder I get punished big time - not good.

Sleep is affected and that 3 or 4 am wake up I just have to live with. I don't know if its the MTX (25mg) or the pred or what. I just know it happens.

Still on the fortnighly blood tests to see how this is bedding in ( being weaned off Pred which is now on 7.5mg/day).

I would change to injecting, stat.

Like us all, at the end of the day, we just have to get on with it. I have found it has made an awful lot of difference having this support group - empowering!

[Dawnanna]

Thank you for all your comments its helped no end. Diarheoa has subsided thankfully. Went very cold last night but did sleep despite the aches in the thigh and upper arms muscles (this I'm putting down to the increase in pred). Have taken it easy today and made sure I've eaten properly. I was told to take the folic acid four days after taking the methotrexate so due to take it on Tuesday. Have another dose at 15mg to take this Friday then it increases to 20mg for two weeks and then 25mg. Blood tests have been booked in so guess its another round of appts again.

I know I'm very lucky in that my vasc. seems to be very much hyper sensitive/sle and not affect my major organs. I am so grateful that others are happy to share their experiences as unless you have the illness you don't understand how we really feel and no one can see fatigue!!

Heres hoping for sunshine and a nice summer for us all xx

[Porky]

just a quick word on the sunshine, MTX makes you very sensitive to the sun so be sure if you are out in it you wear high factor sun screen, I get mine on prescription from the GP. Enjoy the sun none the less.

[hamble99b Volunteer]

I find mtx wipes me out too. I'm on 12.5 weekly. I now take 7.5 on saturday and 5 on sunday. Folic acid is to be taken on tues, wed and thursday.

regards,

sandra