Methotrexate Side Effects
greenkelly85 posted:
I have been taking Methotrexate for RA for the last month and a half. The side effects are almost unbearable. It really helps with the inflammation, but the gastrointenstinal side effects are quite unpleasant. Every 3rd or 4th day it feels like i'm going to die. Anyone else have the same experience?
222 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Methotrexate Side EffectsI have been taking Methotrexate for RA for the last month and a half. The side effects are almost unbearable. It really helps with the inflammation, but the gastrointenstinal side effects are quite unpleasant. Every 3rd or 4th day it feels like i'm going to die. Anyone else have the same experience?
Hi Fellow RA sufferers,
I am 52years old and I have been suffering with RA since 2006. I have good days and very bad days and have become good at predicting the weather .Currently I am taking Arava, Celebrex and Lokit (for stomach ulcers.) Started with methrotexate 4 tablets ,then progressed to 10tablets every Sat together with folic acid on weekdays. My rheumy stopped the methx because of severe mouth ulcers and put me on Arava.One of the side effects of Arava is high BP - I now have to take pressure tablets.Also noticed that my eyebrows are thinning out and my hair which used to be soft and fairly straight has become coarse and very curly - not nice.
My ankles are no longer attractive and swell excessively. My toes are starting to turn upwards . Very depressing indeed.
Anyway I try to remain positive for my family. Spending time in the garden with all the birds &flowers helps to take my mind off the pain/stiffness.
I am really glad I found this site.Wish u all lots of painfree days
I am 52years old and I have been suffering with RA since 2006. I have good days and very bad days and have become good at predicting the weather .Currently I am taking Arava, Celebrex and Lokit (for stomach ulcers.) Started with methrotexate 4 tablets ,then progressed to 10tablets every Sat together with folic acid on weekdays. My rheumy stopped the methx because of severe mouth ulcers and put me on Arava.One of the side effects of Arava is high BP - I now have to take pressure tablets.Also noticed that my eyebrows are thinning out and my hair which used to be soft and fairly straight has become coarse and very curly - not nice.
My ankles are no longer attractive and swell excessively. My toes are starting to turn upwards . Very depressing indeed.
Anyway I try to remain positive for my family. Spending time in the garden with all the birds &flowers helps to take my mind off the pain/stiffness.
I am really glad I found this site.Wish u all lots of painfree days
Report This| Share this:Methotrexate Side EffectsHi Fellow RA sufferers,<br />I am 52years old and I have been suffering with RA since 2006. I have good days and very bad days and have become good at predicting the weather .Currently I am taking Arava, Celebrex and Lokit (for stomach ulcers.) Started with methrotexate 4 tablets ,then progressed to 10tablets every Sat together with folic acid on weekdays. My rheumy stopped the methx because of severe mouth ulcers and put me on Arava.One of the side effects of Arava is high BP - I now have to take pressure tablets.Also noticed that my eyebrows are thinning out and my hair which used to be soft and fairly straight has become coarse and very curly - not nice.<br />My ankles are no longer attractive and swell excessively. My toes are starting to turn upwards . Very depressing indeed.<br />Anyway I try to remain positive for my family. Spending time in the garden with all the birds &flowers helps to take my mind off the pain/stiffness.<br />I am really glad I found this site.Wish u all lots of painfree days
I started on the methotrexate. It was awful. I stopped taking it. Lost half of my hair! As fa as the celebrex that did not work either. You will get depressed if you keep taking all that junk ! I would say find another doctor. Or ask about taking the shots or remicade.
Report This| Share this:Methotrexate Side EffectsI started on the methotrexate. It was awful. I stopped taking it. Lost half of my hair! As fa as the celebrex that did not work either. You will get depressed if you keep taking all that junk ! I would say find another doctor. Or ask about taking the shots or remicade.
ronira responded:
yes. I am on 6 a week of methoterxate and 2 times daily planqunil and once daily folic acid. I just posted today - having GI problems - the runs, stomach burning indigestion seeking help or recommendations. Thanks.
Report This| Share this:Methotrexate Side Effectsyes. I am on 6 a week of methoterxate and 2 times daily planqunil and once daily folic acid. I just posted today - having GI problems - the runs, stomach burning indigestion seeking help or recommendations. Thanks.
Thanks for your response. I am taking 6 once a week of methrotrexate but yesterday I took only 5 pills.
Are there certain foods to take with it or to avoid, or a time of day. that maybe better.? When should I take the folic acid that day with the palquenil? Is it all to much at once?
I have to take the paquenil twice a day and floc acid daily.
Thanks
Are there certain foods to take with it or to avoid, or a time of day. that maybe better.? When should I take the folic acid that day with the palquenil? Is it all to much at once?
I have to take the paquenil twice a day and floc acid daily.
Thanks
Report This| Share this:Methotrexate Side EffectsThanks for your response. I am taking 6 once a week of methrotrexate but yesterday I took only 5 pills. <br /> Are there certain foods to take with it or to avoid, or a time of day. that maybe better.? When should I take the folic acid that day with the palquenil? Is it all to much at once?<br /> I have to take the paquenil twice a day and floc acid daily.<br /> Thanks
sama2452 responded:
need help for the safe medication of RA?
I was diagnosed 2 months ago and my rheumatologist wrote me a RX for MTX injections (because he said they cause less nausea) also folic acid. But he told me to give myself subcutaneous NOT IM injections.
Report This| Share this:Methotrexate Side EffectsI was diagnosed 2 months ago and my rheumatologist wrote me a RX for MTX injections (because he said they cause less nausea) also folic acid. But he told me to give myself subcutaneous NOT IM injections.
My rheumy put me on Folic Acid right away; 1 mg. per day, with my Methotrexate ( 8 tabs of the generic one per week) and I have not had any adverse side effects...wish this could help for everyone!...
Report This| Share this:Methotrexate Side EffectsMy rheumy put me on Folic Acid right away; 1 mg. per day, with my Methotrexate ( 8 tabs of the generic one per week) and I have not had any adverse side effects...wish this could help for everyone!...
Fanester responded:
I took the pills for years and had such terrible side effects. I switched to taking it by weekly injections my mother gave me. I didn't have any gastro problems that way.
Report This| Share this:Methotrexate Side EffectsI took the pills for years and had such terrible side effects. I switched to taking it by weekly injections my mother gave me. I didn't have any gastro problems that way.
I just did my first MTX injection, I've read all the bad stuff about side effects, warnings, etc and so am sitting here waiting for something to happen:) I am also on Folic Acid. Hoping Im one of the lucky ones with few or no side-effects.
Report This| Share this:Methotrexate Side EffectsI just did my first MTX injection, I've read all the bad stuff about side effects, warnings, etc and so am sitting here waiting for something to happen:) I am also on Folic Acid. Hoping Im one of the lucky ones with few or no side-effects.
I've been on oral methotrexate for over a year, (8 pills once a week) I also take 3 folic acid once a day and mobic once a day and the enbrel shot once a week. Since i added the methotreate I've stopped having flar ups and feel great but I did decided to go off the methotrexate because i enjoy my wine and i know I'm not suppose to drink while taking that drug My doctor warned me that the flar ups would return if I didn't get back on the methotrexate so I'm bach on it. As far as mouth sores go I 've had a few and so I research it and found if you coat a cotton swab with malox and put that on your sore a few times a day it really helps the pain and the sore heals faster.I've had ra since 98 and these new drugs are wonderful, they have given me quality back in my life.
Report This| Share this:Methotrexate Side EffectsI've been on oral methotrexate for over a year, (8 pills once a week) I also take 3 folic acid once a day and mobic once a day and the enbrel shot once a week. Since i added the methotreate I've stopped having flar ups and feel great but I did decided to go off the methotrexate because i enjoy my wine and i know I'm not suppose to drink while taking that drug My doctor warned me that the flar ups would return if I didn't get back on the methotrexate so I'm bach on it. As far as mouth sores go I 've had a few and so I research it and found if you coat a cotton swab with malox and put that on your sore a few times a day it really helps the pain and the sore heals faster.I've had ra since 98 and these new drugs are wonderful, they have given me quality back in my life.
275marty
I took plaquenil years ago when I was first diagnoised with RA that never really helped me I exhausted quite a few drugs with no help from any of them but then enbrel came out and It made me into a new person I've been on that and a daily drug called mobic for year. About a year ago i noticed that I was starting to have flar ups do my Dr added methtrexate(8 pills) once a week and folic acid. I have not had a flar up since and i guess i'm one of the lucky ones because I don't have stomach issues either. I know when you read the list of possible side effects it's very scary but even asprin has some scary possible side effects It's a chance you have to take and to feel better It's well worth it. Good luck.
I took plaquenil years ago when I was first diagnoised with RA that never really helped me I exhausted quite a few drugs with no help from any of them but then enbrel came out and It made me into a new person I've been on that and a daily drug called mobic for year. About a year ago i noticed that I was starting to have flar ups do my Dr added methtrexate(8 pills) once a week and folic acid. I have not had a flar up since and i guess i'm one of the lucky ones because I don't have stomach issues either. I know when you read the list of possible side effects it's very scary but even asprin has some scary possible side effects It's a chance you have to take and to feel better It's well worth it. Good luck.
Report This| Share this:Methotrexate Side Effects275marty<br />I took plaquenil years ago when I was first diagnoised with RA that never really helped me I exhausted quite a few drugs with no help from any of them but then enbrel came out and It made me into a new person I've been on that and a daily drug called mobic for year. About a year ago i noticed that I was starting to have flar ups do my Dr added methtrexate(8 pills) once a week and folic acid. I have not had a flar up since and i guess i'm one of the lucky ones because I don't have stomach issues either. I know when you read the list of possible side effects it's very scary but even asprin has some scary possible side effects It's a chance you have to take and to feel better It's well worth it. Good luck.
blessedlady5 responded:
I've been there and done that! It just hits you out of know where! My Dr. was aware of this problem and switched me to an MTX injection form once a week and that took care of the gastro problem. I was taking the pill form. Hope this helps.
Report This| Share this:Methotrexate Side EffectsI've been there and done that! It just hits you out of know where! My Dr. was aware of this problem and switched me to an MTX injection form once a week and that took care of the gastro problem. I was taking the pill form. Hope this helps.
See if you can start taking the methotrexate injections every week. You don't have the trouble with the GI disturbances as much. It worked for me. You give them to yourself subcucaneously...like an allergy shot.
Sherrie
Sherrie
Report This| Share this:Methotrexate Side EffectsSee if you can start taking the methotrexate injections every week. You don't have the trouble with the GI disturbances as much. It worked for me. You give them to yourself subcucaneously...like an allergy shot.<br /> <br />Sherrie
soaring211 replied to blessedlady5's response:
I am curious about the injectable form. I understand it ameliorates the stomach/GI issues. Do you mean the general feeling of nausea, that seems more systemic, goes away too? I take the oral form and the nausea is often at its worst a day or two after I take my dose. Thank you for any input you have. I have only been on this medicine for 6 weeks.
Report This| Share this:Methotrexate Side EffectsI am curious about the injectable form. I understand it ameliorates the stomach/GI issues. Do you mean the general feeling of nausea, that seems more systemic, goes away too? I take the oral form and the nausea is often at its worst a day or two after I take my dose. Thank you for any input you have. I have only been on this medicine for 6 weeks.
pgrobben responded:
Just started my MTX Thurs... I too am experiencing a LOT of GAS! I was told by my rheumy that it should pass as I become used to the med.
Report This| Share this:Methotrexate Side EffectsJust started my MTX Thurs... I too am experiencing a LOT of GAS! I was told by my rheumy that it should pass as I become used to the med.
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