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?
KittenKandy20 replied to Marisal2229's response:
I'm on Enbrel for 5 weeks and I feel worse than I did before taking it. I'm also on 10mg of Pred and I will start MTX injections this week. I'm hoping for relief. Is your Dr. recommending anything else, I'm at a loss with all of the medications. 
Report This| Share this:Methotrexate Side EffectsI'm on Enbrel for 5 weeks and I feel worse than I did before taking it. I'm also on 10mg of Pred and I will start MTX injections this week. I'm hoping for relief. Is your Dr. recommending anything else, I'm at a loss with all of the medications. <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/frown.gif" align="top" border="0">
ladybuges replied to coldhammer's response:
I'm on metotrextate it took my hair out to and give me gas and I'm still hurting. May be because I'm work 12 hour ask a CNA pull up my pt in bed I want to stop working but my doc want let me it is so hard on me come to work I,m working 12 days out of a month 12 hour.And I,m swolling so bad.If I come out of work can I get ssi
Report This| Share this:Methotrexate Side EffectsI'm on metotrextate it took my hair out to and give me gas and I'm still hurting. May be because I'm work 12 hour ask a CNA pull up my pt in bed I want to stop working but my doc want let me it is so hard on me come to work I,m working 12 days out of a month 12 hour.And I,m swolling so bad.If I come out of work can I get ssi
anna100 responded:
Try self injection shots. I take a 6mg shot once a week. I cannot tolorate the tablets. Too hard on my stomach.
Report This| Share this:Methotrexate Side EffectsTry self injection shots. I take a 6mg shot once a week. I cannot tolorate the tablets. Too hard on my stomach.
noelmelton replied to GrandmaJr's response:
I too am being treated by a cardiologist. One of the arteries to the front of my heart is too small. No plaque, just too small. I only feel mild nausea the second day after methotrexate and I am on the full dosage of 8 pills once per week,
How is your fatigue affecting you? Does anyone else have "long bone pain"? I mean like the thigh bones. Also, my lower back is getting worse and worse.
I am also on Humira
How is your fatigue affecting you? Does anyone else have "long bone pain"? I mean like the thigh bones. Also, my lower back is getting worse and worse.
I am also on Humira
Report This| Share this:Methotrexate Side EffectsI too am being treated by a cardiologist. One of the arteries to the front of my heart is too small. No plaque, just too small. I only feel mild nausea the second day after methotrexate and I am on the full dosage of 8 pills once per week, <br /> <br />How is your fatigue affecting you? Does anyone else have "long bone pain"? I mean like the thigh bones. Also, my lower back is getting worse and worse. <br /> <br />I am also on Humira
BC2106 responded:
Hi everyone, really awesome to see so much discussion...
I am 22 years old and got diagnosed just after I turned 16, didn't know what it was until I turned 18... am on sulfazalazine, plaquenil, and trying to wean myself off 7 mg of prednisone.
I've decided to give methotrexate a try and was wondering, after really scouring the internet, how did you guys see your weight change if at all with mtx?
If you google methotrexate and weight, it actually comes up with weight gain?
here's the link if you'd like to check it out
please help!
http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/53/7692/comments
I am 22 years old and got diagnosed just after I turned 16, didn't know what it was until I turned 18... am on sulfazalazine, plaquenil, and trying to wean myself off 7 mg of prednisone.
I've decided to give methotrexate a try and was wondering, after really scouring the internet, how did you guys see your weight change if at all with mtx?
If you google methotrexate and weight, it actually comes up with weight gain?
here's the link if you'd like to check it out
please help!
http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/53/7692/comments
Report This| Share this:Methotrexate Side EffectsHi everyone, really awesome to see so much discussion...<br /><br />I am 22 years old and got diagnosed just after I turned 16, didn't know what it was until I turned 18... am on sulfazalazine, plaquenil, and trying to wean myself off 7 mg of prednisone. <br /><br />I've decided to give methotrexate a try and was wondering, after really scouring the internet, how did you guys see your weight change if at all with mtx?<br /><br />If you google methotrexate and weight, it actually comes up with weight gain?<br />here's the link if you'd like to check it out<br /><br />please help! <br /><a href="http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/53/7692/comments">http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/53/7692/comments</a>
stillstrong1 responded:
suggestion increase laxative intake. It's ok ask any DR. Probably contipation even if you are still moving bowels still could be clogged. Remember there are 3 intestines stomach, large intestine and small intestine so give it a try and good luck Worked for me.
Report This| Share this:Methotrexate Side Effectssuggestion increase laxative intake. It's ok ask any DR. Probably contipation even if you are still moving bowels still could be clogged. Remember there are 3 intestines stomach, large intestine and small intestine so give it a try and good luck Worked for me.
DIYSTER replied to stillstrong1's response:
As an alternative to laxatives, I have found that V-8's V-fusion fruit & vegie juices are not only awesome for my digestive tract but taste fantastic! My fave is Passionfruit-Tangerine.
Report This| Share this:Methotrexate Side EffectsAs an alternative to laxatives, I have found that V-8's V-fusion fruit & vegie juices are not only awesome for my digestive tract but taste fantastic! My fave is Passionfruit-Tangerine.
Hi, The sweats are just part of taking methotrexate. I have been on it for five years now and I have periods where I get major sweats, but then they go away for several months then here they are again. I also get that flushing, for some time now I can help but wonder about Lupus. But my RA doctor has tested me twice now and comes back of. Never had gum problems until recently, this is not fun either. Have you ever had a full blown out flare? Methotrexate helps keep them under control. So just give it time to start working it doesn't happen over night. Start working with your RA doctor and sooner or later you will both find what works best for you. Every person is just a little different then the next RA patient.
Report This| Share this:Methotrexate Side EffectsHi, The sweats are just part of taking methotrexate. I have been on it for five years now and I have periods where I get major sweats, but then they go away for several months then here they are again. I also get that flushing, for some time now I can help but wonder about Lupus. But my RA doctor has tested me twice now and comes back of. Never had gum problems until recently, this is not fun either. Have you ever had a full blown out flare? Methotrexate helps keep them under control. So just give it time to start working it doesn't happen over night. Start working with your RA doctor and sooner or later you will both find what works best for you. Every person is just a little different then the next RA patient.
I have been newly diagnosed with RA, since May 2010. I started on Metho and it seemed to calm the inflammation down. After a month Enbrel injections started and after 4 injections, I started getting really sick with coughing and fever. I was diagnosed last week with walking pneumonia. I see my doctor in about 3 weeks. Of course I stopped the injections but am still taking metho. This is really scary since the meds weaken your immune system. How do you know what to take? I am 62. Ever heard of anyone getting RA this old.
Report This| Share this:Methotrexate Side EffectsI have been newly diagnosed with RA, since May 2010. I started on Metho and it seemed to calm the inflammation down. After a month Enbrel injections started and after 4 injections, I started getting really sick with coughing and fever. I was diagnosed last week with walking pneumonia. I see my doctor in about 3 weeks. Of course I stopped the injections but am still taking metho. This is really scary since the meds weaken your immune system. How do you know what to take? I am 62. Ever heard of anyone getting RA this old.
RosemarieMadeline replied to naomimax's response:
Please know that Methotrexate can cause BOOP.
The dr. thought I had pneumonia too and gave me antibiotics and an inhaler. They did nothing. Finally had to have a bronchoscopy to dx. BOOP.
Was on Prednisone for a few months to get rid of it. Please keep an eye on a dry, non-productive cough.
This was 5 years ago and I am fine, but could never take Methotrexate ever again.
The dr. thought I had pneumonia too and gave me antibiotics and an inhaler. They did nothing. Finally had to have a bronchoscopy to dx. BOOP.
Was on Prednisone for a few months to get rid of it. Please keep an eye on a dry, non-productive cough.
This was 5 years ago and I am fine, but could never take Methotrexate ever again.
Report This| Share this:Methotrexate Side EffectsPlease know that Methotrexate can cause BOOP. <br />The dr. thought I had pneumonia too and gave me antibiotics and an inhaler. They did nothing. Finally had to have a bronchoscopy to dx. BOOP. <br /> <br />Was on Prednisone for a few months to get rid of it. Please keep an eye on a dry, non-productive cough. <br /> <br />This was 5 years ago and I am fine, but could never take Methotrexate ever again.
I also just started taking methotrexate, my doc put me 2mg, 6 pills taken once a week. I just found that they think I have RA. The weird thing is that my blood work came back normal. My bones are weak and my joints have always been bad because I was a major athlete growing up and was really hard on them, but no real proof of RA. Ok, so I'm pretty stiff in the mornings, I'm always in pain. I can't work as a cop anymore which really kills me, now I work as a cashier at a local grocery store which puts me in constant pain. My rheumatologist doesn't seem to listen to me at all, but I'm stuck with her, being in a small town and all. I'm just not even sure if its really RA. I've even been on fibro meds for over a year, and still nothing, I'm just in constant pain. I don't know what to do anymore. The metho is making my hair fall out a little more than usual, and a little stomach upset, but I always had that anyways. My gums are bleeding a little more than usual too, and I seem to want to sleep all the time, but that about it. I just feel like I need help with people that understand, my friends and family here definately don't.
Report This| Share this:Methotrexate Side EffectsI also just started taking methotrexate, my doc put me 2mg, 6 pills taken once a week. I just found that they think I have RA. The weird thing is that my blood work came back normal. My bones are weak and my joints have always been bad because I was a major athlete growing up and was really hard on them, but no real proof of RA. Ok, so I'm pretty stiff in the mornings, I'm always in pain. I can't work as a cop anymore which really kills me, now I work as a cashier at a local grocery store which puts me in constant pain. My rheumatologist doesn't seem to listen to me at all, but I'm stuck with her, being in a small town and all. I'm just not even sure if its really RA. I've even been on fibro meds for over a year, and still nothing, I'm just in constant pain. I don't know what to do anymore. The metho is making my hair fall out a little more than usual, and a little stomach upset, but I always had that anyways. My gums are bleeding a little more than usual too, and I seem to want to sleep all the time, but that about it. I just feel like I need help with people that understand, my friends and family here definately don't.
Bobbie44444; replied to fairycop's response:
I totally understand the constant pain thing. I was just diagnosed with RA in March and I am on 8 meth pills every Sunday plus I get a shot of Humira every two weeks. The only thing that has really stopped the pain (worked like a miracle!) was taking 4 prednisone a day, but of course, I couldn't stay on that for very long. You definitely should take Folic Acid every day to help with the side affects of the metho. I take 1mg every day although after reading this website I'm thinking of increasing that to two per day.
Report This| Share this:Methotrexate Side EffectsI totally understand the constant pain thing. I was just diagnosed with RA in March and I am on 8 meth pills every Sunday plus I get a shot of Humira every two weeks. The only thing that has really stopped the pain (worked like a miracle!) was taking 4 prednisone a day, but of course, I couldn't stay on that for very long. You definitely should take Folic Acid every day to help with the side affects of the metho. I take 1mg every day although after reading this website I'm thinking of increasing that to two per day.
BONNIECHRYST replied to valady55's response:
You sound like someone I could talk to and hopefully you do the same with me. This RA is a battle and one we cannot win. I am affraid to start taking Methotrexate; what do you take? The pain is like no other even natural childbirth. I have lost the strength in my hands and can barely walk. Please lets talk. I wish I could find a support group but no luck so far. I talk to God alot and pray. Hope to hear from you soon and I hope this finds you having a good day. Bonnie BONNIECHRYST@aol.com
Report This| Share this:Methotrexate Side EffectsYou sound like someone I could talk to and hopefully you do the same with me. This RA is a battle and one we cannot win. I am affraid to start taking Methotrexate; what do you take? The pain is like no other even natural childbirth. I have lost the strength in my hands and can barely walk. Please lets talk. I wish I could find a support group but no luck so far. I talk to God alot and pray. Hope to hear from you soon and I hope this finds you having a good day. Bonnie <a rel="nofollow" href="mailto:BONNIECHRYST@aol.com">BONNIECHRYST@aol.com</a>
BONNIECHRYST replied to Re214's response:
What can I expect from the injections? I am so afraid to do this. Please help.
Report This| Share this:Methotrexate Side EffectsWhat can I expect from the injections? I am so afraid to do this. Please help.
BONNIECHRYST replied to anna100's response:
Whats it like to take the shots? Please help.
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