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bad side effects

Posted , 4 users are following.

trev1986
trev1986

iv been on methotrexate from around december 2016 started off fine but recently started feeling awfull chest pains, headaches blurry vision to the point were i feel anxious and very panicky at times, iv had one from what i can decribe as a panic attack, iv never suffered anything like this before and got to the point i thinking allsorts, untill a friend of mine told me they had to stop taking it because of the same reason, it started with the odd little episode of tight chest etc at work and has now become a daily thing to the point im off work, im a self employed single dad and just cnt carry on like this i took it last on saturday 18th feb and will not be taking anymore against the rheumologist who has told me to keep taking them, i truely feel awfull this is horrid, has anyone else had any bad side effects as im just guessing its this drug as its a very serious drug and i dnt think its explained enough when your started on it, iv learnt more online the last few days than they ever told me about it any feedback would be much appreitiated

1 like, 16 replies

16 Replies

  • carolbrady1
    carolbrady1 trev1986

    Posted

    Hi trev, so sorry to hear you have been having such bad side effects!  I am surprised that the specialist told you to keep taking the medication - what reason did he give for doing so?  Maybe it is time for a second opinion?
    • trev1986
      trev1986 carolbrady1

      Posted

      they have said it cnt be the drug causing it, even though there side effects sheet say all of these things on it, they just dnt seem interested in what im saying, tryed making an app with my doc but there just as crap if im honest and cnt get in to see one for 3 weeks, its just one big joke, as soon as i mentioned that one of my friends had to stop taking it for the same reason and theres cleared up after stopping all they said then was ok maybe stop taking it for a couple weeks, i think the service im getting at the moment is discusting if im honest
    • trev1986
      trev1986 carolbrady1

      Posted

      yes i have been, it really has been awfull, i dnt wish this on anyone, just want to know if any others have experienced similar
    • carolbrady1
      carolbrady1 trev1986

      Posted

      Hi trev, just to say that be careful if you get shortness of breath again - if so stop taking meds and contact hospital asap. 
    • trev1986
      trev1986 carolbrady1

      Posted

      i have stopped taking it now, havnt touched any of the meds since saturday, i have phoned the hospital they just said its not the meds keep taking them, and see my gp, but cnt see him till 3 weeks its a joke, noone seems to wont to no especially as serious as the drug is aswell
    • carolbrady1
      carolbrady1 trev1986

      Posted

      I can't understand it either trev, I find it baffling!  I am not in the same position as you, I am not on methotrexate but my dad was - he got short of breath and didn't know to contact the hospital as the leaflet saying so wasn't provided to him or my mom - unfortunately his heart and lungs were in such a bad state by the time he got hospitalised that the effects were irreversable and it ended up being fatal.  I am NOT saying that this will happen to you as my dad's case was extreme, but I can't keep silent and not warn you.  I hope I have done the right thing.

    • trev1986
      trev1986 carolbrady1

      Posted

      im sorry to here that, i really dnt think this drug is taken as serious at it should be even by the doctors, iv learnt more about it and what it can do on the internet than they ever told me or read in there leaflets, i for one wont be taking it anymore thats for sure, different drugs affect people in different ways but they seem to think its the same for everyone, when i eventually get in to see my doctor ill see what he has to say
  • 1_hand_works
    1_hand_works trev1986

    Posted

    Hey, because you have mentionned a Rheumatologist, I take it you have some inflammatory / autoimmune thing going on? if so, are you taking the folic acid as well? If you aren't , ask for it, as it might help. I have an autoimmune condition and I was taking the MTX in tablet form. I had bad side effects too, but more headaches, vomiting, diarrhoea so eventually they changed me to the injections, so this could be another avenue for you. They say it takes about 3 months for it to start working properly, so if you can bear it, keep trying as some people have really good outcomes with it. The other thing could be you are having a flare up of your condition, so will be worth it just to get your bloods checked out, as you could have an infection or something. I had something similar once , breathing problems and widespread pain and it turned out I had an E Coli infection and nothing to do with the meds at all. Initially I had blood tests every two weeks and then it went to every month, so you must be due one soon. Really sorry that you are having these problems, I hope you get sorted. Sometimes the MTX doesn't work but they can try you on a raft of other stuff, so don't give up just yet, I stuck with it and gave it a year and a bit, but it didn't work for me in the end. Trying something else now

    • trev1986
      trev1986 1_hand_works

      Posted

      Yea im taking it because of arthritis im also on frolic acid and hydro...somthing cnt spell it. It is coming up to the 3 month mark. Iv had very little pain wise just these horrid feelings etc that have slowly got worse and more consistent to the point of every day. Been having blood test every 2 weeks and spent 2 days in hospital last week with all negative results to test so no its nothing like that. I just dnt think it agrees with me. And certainly cnt live like this i would rather the arthritis than this its that bad
    • 1_hand_works
      1_hand_works trev1986

      Posted

      Hydroxychloroquine? Like me then. I only saw Rheumy every 6 months, but the nurse clinic very good. Have you got the fatigue and joint pains as well as arthritis? At least it's not an infection. Go for the injection option if you can then, at least they can't say you haven't tried. Easy to use, don't hurt. They told me that it takes time to get used to the drug in your system, so I carried on for as long as I could, but never got over 20mg tablets. I am now taking azathioprine and it is better than the MTX for me. I still have the arthritis, that isn't going to go away now, the pins and needles in hands and feet are there, but not as bad, joint pain under more control. Good luck mate

  • gail05804
    gail05804 trev1986

    Posted

    Im just back from my gp, i cannot tolerate methotrexate 25mg injection weekly. They are making me ill. She wasn't to pleased . But i hope i have made the right decision.

    • trev1986
      trev1986 gail05804

      Posted

      i took myself off it about 2-3 weeks ago now, and feeling right as rain again, dnt get me wrong my arthristis has come back with a vengence, but i would rather have this pain than to feel like i was, at least i can go to work now, i will never touch that stuff again for as long as i live
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