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Methotrexate

Posted , 6 users are following.

Terrij1234
Terrij1234

I have been taking 15mg of methotrexate for 5 weeks for RA.  I take this on the Wednesday night and every Thursday I feel totally washed out I struggle to get out of bed, feel sick all day and find it very hard to concentrate.  Is this the norm??? Thanks

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • cheria
    cheria Terrij1234

    Posted

    Terri, methotrexate depletes what immune system you have, as it is a cancer type drug, and was very toxic to me, as it is many. It induces all systemic infection, and causes many all over pain, and triggers RA flairs. The literature says if you suffer these side effects, to STOP this drug. My research shows only 30% responds to this drug. Much more RA research needs to be done, as the current treatments are ineffective for many, lowering their immune systems, and triggering systemic infections, fibromyalga, temp lupus, extreme fatigue, severe depletion in magnesium (magnesium glycinate) and depletition in health. Literature all says this drug, and biologics should never be taken when we have any kind of infection, which these drugs induce!!!!!
    • cheria
      cheria

      Posted

      Many do not adjust to this medication and continually worsen in pain and systemic infections. You just have to do what works for you.
  • Dinah54
    Dinah54 Terrij1234

    Posted

    Hi,

    I've been on it for 11 weeks and found that the nausea and brain fog had abated by week 6. So I guess your body adjusts to it after a while...

  • thedawesgang
    thedawesgang Terrij1234

    Posted

    I guess afte some 8 yrs on MTX I am well placed to give advice.Some people will no doubt react differently to this immune suppressant but many dont,and whilst it is a toxic medicine it also keeps inflamation and joint decay at bay.It will take a few months for your body to adapt and unless liver problems occur my opinion is to try it a bit longer unless medically unable to do so.It is a strong med so give it chance
    • cheria
      cheria thedawesgang

      Posted

      Actually studies show that some do not react negatively to methotrexate, but many do...the opposite of what you have written. Each person needs to try this to see if their body and RA disease responds favorably. My RA doctor had suggested giving it 8 to 12 wks. If one is in constant pain with the use of this medication, sustained or increased, joint damage and inflammation is not being helped by this medication, and other infectious conditions are being triggered.
  • Lisa_Batts
    Lisa_Batts Terrij1234

    Posted

    Hey TerriJ

    From my experience everybody has different symptoms, but I get that on day 2. However the good news is that it does get easier. Also if you are just getting those symptoms the next day have you thought about moving the medication to the next morning in the hope that your symptoms happen in the night? If you are n

    • Lisa_Batts
      Lisa_Batts

      Posted

      Whoops swollen fingers hit the send button! If you are not already on folic acid 6 days a week you can ask for that as it helps with the side effects but it has to be prescription not over the counter. You will get many different views of MTX on here. Never stop taking it without the advice of your consultant and personally for me it works very well. Sure it's not an easy medication to be on but I had to come off it for 6 weeks and my pain was awful. So if you can stick with it 😊 it will take a good 12 to 16 weeks to know the full effects and if your side effects subside. I wish you luck

      Lisa 😊😊

  • 1_hand_works
    1_hand_works Terrij1234

    Posted

    Hi

    So sorry to hear you are having problems. I am week 4 of the same and I have very similar problems. I was reassured at two week clinic that I would get used to it. I tried taking the mtx at different times of the day each week to see if it made any difference. But no, it hasn't and finally I gave in and asked for more tablets to sort it out. So I now have the mtx, folic acid every day apart from the day I take mtx and now have cyclizine and omeprazole. The cyclizine is great, takes the nausea right off but makes me so sleepy. But rather sleepy than sickly! Omeprazole has settled my stomach, so less acid retching. Slept through the night for the first time since December last night. I know some people have no problems with mtx and I am really jealous of them. My system is struggling too much, so I have resorted to more pills. There are probably more side effects of taking these and I am on enough tablets already, but I have struggled for 4 weeks and just couldn't take any more. Hope this helps. Good luck

  • mrsmop
    mrsmop Terrij1234

    Posted

    Hi Terri,  I took MTX for 18 months but had to stop.  It was great from the point of view of suppressing my disease and the drug that I am now taking does nothing so far, however, have you spoken to your Consultant about your dose?  He might suggest halving it for a few weeks, to see how you get on, you might find that that stops the main side effects that you are suffering from.

    Your Consultant might also suggest taking it on a Friday evening, so that you feel the worst at the w/e and are then able to function during the week.

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