Methotrexate injections - painful?
Posted , 3 users are following.
Grateful to have found this blog site. I have been on oral Methotrexate for years (decades).. after a year of painful arthritic flares in my wrists, cortisone injections etc., my Rheumatologist suggests switch to the injections and a higher dose. I've been on Cosentyx for about a year as well, after Humira quit working after maybe 5 years, and after Enbrel quit working after perhaps 7 years. I'm also on folic acid, and haven't had any serious side effects of the Methotrexate, thankfully. Now that I'm starting the injections next week, am wondering A) if anyone's had problems with injection site irritation, or B) whether the injection stings when given (The Humira did, but now the Cosentyx does not). And finally, I just noticed it says do not consume alcohol... I tend to socially drink some on weekends, but not to excess. Thoughts? Thanks!
0 likes, 5 replies
galib10636 patricia87979
Posted
My mom has PSA. So i don't know whether it would be applicable for you. she had used the highest dose of Methotrexate. if you can push the injection accordingly, you wont have pain and there will be no irritation on the site. And please stay away from alcohol. and in RA and PSA, every specialist rheomatologist suggest not to take alcohol.
N.B.- Always check electrolytes while giving this. If there is any unusual changes, talk with the specialist.
patricia87979 galib10636
Posted
Thank you for your helpful response. I have PsA as well (diagnosed many years ago).
galib10636 patricia87979
Posted
Stay healthy always and stay safe. May you live long
victoria88249 patricia87979
Posted
Your history sounds scarily similar to mine! I tried and failed on or Methotrexate, I was then automatically switched to injections which I still struggled with. After being on countless oral medications I was put on Humira which worked wonderfully for about five years but then stopped working. Enbrel did nothing for me, then tried Infliximab which has to be administered at the hospital,. Thank God it was as I had an extreme reaction and went into anaphylactic shock! No more Infliximab for me 😃 currently on Consentyx but I find that it only works and is mildly effective for two weeks so they've now introduced me back onto as well as they've run out of other injectable options. I refused to have it orally (past experience) so the Methotrexate subcutaneously is a last resort whilst we wait for alternative options. The small blessing is that I'm not reacting badly to the injections now they just don't seem to be doing a great deal but I guess I just have to give it time. In answer to your question I reacted on the second injection at the injection site it looked a little bit like sunburn and made my skin peel on about the area size of a 50p piece but since then I have had no other adverse side-effects other than hitting the occasional vein and bleeding a little bit. Top tip is to leave your injection out of the fridge for a few minutes before injecting as it is less painful then, I also found that with Humira. I drink occasionally on special occasions and going out out! And haven’t had any problems or any negative results in my blood tests but I'm still cautious. Hope that helps 😃
patricia87979
Posted
thanks for your reply. My Methotrexate injectable says to keep it at room temp, not in refrig. The Cosentyx IS refrigerated and I do let it sit out at room temp for about 30 mins or so before injecting that. I'm hoping the combination of the higher dose of methotrexate in injectable form along with the Cosentyx will do the trick. If not, my Dr. and I will be waiting for something new as well.