1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Methotrexate

methotrexate toxicity fatality

Posted , 23 users are following.

kristy7
kristy7

Dear Methotrexate Gang,

Hi - I'm writing this post because my father has passed away from methotrexate toxicity in February. This cause of death has been officially confirmed. I'm in a state of shock and I really don't believe that the general public understand the severity or danger of this drug.

As I've read here many MTX patients have been on this drug for months if not years. My Dad was on this drug for only five days.

Here is some advice for everyone on this drug:

> Please everyone always ask for a consumer information pamphlet and be aware of the side effects.

> Even if you feel fine don't ignore any side effects

> Hospitals don't check for MTX levels in the blood - if you find yourself in Hospital ask them to test the levels.

> Be aware of leucovorin therapy ; known as 'rescue therapy' (this is administered if you have suspected MXT poisoning)

> Always follow the directions from a rhumatoid arthritist specialist or dermatologist or oncologist - not a general practitioner

 

3 likes, 65 replies

65 Replies

Prev Next
  • kristy7
    kristy7

    Posted

    Thanks Cheria - will do; at the moment I feel so responsible because my sister and I usually handled Dad's daily medications. This was only for five days and was the only time that we didnt handle Dad's meds...

    The pharmacist actually rang the doctor to check the script because she thought it was incorrect too...

    Thanks for  your support - much appreciated smile

    • cheria
      cheria kristy7

      Posted

      Wow something doesnt sound right about this..knowing this medication causes liver failure or liver toxemia, and prescribing it to someone who has liver disease? This sounds frightening as in a frightening movee. Alot of unanswered questions and horrible.
    • cheria
      cheria kristy7

      Posted

      And in addition being prescribed/given in death inducing doses. Investigation needs to be opened.
  • kristy7
    kristy7

    Posted

    Hi everyone,

    Thanks for everyone's replies. Dad had kidney disease not liver disease but it is very concerning re the dosage. Dad was able to administer the medication himself and completely fine to do so; my sister and I and Dad were aware of the medication regime and there was no reason to think at the time that the Doctor had written a script that was questionable....

    We had no reason to think that this script was potentially dangerous because Dad had been going to this doctor for ten years or so...

    • cheria
      cheria kristy7

      Posted

      Im just wondering why other medications were given to your father by family members but all of a sudden, stopped by you, and then dying at his own hands due to the prescription? Still a serious investigation needs to happen.
  • kristy7
    kristy7

    Posted

    Dear Cheria,

    re: Im just wondering why other medications were given to your father by family members but all of a sudden, stopped by you, and then dying at his own hands due to the prescription? Still a serious investigation needs to happen

    RESPONSE:

    Hi Cheria, thanks for your reply. I think you've got a little confused. My father was more than capable of administering his own tablets. I didn't stop him; he was an extremely intelligent man. When I say I assisted in his medication regime all I meant was that we liked to fuss over him.

    *Dad went to the Doctors and I attended with him

    *Dad received all his usual scripts as he had done for many years

    *Told Dr. of psoriasis and MXT was prescribed for him as a result

    *Left to go to the chemist to pick up script

    *Dad followed directions on prescription (2x 2.5mg per day for 5 days) and never 'died at his own hands' he just followed the directions as everyone does

    * I never ceased or stopped any medications that Dad took and this was just 'another prescription'; Dr. never said anything about this drug being dangerous.

    *How was Dad or anyone to know of the dangers if not told; obviously you rely on your doctor for the right advice; which is what we did.

    * Going to this Dr for ten years

    *Yes, I agree there should be an investigation. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

    • cheria
      cheria kristy7

      Posted

      Thank you for explaining.. I hope you follow through..although you will not have your father back, at least he would know you fought for him and wanted to make sure another loved one is taken from our earth due to extreme neglegence. A lawsuit is very much in order but you would need to make that decision.
  • Lisa_Batts
    Lisa_Batts kristy7

    Posted

    Dear dear Kristy,

    I would just like to point out that this is a support group and that is what I would like to do for you. In no way whatsoever is this the fault of anybody within your family and trusting a doctor is what we do. It was not explained to me either that MTX can be a very dangerous drug or the side effects.

    My heart goes out to you and you do not need to be justifying your actions at such a terrible time for you. Your bravery in posting this is to be admired to warn other people. The error lies solely with whoever prescribed the wrong dosage. It is awful that this happened and whether you want an investigation or not is your choice and is also a decision you don't have to make right now. You are grieving and quite rightly so and I am sending you love and strength to get through that. Lisa xxx

  • e30731
    e30731 kristy7

    Posted

    I'm sooooo sorry I just lost my mom to sensitivity to methotrexate 4 months ago. I finally relieved the autopsy and to find it was misdiagnosed. My mom died a horribly painful death in a matter of 1 week. I'm completely devastated but I just want to help others. She had been given the pills for sarcoidosis years ago and gotten sick. Her dr kept pushing the injections but we declined due to it be controlled with prednisone. My mom was in the hospital because her blood pressure had spiked and they decided to push this on us. We said okay. 3 injections. My mom was healthy walking talking laughing to on a ventilator no platelets low wbc count colon infections liver damage and all in a week. She had needles in both sides of her neck she couldn't control her temperature I couldn't even talk to her. I'm 27. I don't have my mom and I got back an autopsy that says at the time of death she wasn't having any sarcoidosis or condition that would even require that medication. That's it. No mom and a sorry she was sensitive to this medication. People please be careful.
  • connie893
    connie893 kristy7

    Posted

    Hello,

    I'm sorry for your loss. I wanted to thank you for writing your post. My grandmother was prescribed this medication two weeks ago for her rheumatoid arthritis and now has many of the symptoms associated with MTX toxicity. She was hospitalized and I have let my family know to tell the doctors immediately about this and the rescue therapy. I just hope not too much damage has been caused and that she can recover. I didn't even know she was on it and I don't know why they'd prescribe such a dangerous drug to an elderly person like my grandmother, who has diabetes, respiratory issues, and so on. So, I definitely thank you for bringing awareness to the danger of the drug.

    Best regards,

    Connie M.

    • e30731
      e30731 connie893

      Posted

      I do apologize for anyone having to go through this. It is extremely hard and the symptoms are horrendous. It started with sores in my mothers mouth. They told her she has thrush however they were clearly symptoms of toxicity that they allowed to go untreated. I wish the best for your family. I'm praying for you.
    • connie893
      connie893 e30731

      Posted

      Hello,

      Thank you for your reply and kind words. Yes, the symptoms are horrendous. My grandma is still fighting the side effects and is currently hospitalized in critical condition. She too started with mouth and throat sores. She wouldn't eat because her throat hurt really bad and doctors would say it's just a sore throat and give her antibiotics. It wasn't until she woke up one day spitting up blood that they admitted her and I mentioned the MTX to the docs. Now, she's being treated for the toxicity, but it's been so many days.

    • e30731
      e30731 connie893

      Posted

      I'm just praying for you all. I hope she is strong enough to handle this terrible drug and that the doctors have caught it soon enough. I was reading texts back from my mom and she had the throat sores and not eating and I live in another city. When I left her on Apr 22nd they thought it was thrush. I called and called and begged them to take her to the hospital. When they finally did, they did no blood work and it was her prescribing hospital. They should've known, they sent her home. On the 27th she was admitted I came back that day she was put on ventilators and by May 1st I stopped life support. Her colon had shut down, her platelets were low so they couldn't decompress her colon for fears of not being able to stop if any bleeding occurred. She couldn't regulate her pressure, blood sugar or temperature and was in septic shock. She only had three doses of methotrexate. This is a terrible drug. I'm sincerely praying for you.
    • connie893
      connie893 e30731

      Posted

      Wow, it's scary because it sounds just like what my grandma is going through. She's already had I don't know how many platelet transfusions, but they dropped again. She has a liver, lung, and secondary hospital-acquired infection. She's fighting though. Thank you for your prayers, and I'm sorry you lost your mom to this terrible drug. I just keep on asking myself why it is prescribed for something such as rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis isn't deadly, but this drug certainly is. I'm going to tell my aunts to talk to the HR department about prescribing this drug.
    • e30731
      e30731 connie893

      Posted

      I agree definitely speak with someone. And I'm glad she is fighting. Unfortunately it started to shut down my moms organs one by one. I have started advocating against the medication and careful observation of patients with the medication.
    • e30731
      e30731 connie893

      Posted

      My original comment is being "moderated," but definitely ask questions and advocate for your grandma.
    • connie893
      connie893 e30731

      Posted

      Okay. Yes, as soon as I read about the medication, I told my aunt/mom to tell the docs. They didn't want to at first, but I was able to convince them. Two days ago or so they confirmed it was the medication. At first, they said it was dengue hemorragic fever (I'm in Mexico), but it makes me angry because they tend to say that a lot when they don't know what to do with the patient. She was transferred to a bigger city though and that's where they're treating her now and doing all they can.
    • connie893
      connie893

      Posted

      My grandmother didn't make it and passed away on December 25th due to respiratory failure. She put up a big 2-week fight though. We think she was holding on to say goodbye to everyone because she went as soon as her sister came by the hospital and she was the only one left to see her.
    • Lisa_Batts
      Lisa_Batts connie893

      Posted

      I am so sorry to hear that. You are in my thoughts. Sending love and peaceful vibes x
    • e30731
      e30731 connie893

      Posted

      I'm so sorry to hear that. I was thinking about you, hoping that you would have a different outcome. I'm praying for you and sorry you all had to see her suffer in such a horrible way.
    • connie893
      connie893 e30731

      Posted

      Yes, it is very, very unfortunate. Although she was older, it feels like the time we had left with her was unjustly shortened. At least we know we're not alone. I really appreciate your kind words.
Back to top
Prev Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.