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Pain with Methotrexate

Posted , 5 users are following.

mrsmop
mrsmop

I have been taking MTX for a year now and for the past few months, I have been suffering pain in my hips and legs.  The pain vanished completely when I had to miss 3 doses [not quite 3 weeks] in about September.

My Dermatologist blames my 'Polymyalgia' which doesn't really help me!

Any ideas - anyone?

 

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • mrsmop
    mrsmop

    Posted

    Another option, is to stop taking the MTX but my skin disease becomes unbearable then.
  • Ever_hopeful
    Ever_hopeful mrsmop

    Posted

    Don't accept things too readily - drugs can be tweaked.

    Good luck confused

  • schar1111
    schar1111 mrsmop

    Posted

    I found your post interesting because I too have had episodic issues with hips and legs aching terribly, making my nights especially difficult.  I've been on weekly injections for almost two years and I also get Remicade infusions every 4 weeks.  I was inclined to blame my hip and leg discomfort to the Remicade, but now that I've read your post, I'm wondering if it might be the MTX.  I would not quite describe my issue as painful, but more of a deep relentless aching, similar to the sensations that come with flu...but mainly in my hips and legs.  I feel lousy for a day or so after my injection, mainly stomach upset, then I'm ok.  But I'm experiencing more frequent episodes of the hip/leg aching too.  You're the first person I've heard mention this.  Anyone else out there?
  • mrsmop
    mrsmop

    Posted

    I had forgotten that I had posted this!

    I took my MTX at 4pm yesterday and had the 'pain' most of the night , when it suddenly disappeared at about 4am.

    You're right schar, it is a severe ache in my hips and thighs.  I refer to it as pain because an ache doesn't sound too bad!

    When I saw my Consultant recently, my liver enzymes were elevated and he thought then, that that might be causing the pain and I also find it very difficult to climb stairs for a few days after I have taken the MTX.

    I had my bloods done again this week and expect the liver enzymes still to be up.  I am taking 3 drugs in particular, that are not kind to my liver.  I have stopped one and am going to negotiate stopping a second but that is prescribed by a Different Consultant whom I expect to see next week.  I know the MTX is helping and my other options are limited.

     

  • schar1111
    schar1111 mrsmop

    Posted

    Hello mrsmop

    Sorry to hear your enzymes are elevated, but I thinks it's pretty common now and then when you're taking all of these meds.  While mine seem stable at the moment, I'm thinking perhaps your healthcare person is right and this aching is a side effect of elevated liver enzymes.  I'm having my remicade infusion at the hospital next Friday and I'm going to mention this...I'll let you know if I find anything out.  I'm not in the UK...I'm in Los Angeles, USA.  I'm 68 and being treated for RA and Lupus, an autoimmune double whammy.  Hope your bloods come back normal.

    • mrsmop
      mrsmop schar1111

      Posted

      Hello schar,  good luck  on Friday.  I'll be interested to hear if you find anything out.

      I'm going to have to see my Ophthalmologist because my eye has flared up again.  I have a supply of drops ready for this sort of thing, so am already using them.  They put me on one of my drugs, so I will discuss it with them.  I am not due to see my Dermatologist for about 3 weeks and he is the one who put me on the MTX and seems to be most on the ball.

      I know what you mean about autoimmune double whammy!  Tremenedous fun, isn't it!!

       

    • Lisa_Batts
      Lisa_Batts mrsmop

      Posted

      Tremendous fun.... That's the first time I've smiled today. Thank you Mrs Mop. It's MTX day and for some reason double whammy made me smile. It's that whole 'I'm not alone here' thing.... Thank you 😊
    • mrsmop
      mrsmop Lisa_Batts

      Posted

      You have to laugh, Lisa!!

      I am just back after seeing my Ophthalmologist and am stopping one lot of drugs for the time being, yipee!!

      Hope you're feeling ok after your MTX.  Friday is my day.

       

    • Lisa_Batts
      Lisa_Batts mrsmop

      Posted

      A sense of humour is vital to get through this but sometimes I lose sight of that! Good luck Fri. That's my folic acid day! Happy you have come down a drug. That's great news 😊 yippee indeed.
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