1. Community
  2. Skin and nails
  3. Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis

Reducing the sickness and side effects of Methotrexate

Posted , 8 users are following.

stacy8431
stacy8431

Hi there

I am due to start methotrexate by injection in 2 weeks time and was hoping to get some tips from other users on how to minimise sickness, fatigue and side effects.

I have two very energetic toddlers and can't afford not to be able to keep up with them!

I want to be as prepared as can be from day one.

Thanks in advance for your time.

Stacy

1 like, 19 replies

19 Replies

Next
  • richard_89931
    richard_89931 stacy8431

    Posted

    Hi Stacy I’ve been on the metoject pens for about 6 months , its a lot better than the tablet form regarding side effects etc . Unfortunately you will still feel a bit nauseous for a couple of days more than likely though . 

    I take mine about 4 pm on Monday and go to bed early to sleep through most of the effects !  You can take the folic acid the next day which also helps ( rather than the leaving it 2 days after ) 

    I’ve read in a few places that avoiding high carbs foods like bread / pasta the same day you take it helps , I’m gonna start tying to just have soup for dinner on day of taking it to see if that helps 

    Good luck with it , the side effects are well worth it though, I’m in remission now from my psoriatic arthritis and nearly back to feeling like I did before I was diagnosed .

    Rich 

    • stacy8431
      stacy8431 richard_89931

      Posted

      Thanks for this Richard. I will speak to the nurse at the next appointment with regards to being prescribed folic acid. They haven't mentioned it yet. Xx

  • Kazza_64
    Kazza_64 stacy8431

    Posted

    Hi Stacey,

    I've been on methotrexate inj for 5+ years.Obviously everyone is different with side affects.I personally inject before I go to bed so that any side affects were better coped with lying down and sleeping.Not every one get the side affects,but stick with it because symptoms can disappear once your body is used to it,Do you take any other meds for your PsA ?

    Good luck ,feel free to message me. ????

  • lol8
    lol8 stacy8431

    Posted

    Hi i have been on mthx for over 3 years now injecting about 6 pm every Wednesday, i take folic acid every day except that day.............i can honestly say i have never felt sick or any different, when i was ill back along i didn't inject  for one week and felt no difference except that my joints started to ache so was glad to go back on it. So please don't worry to much, a positive attitude go along way...hope this helps feel free to ask any questions x

    • stacy8431
      stacy8431 lol8

      Posted

      Thank you so such for this message. My husband talked a lot about positivity to me this morning, I'm struggling! Xx

    • lol8
      lol8 stacy8431

      Posted

      I was sooooooooooo terrified about taking such a strong drug that i put it off for ages, but it was the best thing i did, i have 2 horses and i use to be in tears pushing the wheel barrow cos of the PAIN in my deformed fingers! this is my4th winter and as long as i double glove up it will be a doddle like the last 3 years.

      I do still get days when i can feel it marching around my joints but a long soak in a hot bath or a wheat bag and in the morning  im up and mucking out by 7 am.

      I started taking the injections so that i could save my quality of life and for me it WORKED x

  • donna1952
    donna1952 stacy8431

    Posted

    I’ve been on pills for 6 months and they have me splitting 4 and 4 tabs in the day with food, I was taking antacid for nausea and the upped my folic acid to one daily.I was pretty scared at first too! I don’t know how you do it with two toddlers, I’m pretty pooped two days after my meds. You know, I’m never sure whether it’s the PsA or the meds.
  • donna1961
    donna1961 stacy8431

    Posted

    I’ve had to reduce to 10mg and back on steroids due to the side effects I experienced on a higher dose but without the steroids.  Can I just ask if anyone knows if you can be on the injections at the lower end of the dosage regime or does it have to be the high doses only?

     

    • stacy8431
      stacy8431 donna1961

      Posted

      I'm starting on injections and I can't imagine they would start me on a high dose immediately?

  • Will1982
    Will1982 stacy8431

    Posted

    Hi Stacy, we all understand your worry and anxiety. Lots of us have been through the same thing and are here to help.

    It's important to make the distinction between being aware of the side effects, and expecting them to happen. Mtx gets a lot of unfair criticism, the chances are high that you will tolerate it well and wonder what all the fuss was about.

    Personally, my appetite is a bit lower in the days following a dose, which some might see as an upside. No sickness or other side effects of note. My biggest enemy is my own mind, trying to stay positive, constantly failing, but never giving up.

    Lots of people rely on Methotrexate, I hope it works for you as it does for many others.

    Will

    • stacy8431
      stacy8431 Will1982

      Posted

      Thanks Will. I'm doing my best to remain positive but panic keeps creeping in.

      I'm 33, healthy (with everything else!) And active, I'm hoping I'm in a good position to manage this drug well.

    • Will1982
      Will1982 stacy8431

      Posted

      We're a similar age so I do understand where your distress comes from. It's not always rational, but it is very real.

      Without knowing anything about your diagnosis, all I can do is emphasise how important it is to focus on the potential of MTX to change your life in a positive way. It's usually the first drug of its class they use, specifically because its so well tolerated and has the best results. If it doesn't work they will find something that does.

      As others have mentioned, Folic acid is a massive help in preventing side effects, usually taken once per week(5mg), or 1mg daily. 

  • richard_89931
    richard_89931 stacy8431

    Posted

    just out of curiosity how much folic acid does most taken on here ?  My specialist has me on one 5mg tab once a week . 

    I’ve also been told I should never take it on same day as methatrexate, so am a bit surprised to hear some here take it daily .

Back to top
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.