Posted , 9 users are following.
Hello I started methotrexate yesterday and today I have been so sick felt light headed along with a banging headache at the same time then came the vomiting it's was a great day!!! Is this to be expected each week as I up my dosage I took 10mg this week and will do the same next going up to 20mg over next 6 weeks. I am also on sulfasalazine 3000mg but and going back down to 2000mg as I go up on the other.
1 like, 11 replies
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timothy11402 ben52877
Posted
You should call your rheumatologist tomorrow. My practice makes sure that the rheumatologist calls me back the same day to see what my concern is. He/she may want you to come back in to re-evaluate what is going on. Don't put this off.
We all must bring concerns and questions (on paper!) to bring up for answers. It is important to your health and well-being. We hire these knowledgeable people for their expertise and we should get answers to our questions.
elspeth97587 ben52877
Posted
Hi Ben. I am so sorry you have been sick. Tablets for nausea are usually prescribed for 3 days to stop this. I was taking 25mg orally along with metoclopramide for about 5 yrs and then moved back home and referred to a wonderful team in Reading. They suggested I started on sub cut injections and I have never had a problem since. I take too many tablets without taking things that stop me being sick!
You seem to be on a low dose of methotrexate so not sure how long you have been diagnosed but you shouldn't have to put up with this every week. I hope you can talk to your GP or Rheum to improve the situation. Best wishes, Elspeth
Justgettinby ben52877
Posted
Are you taking your folic acid daily? This should help with side effects. I do injectable MTX because I was afraid of the GI side effects, my dose is 17.5mg weekly. I did get a killer headache after the first 2 doses, but no nausea. It's been 4 months now and I only get very tired within an hour after the shot but I do it at night so I can just go to bed. I think there is an adjustment period with these meds and it can take a few weeks for your body to get used to it. I would just be sure to run it by your dr if it doesn't get better. Good luck to you!
ihavenonickname ben52877
Posted
We have missed you...
1. You need to take Folic Acid 1 mg daily while you take MTX
2. Split the MTX and take it as two smaller doses.
3. know that this may pass
4. ask for Zolfran
5. switch to injectable form
Feel free to contact your rheumatologist any time.
Big, warm hug
ben52877 ihavenonickname
Posted
Hello Judith, I took a 10mg folic acid 24 hours before my first 10mg methotrexate. I hope it is just my body getting use to it. I'm hoping they will change to injections when I get up to 20mg I hate swallowing so many pills. I kind of expected to be sick as my stomach has been a issue since my RA has picked up it pace!! I just hope this works as the predisalone did nothing for me I had no side affects from it which was good but it didn't help either!!!
Hope your well.
Ben
ihavenonickname ben52877
Posted
The Zolfran will settle the vomiting. Great, you took fomic acid...I prefer a small bit daily. You do what is best for you.
Ask for injectable...I can talk you through...it is painless. My thought is that when someone else injects, they squeeze too hard and we are not prepared for the injection of the needle like we are when we are injecting. Typically, I use my outer thigh.
So sorry for this rough beginning. Warm hugs
judith
ihavenonickname ben52877
Posted
We have missed you...
1. You need to take Folic Acid 1 mg daily while you take MTX
2. Split the MTX and take it as two smaller doses.
3. know that this may pass
4. ask for Zolfran
5. switch to injectable form
Feel free to contact your rheumatologist any time.
Big, warm hug
wendy4016 ben52877
Posted
Hi Ben I have been on methotrexate for 5yrs I also am on salfasalazine. I was like you very ill at first??, I have been on 20mg by injection for the last 2years and have no real side effects, I feel a little sick for 24hrs, folic acid is a great help. If your tacking it in tablet form it's going via the gut which is why you feel so ill. Speak to your RA nurse, don t put up with being so sick.
Regards wendy
ihavenonickname wendy4016
Posted
Wendy, how is your RA doing?
gillfar ben52877
Posted
I had these sort of reactions to MTX initially. Came off pills and am now injecting instead. No stomach issues to speak of and no headaches. Some low level nausea but nothing I cannot deal with. You need to ring your rheumy nurses and see if you can be switched to MTX jabs. Good luck.
debbie_39876 ben52877
Posted
Everyone is different, my methotrexate like you made me so sick that o couldn't even get out of bed, the higher the dose the worse I got.... I found the methotrexate injection suited me better but was affecting my organs. Have u tried taking your folic acid the day before the methotrexate, my specialist says it works better that way, hope you get sorted soon x