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Starting Methotrexate

Posted , 7 users are following.

Natalia97
Natalia97

Hi. I'm 17 years old and I'm starting methotrexate next week and I'm verry worried about the side effects. Would you recomend the injection or the oral pills? Pros and cons? And do you feel bad in the beging of taking the methotrexate and does it get better with time? Would be nice to know what to expect. Grateful for answers!

0 likes, 19 replies

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  • maggie15623
    maggie15623 Natalia97

    Posted

    Hi Natalia, love your photo!  I think you are worrying too much.  Not everyone suffers with side affects and your age is a big plus for tolerance.  Just see how it goes after a few weeks and you can report back to your specialist.   All the best.
    • Natalia97
      Natalia97 maggie15623

      Posted

      Hi Maggie. Yeah I'm probably are worrying to much, it's just a bit overwhelming. I will! Thanks for your answer! Best wishes!
  • melanie10589
    melanie10589 Natalia97

    Posted

    Hey Natalia, 

    Do not worry! Everyone reacts differently - I've been on Methotrexate since age 15 (I'm now 24) on quite a high dosage (20mg) and have never experienced some of the side effects that people speak of on here, so don't worry too much! smile As for tablets or injections - whichever works for you. I started on tablets and had no side effects, well, no effects at all! They just didn't work for me. And the injection pens are far better in my opinion than pre-filled syringes, but your doc will know what is the best option for you.

    I have now gotten used to experiencing the side effects I get (mainly nausea on injection day), and I have learned how to deal with it so it does get better.

    Best wishes!

    • Natalia97
      Natalia97 melanie10589

      Posted

      Hi Melanie! Oh okay, that's good! After reading so many negative experience with MTX here I was a little worried. The doctor told me I could choose whatever I wanted, so not sure what is best. I get to choose between tablets and pre-filled syringes. I take a lot of other tablets so I thought it would be better with injections, but I really don't know. Thanks for your answer! All the best. 
  • Dinah54
    Dinah54 Natalia97

    Posted

    Hi Natalia

    I've only been on Methotrexate for 5 weeks and was very apprehensive beforehand. I experienced mild nausea for a couple of days after I took the mtx but I have hardly noticed it this week. And the strange 'brain fog' I had to begin with has disappeared completely.

    So, yes, the symptoms definitely improve over time. And as you're young you will probably have minimal side effects. Good luck with it

    • Natalia97
      Natalia97 Dinah54

      Posted

      Hi Dinah. That's good that they improve over time! I'm most worried about that I already have a very weak immune system and I am very sensitive to medications.. But hopefully it will be fine. Thanks for your answer! x
  • cheria
    cheria Natalia97

    Posted

    Hi Natalia, Methotrexate is the first med drs try to see if it helps.. Everyone reacts differently but ive researched that as long as you be sure to take the prescribed folic acid with this (methotrexate depletes this causing much nausia) and drink a good amt of water with these (1 to 2 cups)..you may have better results..do make sure you have a multi vitamin and healthy eating habits(carefully limit or omit sugars, milk, soy, gluten and other food sensitivities) and get plenty of rest, these things all make the MTX better also. The little tablets sometimes are said to affect digestion and stomach upset but plenty of water and not on an empty stimach should tske care of that possibility. My RA dr says any side effects are the same whether it be with the tiny tablets or injection. Why go with injections if you dont need to! The med does lower your immune system so thats why i have recommended taking very good care of your health, keep stress to a minimum, and plenty of sleep (10 to 11 hrs is recommended nighly if you have daily pain you need to manage..if you feel worse on this med and or new symptoms appear, this could be a sign this is toxic for you, and another, such as a biologic may be tried. I myself am much older than you, but could not take the methotrexate. For me, because it compromises the immune system, found it triggered much more body pain, and other secondary infections.i am 55 yrs old. If you feel sick, have more body joint or muscle pain or find it is not doind enough to help, be sure to let your dr know, as these are allergic or toxuc reactions, as it says in the literature that comes with this meducation from your pharmacist.
    • Natalia97
      Natalia97 cheria

      Posted

      Hi Cheria! Thank you so much for your answer! I'm most worried about that I already have a very weak immune system and I am very sensitive to medications.. I already get sick a lot even though I eat verry healthy and take care of my body. Stress and anxiety is a big problem for me, so I'm a little bit worried that my anxiety will get worse with the mtx, but I hope not. I have problem sleeping at night because of the pain, so I really hope that the mtx will help with that. I have tried other mediciations but got ulcers so I had to switch. Oh okay, I hope you feel better now!! Thank you for taking the time to answer me, it really helped! Best wishes
  • Lisa_Batts
    Lisa_Batts Natalia97

    Posted

    Hi Natalia,

    Bless you. Sometimes the anxiety of taking it can be worse than the side effects. I would say when you start your medication take it day by day and any side effects you may experience pop on this site (doesn't matter how silly they seem) and advice will come your way 😊 I wish you luck and you may be one of the lucky ones who doesn't get side effects. Lisa x ☀️☀️

    • Natalia97
      Natalia97 Lisa_Batts

      Posted

      Hi Lisa! Yeah I have some problems with anxiety so you're probably right. I will try to take it day by day like you said. Thank you! Hope your well!

      All the best x

    • Lisa_Batts
      Lisa_Batts Natalia97

      Posted

      Hi Natalia,

      I noticed re the above you are worried about ulcers. I had these briefly at first but gargled with diluted tea tree oil and got a medicated mouthwash and used an antibiotic steroid cream for ones on my hands and.....tra la de da! ... Not had a problem since. If you do get ulcers I am happy to give you more info but keep positive and hopefully you won't get them 😊☀️ Lisa x

    • Natalia97
      Natalia97 Lisa_Batts

      Posted

      Hi Lisa, 

      Yeah I got pretty bad stomach ulcers so now I take tabletts for that too. I just hope it doesn't come back again with the mtx. Thank you for the information!😊 Hope you had a nice day!

    • Lisa_Batts
      Lisa_Batts Natalia97

      Posted

      I had a great day. I accidentally ordered 4 tubs of ice cream instead of 2 on my weekly shopping 😂😂😂 Lisa x
  • flightsimfrank
    flightsimfrank Natalia97

    Posted

    Hi Natalia. I have just been prescribed methotrexate for rhuematiod arthritis. took my first dose of 15mg on Saturday followed by 5mg of folic acid on Monday. prior to this, I had a steriod injection 3wks ago which helped reduce my pain but last night had massive flare-up in my arms and still in extreem pain now. I have felt nausia since Saturday but have been working and coping but not today. I cant even get dressed. I dont know if this is a reaction to the drug! I too have concerns about the side effects but need to give this a chance as it works on the desease and not just suppressing the pain
    • Natalia97
      Natalia97 flightsimfrank

      Posted

      Hi! Oh I'm sorry to hear that! I hope you're feeling better!! I will definitely give it a shot and hope that it will work. Thanks for your answer! 
    • flightsimfrank
      flightsimfrank Natalia97

      Posted

      Hi Natalia, just quick update. My specialist doc got back to me this afternoon. I explained what had happened last night and today, she asked if i were taking anything for the pain! Bottom line, I can take ibubrufen upto 400mg and paracetamol upto 400mg or both together. Its ok to take these until the methotrexate kicks in which could be anything upto 12wks. I was worried about toxidity but its ok to take these short term.!! I have now taken the ibubrufen and getting some releif after 24hrs of sheer pain. Hope you are gaining some confidence from his forum.
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