Worsening Side Effects after 2 years
Posted , 5 users are following.
I have been on 15mg of oral methothrexate (normally Friday evening) for 2 1/2 years and in recent weeks and months the side effects have been getting steadily worse: stomach pain after dose, feeling wiped out for the whole weekend, today dizziness for the first time (assume it is to blame!). Sometimes I wonder if my right side pain (liver?) is also brought on by the drug combined with stress. I have checked a few academic papers for the side effects again and these seem par for the course. Will they keep getting worse over time? Is there anyone out there who has been on it for longer or as long or do most people come off it after a couple of years due to not tolerating teh worsening effects?
0 likes, 26 replies
bgyrmi robertcosmos
Posted
I have been taking Mtx at 25mg/week for more years now than I care to remember and while everyone seems to react differently to the drug I would make the following suggestions. For your stomach always take after a meal, food has no effect on up take but can protect your stomach and for the tiredness you have to find the best time and dose of folic acid to counter it. I always take 24hrs after Mtx but anytime after 12hrs is fine as you will have taken up all you are going to by that time, and second make sure you are taking enough folic acid, my doctors prescribe 5mg tablets but many only give 1mg and this may not be enough for you. The tiredness is caused by mtx interferring with folate metabolism which is essential for cell division, it has nothing to do with the the anti inflamatory effect of Mtx which is likely through the production of free adenosine. The side effects do seem to vary from week to week with no apparent cause, but staying fit and keeping up with the folic acid does help.
robertcosmos bgyrmi
Posted
Thank you for your reply.
I have just noticed recently that I am much more sensitive to when I take my dose in relation to food.
My doc prescribed 5mg folic acid for each of 6 days per week which I think is unusual.
On the subject of keeping fit - I have just been for a bike ride!
Lisa_Batts robertcosmos
Posted
5mg of folic 6 times a week is very common and has helped me no end. Most doctors prescribe it once a week which really isn't enough for the majority of patients 😊
robertcosmos Lisa_Batts
Posted
Thanks
Lisa_Batts robertcosmos
Posted
annette25895 Lisa_Batts
Posted
Lisa_Batts annette25895
Posted
I believe the reason we don't take folics on MTX day is because it is a blocker for the folic acid so it just doesn't do anything. I'm not a doctor though so that is just what I have been told. I would always take my Rheumy's advice over my doctors with this.
However no harm in giving his secretary a quick call to double check 😊😊😊
Lisa
annette25895 Lisa_Batts
Posted
Lisa_Batts annette25895
Posted
It does that but eventually I got used to that. It's your illness and you have to do what's right for you. If you aren't taking it you shouldn't need the folics. Don't forget to let your doctor and rheumatologist know. Also your Rheumy will probably prescribe you something else.
I wish you luck
Lisa
😊😊