Methotrexate Side Effects

[kleahy]

I have been diagnosed with WG for 3 years now. Currently I am on 5 mg Prednisone daily and 25 mg MTX weekly. I have tried both MTX tablets and injections but both make me feel really bad for 1-2 days after taking. Headache, nausea, abdominal cramping and general "fog". Any suggestions out there? Thanks.

[Pete]

If you're taking tablets, you might try splitting the dose and take half in the morning and half at night. I found it decreased the intensity of side effects, but didn't eliminate them.

[annekat]

I am only on 15mg/wk of MTX and it seems to have started making me feel awful again, after I'd gotten used to it. Last week I only took 10mg., 2 tabs at night and 2 in the morning, and it seemed to make a big difference. This week I'm thinking of taking the full dose but dividing it into 3 installments, two tabs at night, two when I get up, and two about 6-8 hours later. As long as it's within 24 hrs. I'm not suggesting people make these kind of changes without talking to their doctor, especially changing the total dose. I'll be talking to the doc on Tues. I might suggest the possibility of switching to another med, as something is making me anemic, and it could be the MTX. Your 25mg. is a pretty large dose, and if it's been awhile and it's still making you miserable, you might consider asking for a switch to say, azathioprine, but do try the splitting of the dose first.

[mishb]

MTX make me feel lousy for a couple of days after taking them too. Mainly headaches and very tired.

Only recently, 6 weeks ago to be exact (after my sinus operation) I found that taking two paracetamol just before bed, really helped with the headaches.
I also found a new little trick for headaches and that is to eat a few potato chips/crisps. The salt on the chips/crisps, helps to relieve the headache.
Drinking salt water also works but I prefer the chips/crisps :thumbsup:

[cjhnsn29]

I agree with Pete! I been on methotrexate for a while now and it always makes me feel bad when I take it. But mainly the next day is worse for me. I also starting breaking mine in half it helps but not perfect. Make sure you take your folic acid for your
Stomach.

[Alias]

My rheumatologist started me out on weekly self injections of MTX right away when I was diagnosed, as he believes that is more effective. He also said that GI/nausea issues are less common with the injections. I've never done the pills, so have no comparison, but you might ask about it. I do have some mild nausea from time to time but nothing terrible.

[cjhnsn29]

Anna Kat! Where in S.W. FL are you? We might have the same Dr's lol... I can't smell or taste ither. Sometimes it's good sometimes it's not. I hope it comes back a little. My Drs are concern right now because I am loosing to much weight quickly . I lost 52lbs so far. Big difference.

[annekat]

Anna Kat! Where in S.W. FL are you? We might have the same Dr's lol... I can't smell or taste ither. Sometimes it's good sometimes it's not. I hope it comes back a little. My Drs are concern right now because I am loosing to much weight quickly . I lost 52lbs so far. Big difference. Oops, I'm not in Florida at all, I'm in Olympia, Washington! It must have been someone earlier in the thread you are thinking of. I do know we have a few members in your area.... :smile1:

[Garry B]

I realise Im replying to an old post but ...Do not take folic acid for at least 24 hours after taking your Methotrexate. It will interfere with its action. Then 5mg daily for 2 days.
g

[trionic]

Hi, I have been taking MTX (20mg per week) since 2013 and quite soon my skin was getting yellow and liver function tests not so great. So I needed to find a solution, it was berberine, yellow stuff with bitter taste.

According to several rat studies(here's one: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S075333221733295X ), berberine protects liver from cytotoxin. With random-regular use of berberine I have very minimal MTX-nausea and my blood values are all just fine.

Ok, I have to admit that I dont know if berberine is neutralizing the very effect of MTX. In some cancer treatments it's ok to take berberine and in some it's not, depending the cytotoxin type used.

What comes to folic acid, it seems that usage recommendation vary quite a lot from place to place. I live in a Nordic country and my University hospital prescription says to take folid acid 3-5 hours after the MTX.

One warning relating to berberine, it's very safe product, but if you have diabates-2 medication, you will most likely have to adjust your medication as berberine also acts like an metformin and lowers blood sugar values.

[mishb]

Hi Trionic

All of the studies that I have read advise not to takefolic acid (folate)on the same day as MTX
Others say not to take it within 24 hours either side of taking MTX, and again others say, not to take within 12 hours either side of MTX

Everyone has different ideas, but I have never heard of 3-5 hours after :unsure:

If your liver is so affected, can your specialists not put you on to a different medication and drop MTX altogether?