Methotrexate

[Joanneked]

Hi all just been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, have just been prescribed Methotrexate tablet form starting tomorrow also have to take folic acid for 6 days of the week I’m terrified of the some of the side effects has any one experienced hair loss as someone I know did also any tips to help with the nausea feeling thanks

I found taking it with food (not on an empty stomach) or before bed so you sleep through most of the sickness feeling.
No hair loss here, I took it for 6 years until I was moved into something else.

No hair loss but I do struggle with nausea, headaches and just feeling utterly wiped out for 48 hours after taking it. I've experimented with taking it at different times to try and sleep through the worst of it.

That being said, lots of people don't get any side effects so you might be a lucky one.

I don't think my DH has any side effects from taking his.

Thanks all

My 9 year old has been on it 2.5 years. Very few side effects, very slight hair loss at the start but she was on prednisolone as well. Gets mild nausea but that’s about it. Used to get mouth ulcers despite folic acid but they have cleared up since she stopped taking omeprazole.

Thanks for your reply if a child can go through it I’m sure I can I’m 47 but just feel so down with it all just a lot to take on board at the moment

It is a lot to take on board and get your head round, don’t be hard on yourself. MTX works wonders for a lot of people, and once you get past the scary list of side effects, it really isn’t so bad. Good luck

Thanks again will keep you posted

Hi anyone experienced pain in right side middle of the back after taking methotrexate just starting first dose on Wednesday evening thanks

I wouldn't have thought it's to do with the methotrexate, after just 1 dose.

When is your blood test due? Mine were weekly at the start. Obviously, if you're worried contact your Dr.

2 weekly to begin with maybe I’m just being paranoid at the mo

Do you have a rheumatology nurse that you can speak to, to put your mind at rest? I doubt it's the methotrexate so soon after taking 1st dose but I'm not a Dr so if you're worried then get some advice.

I found that I spent most of the day after taking mine feeling hungover and generally crap but my consultant switched me to the injections rather than the tablets and it totally got rid of my side effects.
Fair enough I had to talk myself into injecting myself but that was far better than feeling like I'd had a major drinking session mid week!

If you do find you end up feeling really nauseous it might be worth asking about the injections.

I have felt sick for 2 days you are right does feel like a hangover without the good night before thanks for your advice I’ll have a chat with them

2 years on and the 3 days after taking it I am still wiped out. Really getting me down now because it's the 3 days a week that I don't work so I'm getting no leisure time at all. Basically I'm at work or stuck at home with what feels like the flu. I start to feel better just in time to go back to work.

OMG you poor thing and I’m just started out and moaning already think I’m on the start of a long journey thanks for your replies it’s good to speak to people that understand

Fingers crossed op that you don't get any side effects. We're all different. I get a lot of side effects from methotrexate but many others take it without any problem. Equally, I take pregabalin and have absolutely no side effects from it and lots of other people suffer loads. We're all different so don't be put off by what others experience, hopefully you'll have no ill effects.

Thanks again