Leflunomide + methotrexate & feeling sick - update

Wonkylegs
Wonkylegs Member Posts: 3,504
edited 20. Jul 2009, 18:37 in Living with Arthritis archive
HI everyone,

not been on here for a few days as have been helping dad sort out a few problems whilst also battling this constant feeling sick.

I didn't think too much of it last week, as i am only 4 weeks into taking the leflunomide, so was expecting to not feel good for a while.

However, it seems that i am fine until I get the MTX injection on a Wednesday. Then my stomach rebels and I feel really rough. I have found that Thursday and Friday are the worst, and am chewing on crystallised Ginger to help, but wondered if anyone else on this drug combo has had similar problems.

I don't want to go running to the GP too soon, but I know she wil be away at the start of August, so if I could take something to help I want it before then!


I'm hoping that things will settle down soon, but until then any tips?
thanks

Comments

  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,144
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Wonky
    :(:(:(
    Poor you! I HATE feeling sick!
    Not had this combo myself, but there are meds you can have to stop ou feeling sick because I have had them in the past....meto...something.
    I think that you might have to get something this week if yoyr GP is away the week after.
    I do hope you feel better soon.
    Toni x
  • kathbee
    kathbee Member Posts: 934
    edited 19. Jul 2009, 15:18
    Hi

    I'm on that combination and have been for
    about 9 yrs now, I never had sickness to start with
    and its just in these past couple of years I have to be
    careful that I dont eat fatty or deep fried foods as
    I would then have a bad bout of sickness, (happened
    on Thursday after I ate out and ordered the wrong
    thing). So I dont think its the Leflun and MTX mix that
    does that to me.

    I do have some anti-sickness pills which the doc
    prescribed - Prochlorperazine, 5mgs, but I dont
    need them so often.

    I also take a stomach protector Omeprozole, but
    I guess with the amount of gubbings I swallow they
    havent quite done the trick.

    Hope you feel better soon and the doc can help.

    Kath
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Wonkey,

    Sorry you've got the sickness feeling. I get it a lot cus of the crones and a few years back I used be sick almost every day. In the end I ended up on stemetil and cyclizine and between them it worked and now i just take the stemetil, though I do still feel sick sometimes and still am at times its much better. Food helped for me as well, there are a lot of things that my digestion just doesn't want and finding out some of the things and not eating them really helped.

    Hope you finds it settles on its own but if not 'bother' the doctor cus there are a few tablets to stop it all.

    Take care and the customary slurp from slipper boy...... who has eaten yet another pair this week! x
  • mrsdalloway
    mrsdalloway Member Posts: 161
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi wonky am feeling for you! I was on mxt both injection and tablet form and was not able to tolerate either. It was like having a really bad hangover every week without even having the fun of the night out! Hope things settle soon like the others have said there are various anti sickness tabs that you can try so I wouldn't put up with it any longer than you have to. Good luck! x
  • Wonkylegs
    Wonkylegs Member Posts: 3,504
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Thank you all :):wink:

    Mrsdalloway you really made me smile - thank you :D It really does feel like that morning after feel without the night before!
    I never was one for the big night out, so it is even more irksome! :lol::wink:

    I am going to try to be awake at 8.30 to get an appointment for the morning surgery. My usual GP only works monday morning (there are two GP's who job share) Hubby has kindly suggested he rings me when he gets to work (about 8.15) to make sure that I am on the phone by 8.30. How kind of him - it can't have anything to do with him having been up since 6.30 and feeling that 8.30 is enough of a lie in surely? :roll: :lol::wink:

    Chris - as for slipper boy tell him that I have three very old (and smelly :oops: :lol: ) pairs he can have with pleasure ..... send him over!

    I'll let you know how I get on ..... but if there is no appointment then it will be Tuesday afternoon before I can see my GP. Not going to see the other one for this as it will take more than three appointments to explain all the changes of recent weeks to him! :roll:

    take care (((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))))))))))
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    He said thank you and is on his way :lol: Hope you get sorted x
  • Wonkylegs
    Wonkylegs Member Posts: 3,504
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Have been to see GP this morning and have come back with more than I thought I would! :shock: :shock: :shock:

    I asked about meds for the nausea.... don't you just love it when the computer goes into melt-down because what they want to prescribe is contra-indicated with most of our meds? :roll:

    Couldn't have stemitil becasue of one clash, couldn't have another becasue of another clash, but have been given cinnarizine to take when it gets too bad and I need a break.

    However, last night I had been feeling 'funny' on the right side of my face .... like when a dental injection is wearing off. :? Thought it was one of the side effects of leflunomide. Also woke up with a mouth ulcer today. :(

    After several minutes gurning at the GP this morning (to check my face muscles! :lol: ) and after she had rung the consultant's secretary, been given the consultants mobile number, and had rung him (he was driving to a clinic at the time! :shock: :lol::lol: ) for advice, I came away with instructions not to take any Leflunomide for a couple of days, and a HUGE dose of Prednisolone to take for 5 days (60mg per day :shock: :o ) and a diagnosis of Bells Palsy to add to the growing list.

    Still reeling .... but hopefully the pred will stop it in its tracks before it gets a hold. Phew ... so glad I have a really good GP - so lucky really.

    what a morning! at least my joints may be the best they have been by Friday! :lol::lol::lol:
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,144
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    OMG Wonky! :shock:
    You have ALL the luck don't you!!!! :roll:
    Bells palsy :!:
    Glad u off the lef for a bit - be nice to have e repreive eh?
    I do hope you feel better soon
    Take care
    Toni x
  • mistywillow
    mistywillow Member Posts: 711
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    frogmorton wrote:
    OMG Wonky! :shock:
    You have ALL the luck don't you!!!! :roll:
    Bells palsy :!:
    Glad u off the lef for a bit - be nice to have e repreive eh?
    I do hope you feel better soon
    Take care
    Toni x

    Poor wonky
    As if feeling sick wasnt enough!! Hope you start to feel better
    soon. Sending you lots of cyber hugs.
    Gillx
  • Wonkylegs
    Wonkylegs Member Posts: 3,504
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    thanks! one relief is I haven't needed to take anything for the nausea today (now I have it) .... have felt ok in that dept! :D:D:D:D:D

    Hubby says only someone who knew me well would be able to spot the slight droop of my outh. Most will miss it so that is ok!

    Pred hasn't had any nasty effects so far (thank goodness) so trying to think positive.

    The joys of arthur ...... :?