Methotrexate side effects

pennycrayon

Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum and was hoping I could ask what may be a silly question? I have been on methotrexate for nearly a year now and am currently on 20 mg. Recently I have been getting bad mouth ulcers and for the past week I have had a bad sore throat. Also, my skin has been really itchy. Are these normal side effects of the drug? Or is it serious and I should be worried? Not had any side effects like this before. Any help on this would be fab. Thanks!

wibberley

Hiya Pennycrayon,

Just wanted to say 'hi' and welcome to the forum - love your name!

'fraid I can't help as I am on sulpha for my RA, not mtx but am sure more helpful peeps will be along soon!

Lois x

pennycrayon

Thanks for replying though! Penny Crayon was my nickname at school-not bad as nicknames go! lol

frogmorton

Hi penny

Good to meet you.

I am only on hydroxy too so can't really help. There are loads of people on MTX here though, but if I were you I would ring the pharmacist for advice??

You just never know.

Love

Toni xx

pennycrayon

Thanks Toni

janie68

Hi

Perhaps phone your rheumy nurse helpline, they will be able to assess you and help you further.

Take care

Janie

pennycrayon

Hi,

Yeah i take folic acid everyday except for the day i take the methotrexate because if I dont the nausea etc is really bad. Im wondering if these side effects will settle though-I have only been on 20mg for about a month. But I think ringing my nurse cant hurt. Thanks guys

joyful164

Hi Pennycraven

Welcome to LWA. I started MTX 3 years ago now, Seems longer somehow. Right fromthe start, I was lucky re side effects.
I found though, that it depended on what time ofthe day you take it. occasionaly I feel nauseas, headachy and very tired.
I am on injections, don't know whether you are on tablet form or injection.
I'm on 20mg. I have just gone through a longish period of sore mouth, but this week it seems to have gone. What it though is use a good mouthwash. Dr prescribed this along with an artificial saliver spray because I was getting a constant dry mouth too.

Do have itching skin, but was suffering with this before MTX. Do have to use a cream all over because I have a very dry skin and a little psoriasis aswell, although this seems not so bad. Perhaps thats down to taking MTX. It is doing it's job.

Joy

dorcas

Hello pennycrayon and welcome from me too.

I'm on Mtx too but due to previous side effects it's given as an injection and at a lower dose...15mg. I also am on anti tnf.

As other peeps have said any potential side effects need to be reported so that your doc or rheummy can check your bloods to make sure they are ok ............and give you something to help you.

nice to see you posting!

Iris x

skezier

Hi Penny,

Nice to meet you and glad you have found the forum they are a good lot here.

I haven't been on mtx long but was on sulfa for months and got a lot of ulcers and it was the sulfa. Like the others said talk to your rumo nurse or ruo cus with me they dropped the sulfa dose down for a bit till the ulcers cleared up and its a known side effect of mtx as well so you do need some advice. Hope it all sorts for you soon. Cris x

cthornley

hi Penny
i've been on 20mg mtx about 8yrs now
These are common side effects, you might want to mention them when you next go in for montoring and ensure that its noted with your blood results but I wouldn't be too worried. if you are just phone and ask your gp or rhemy and see what they say.
Increasing Folic acid can help but it sounds like you have that covered.
A medicated mouthwash such as Corsoydol (sp?) will help with mouth ulcers and sore throat, you can get these on prescription but also available over the counter/ in supermarkets.
Dry itchy skin is the bane of my life now and i'm guessing the increase in your dose has triggered your sensitivity to sunlight which is common with MTX. a combination of a good sunscreen ( i use high factor clear ones as they stop me looking washed out) and a good sensitive skin moisturiser such as E45 or vaseline intensive care should help.
Hope that gives you some relief
Chrissie

pennycrayon

I just want to say thanks everyone for giving me such a warm welcome and answering my question