Methotrexate question

Starburst
Starburst Member Posts: 2,546
edited 9. May 2010, 17:02 in Living with Arthritis archive
I started taking methotrexate on Saturday morning. Last night, I was awake all night, feeling very unwell and nauseous and I vomited a few times this morning. Do you think it could be the methotrexate working this quickly? I work in a nursery school, so I guess I could have a caught a bug maybe.

Thanks,
Sophie x

Comments

  • robertls
    robertls Member Posts: 2,304
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sophie................Sorry you feel so unwell

    I'm afraid to say its the Mtx................most likely anyway.....

    When I first started taking it, it effected me exactly like that....

    Everyones tolerance is different, some people never seem to have any ill effects......others,....... well it took me a good while before my body accepted it...

    But I got there in the end....and am now feeling a lot better......

    I'm sure you will as well......

    Have you got any anti-sickness pills????

    Rob x
    Roba045.gif
  • gickygawky
    gickygawky Member Posts: 478
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sophie,

    Like Rob I think it is most likely to be the Mtx.

    The first time I had it I was feeling really unwell within a couple of hours.

    It took a long time but slowly and gradually the side effects lessened with each dose and I started to feel it really was helping.

    People often take ginger when they are feeling nauseous from Mtx and I also took Omeprazole to protect my stomach.

    I wish you lots of luck and hope it helps you too.

    A x
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I was on tablet meth a few years ago and had no problems with it all, then after 6 months or so I developed a rash. They stopped it, I had a break, then went onto injected meth. Still no side effects though it does very little for my PA - it's there to support the humira. I'm more inclined to think tummy bug, but, having never felt sick with meth I could be wrong. Hope you feel better soon. Dreamdaisy
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • scattered
    scattered Member Posts: 326
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    What dose did you start on? It would be a little odd to have such side-effects more than 24 hours after taking it. For me the nausea is always within a few hours of taking it. It lasts the 24 hours after taking it, never starting that late.

    I'd be inclined to go with a stomach bug, especially if you started on a lower dose.
  • jaspercat
    jaspercat Member Posts: 1,238
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sophie, I am inclimed towards agreeing with everyone else, it could well be the MXT that is causing the sickness, you could ask your gp for anti sickness tablets love Jaspercatxx
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sophie,

    I am sorry you are reacting like that to it... I did to the sulfa and its horrible. A (((( )))) and like Lynn said see if you can get some anti emetics and also take it just before you go to bed as that way some of the feelings are when your asleep. Good luck Flower and I so hope it works for you. Cris x
  • lindalegs
    lindalegs Member Posts: 5,397
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sophie,

    When I first started Mtx I had a day of vomitting 3 days after taking it, everytime I upped the dose the same thing happened. My Rheumy said it was unusual to have the delay but ot unheard of. I got antimetics from my GP, although I didn't use them much because the sickness died down very quickly and now I have no side effects.

    Luv Legs :D
    Love, Legs x
    'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
  • Starburst
    Starburst Member Posts: 2,546
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you for all the help and support. I got prescribed cyclizine by my GP and was advised to take one dose before I take my next MTX tablet on Saturday.

    I feel almost human today. :wink: xx
  • louiserichard
    louiserichard Member Posts: 52
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hiya

    Methotrexate can cause sickness and nausea) its normally worse when you first start it or when you increase the dose. Sick with it as it should fade.

    If you are on tablets they can offer it in injection form which sometimes stops these sideeffects as its obviously not going direct to the stomach when injected.

    All the best and hope you feel better soon

    Louise x
  • carolanivey
    carolanivey Member Posts: 64
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sophie,

    I've had RA since age 5 and have been taking mtx for over two decades. Even though over time, many side effects become less bothersome or go away entirely, I found that I always, always, always had to take it with food or it would make me very nauseous.

    Other RA friends of mine take their dose at night so they can sleep through the worst of the side effects.

    Did your doctor also give you a prescription for folic acid to take 24 hours after your mtx? This is essential to alleviate potential side effects like mouth sores and hair loss.

    A couple of years ago I switched to the self-injectible form of mtx and I haven't had any gastric problems since. Injecting bypasses your digestive system altogether, so the stomach discomfort and potential effect on the liver is much, much less.

    I hope this helps!

    Carolan
  • vikki30
    vikki30 Member Posts: 20
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sophie

    I had same reaction to mithatexrate but not till they increased the dose to 12.5mg i had to come off it as i had chest infections for 7 weeks and blood test shows it was doing something to my liver.

    they gave me another drug to try, but it could effect my eye sight not started it yet as im waiting for the results of my latest blood test to see if my liver function test have gone back to normal.

    good luck with the meds take care xx

    vikki xxx