How long do MTX side effects last?

sanmar63

Hi Everyone,
Well, I'm now into the 5th week of MTX and wondering if I did the right thing by starting it.

I'm nauseous much of the time, have diarrhea just as often and have no energy or interest in anything. All I want to do is lay down and sleep

Can someone please tell me if this is likely to last much longer?
If I can see a light at the end of the tunnel I might be able to cope better - but at the moment I am really struggling and some days wonder why I didn't just put up with the pain (Sorry if I seem ungrateful)

While I'm writing this, I just want to cry .... but I know I'll just feel worse if I do

Any advice and support would be welcome - and I'm sorry for being such a misery.
:oops:

Love and ((()))'s, Sandra xxx

mightymam

I am only in my 3rd week of mtx so I can't advice you on how long the side effects will last. I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone in how you are feeling and have a good cry, everyone needs to now and again. Hang on in there. I am a mother of three boys which makes it hard when you don't feel well cos you have others to look after aswell, however I look at them when I have a bad day and they make me smile.

pennycrayon

Hi,

I have been on methotrexate for nearly a year now. When i first started it the side effects were really bad-like you are describing-but i persevered and they got better. I was still getting them around the time of taking the tablets but they weren't as bad. Now I have increased to 20mg again the side effects are bad again but my doc is going to try the injection of it instead of the tabs because the side effects are supposed to be less.

Maybe that could be an option if it doesnt improve? Bare with it though-it can get better. Also maybe folic acid would help if you are not already taking it? My doc put me on it everyday except for the day I take the methotrexate and it really helped with the nausea. Plus I have a good anti-sickness tablet if it gets really bad.

Hope this all made sense and wasnt too rambly and I hope the side effects lessen for you soon

xx

redkettle

Hello there,

Sorry to hear you're feeling unwell. I've only recently started on MTX, and am due my second dose tonight. I'm on a paltry 7.5mg and have had the symptoms of a rotten cold since i started last week.

I don't know if this is coincidence or caused by the MTX, but i have an inkling it's the latter. Not looking forward to the increased dosage if that's the case.

Anyway, I can't offer any advice as i've only started myself, but i do wish you well and i'll be interested to see if you come through the side effects ok.

Go Team MTX!
John

sanmar63

redkettle wrote:

Hello there,

Sorry to hear you're feeling unwell. I've only recently started on MTX, and am due my second dose tonight. I'm on a paltry 7.5mg and have had the symptoms of a rotten cold since i started last week.

I don't know if this is coincidence or caused by the MTX, but i have an inkling it's the latter. Not looking forward to the increased dosage if that's the case.

Anyway, I can't offer any advice as i've only started myself, but i do wish you well and i'll be interested to see if you come through the side effects ok.


Hi John,

I've been keeping a notebook since i started on Mtx - and there is a definate pattern to the way I feel. If you've just started on it, it may help you to make notes too....(tho I have to make notes about everything 'cos my memory is awful) let me know how you get on over the next few weeks,
Love, Sandra xxx

Go Team MTX!
John

lindalegs

Hi Sandra.

You seem to be having worse side effects than I did ....sorry What doseage are you on and do you take tablets or injection? Injections by-pass the stomach so sickness can be avoided if you take Mtx this way.

I had side effects at first (not diarrhea), vomitting and headaches and they got worse everytime I increased the dose. Because of this and the fact I was feeling benefits arthritically almost immediately my Rheumy reduced my dose down from 12.5mg to 10mg tabs. The side effects went away.

Are you on folic acid and anti-metics - both could help you?

Are you feeling any benefits arthritically yet?

I really think you need to talk to your Rheumy Nurse or GP or even talk to the Helpline ..No at the top of the page.

Hope this helps and that you start to feel better very soon.

Luv Legs

sanmar63

lindalegs wrote:

Hi Sandra.

You seem to be having worse side effects than I did ....sorry What doseage are you on and do you take tablets or injection? Injections by-pass the stomach so sickness can be avoided if you take Mtx this way.

I had side effects at first (not diarrhea), vomitting and headaches and they got worse everytime I increased the dose. Because of this and the fact I was feeling benefits arthritically almost immediately my Rheumy reduced my dose down from 12.5mg to 10mg tabs. The side effects went away.

Are you on folic acid and anti-metics - both could help you?

Are you feeling any benefits arthritically yet?

I really think you need to talk to your Rheumy Nurse or GP or even talk to the Helpline ..No at the top of the page.

Hope this helps and that you start to feel better very soon.

Luv Legs

Hi Legs,
I'm only taking 10mg tabs (and folic acid)- I cant understand how such a small dose can cause so much trouble!! :shock:

Arthritically, I feel much better, sounds stupid - but I really feel as if I don't know my own body anymore. I knew where I was with the pain and swelling - now I don't know how I'm gonna feel from one day to the next. And the fatigue is worse than before.

I'm back at the hospital on the 9th june, hopefully things will have settled down by then.........
:roll:

Sorry for being such a misery and thanks for your support,

Love, Sandra xxx

robertls

Hello Sandra.....

MTX realy kicked the stuffing out of me........for best part 4 months......and I wondered many times if the cure was worse than the illness........

Last 5 months have had no ill effects, and steady improvements overall condition...

Its tough doing.....and I really feel for you at the moment......

I'm at one end of the scale......lots of others here had little or no side effects from day one..

We're all different in how ours bodies accept MTX...

For my own part...........I'd go through it again tomorrow.......

So so much better now......

Luv and hugs...........Rob x

lindalegs

sanmar63 wrote:

Hi Legs,
I'm only taking 10mg tabs (and folic acid)- I cant understand how such a small dose can cause so much trouble!! :shock:

Arthritically, I feel much better, sounds stupid - but I really feel as if I don't know my own body anymore. I knew where I was with the pain and swelling - now I don't know how I'm gonna feel from one day to the next. And the fatigue is worse than before.

I'm back at the hospital on the 9th june, hopefully things will have settled down by then.........
:roll:

Sorry for being such a misery and thanks for your support,

Love, Sandra xxx

Sandra, I know just how you feel honestly.

I often have days of vomitting (not due to Mtx, because of hormonal headaches I'm prone to :roll: ) and I've laid sobbing on the bed because the sickness and headaches make me feel lousy and I know it'll last nearly all day once it starts :roll: At least with my RA I know how to manage it and can get on and do something 'useful/enjoyable' but when you feel so sick and tired you just can't do anything.

The Mtx will upset your system as it is quite toxic but your body will get used to it and I'm so pleased that you feel a lot better arthritically....on the same dose as me as it happens.

You could always ring your nurse or GP for advice if you're at the end of your tether ....and don't forget the anti-metics (anti-sickness) they might be just what you need.

Hang on in there girl.

Luv Legs

sarahbenn

Sorry to hear your feeling unwell, I also went through exactly the same when I was first put on mtx, felt sick all day for four to five days after taking the mtx was on the tablets to start with then tried the injections didn't help, I was so ill spent most of the time in bed as I had no energy whatso ever, I was getting up in the morning to take my 3 young children to school then back to bed for 4 or 5 hours looking back was a nightmare!! did this for months to see if my body was going to adapt to the meds with no luck, finally got put on hydro, sulpha and a reduction in the mtx to 7.5mg and has worked wonders for me, like everyone had said if you can try and perservere a little longer if you dont see any change have a word with your rhumy nurse or specialist and maybe ask for an alternative or a combo of other drugs with a reduced amount of metho, in the end i was willing to try anything as i felt so lousy all day everyday which is no good for anyone!! take care

sanmar63

robertls wrote:

Hello Sandra.....

MTX realy kicked the stuffing out of me........for best part 4 months......and I wondered many times if the cure was worse than the illness........

Last 5 months have had no ill effects, and steady improvements overall condition...

Its tough doing.....and I really feel for you at the moment......

I'm at one end of the scale......lots of others here had little or no side effects from day one..

We're all different in how ours bodies accept MTX...

For my own part...........I'd go through it again tomorrow.......

So so much better now......

Luv and hugs...........Rob x

Oh Rob!!

Just one sentence has helped me more than you'll ever know "I'd go through it again tomorrow" - Says it all for me!
I'm not happy, but I'll persevere and hope that I feel the same way as you do (soon I hope)
Thankyou so much, love & ((()))'s, Sandra xxx

psyart

hi - you are really suffering and my heart goes out to you - but if you are feeling the benifits from arthur, then please stick at it!!! I had to go through side effects for over a year - sorry dont want to frighten you - but anti sick tablets are a must!! Talk to someone that is what they are there for!!!!!!

sorry so rushed - need to do tea!!! will do another message later!! take care

Louise

robertls

sanmar63 wrote:

robertls wrote:

Hello Sandra.....

MTX realy kicked the stuffing out of me........for best part 4 months......and I wondered many times if the cure was worse than the illness........

Last 5 months have had no ill effects, and steady improvements overall condition...

Its tough doing.....and I really feel for you at the moment......

I'm at one end of the scale......lots of others here had little or no side effects from day one..

We're all different in how ours bodies accept MTX...

For my own part...........I'd go through it again tomorrow.......

So so much better now......

Luv and hugs...........Rob x

Oh Rob!!

Just one sentence has helped me more than you'll ever know "I'd go through it again tomorrow" - Says it all for me!
I'm not happy, but I'll persevere and hope that I feel the same way as you do (soon I hope)
Thankyou so much, love & ((()))'s, Sandra xxx

Hello Sandra...............
You response sort of stopped me in my tracks...and I got very emotional....
Its a real crappy drug is MTX, but for me its been a lifesaver..
Lets hope and prey that you get the desired result..

I'm sure theres lots of people here sending you their best 'vibes' about it..

Hugs.............Rob x