MTX and anxiety - Can someone please put my mind at rest??

sanmar63

Hi everyone.

Well I'm now on my 7th week of MTX, and I go to sleep with a feeling of panic and wake up with it. Is it me or the MTX?

I have taken tablets for my nerves and panic attacks for 15 years, and I'm terrified I'm going to start having them again.

Can someone PLEASE tell me that this doesn't last? I'm struggling to cope and frightened to go anywhere without my husband. All I want to do is curl up and go to sleep.

I wish I'd never started the MTX. I could cope with RA. I cant cope with this.

Love, Sandra xx

salamander

hi Sandra, have sent you a private message

dreamdaisy

This happens to me occasionally, I am about to drop off then I'm wide awake, absolutely positive I have forgotten something VERY IMPORTANT but I cannot for the life of me remember what. It's a horrible feeling, then it goes and off I go to sleep.

I relate it to all the stress that we are under. Our lives are not what we want them to be, they are not as they used to be, none of us want what is happening. It's happened to me thrice in the past week, caused, I think, by the outcome of my rheumatology appointment last week, when I realised I had been struggling for months for nothing.

I am not generally of a nervous disposition, I know it will pass because all things do. I am certain it's not connected to methotrexate, well, not for me, anyway. DD

carola

Hi Sandra

I read on internet and on this site and in books about people getting anxious about Methotrexate.

Personally, I take 20mg weekly and luckily just feel really tired and a wee bit sicky for 2 days so I know it is easy for me to say don't stress.

I'm inclined to think that your anxiety is due to the general and gripping stress all arthritis people experience as our lives are turned upside down and daily tasks are like climbing a mountain.

Speak to your GP and when you go to bed at night chant in your head that the Methotrexate works, it really works .... just to try to get yourself thinking in a more positive way about Methotrexate.

Thinkin of you Sandra and please keep us posted.
Carol x

abbie41

Hi Sandra,

I have just started the MTX this week and I was really unhappy and nervous about taking it. I have side effects despite being on a low dose but Im battling on with it because I have heard how great they work for some people.

I feel your feelings of anxiety and fear about being away from your husband are not to do with the meds and more to do with being worried about everything and being unsure. Having to cope and feeling you need to be where you feel safe.

I have had this real urge to get home whenever I go anywhere, since I have been in real bad pain with Arthur. I want to get home fast because I feel safe and can relax in familiar surroundings and it calms me. I recommend you buy some Rescue remedy spray as that works when you have rising panic. you simply spray twice on your tongue and it calms you down.

wibberley

Hi there,

So sorry to hear about your panic attacks. I think you should speak to your GP as you shouldn't really be suffering like this and perhaps even just talking about your concerns might help.

Take care,

Lois x

sanmar63

abbie41 wrote:

Hi Sandra,

I have just started the MTX this week and I was really unhappy and nervous about taking it. I have side effects despite being on a low dose but Im battling on with it because I have heard how great they work for some people.

I feel your feelings of anxiety and fear about being away from your husband are not to do with the meds and more to do with being worried about everything and being unsure. Having to cope and feeling you need to be where you feel safe.

I have had this real urge to get home whenever I go anywhere, since I have been in real bad pain with Arthur. I want to get home fast because I feel safe and can relax in familiar surroundings and it calms me. I recommend you buy some Rescue remedy spray as that works when you have rising panic. you simply spray twice on your tongue and it calms you down.

Hi Abbie,

you've hit the nail on the head with the 'feeling safe' need. I'm keen to try the Rescue spray... but where can i buy it from? Is it only available from health shops etc?.
Please let me know asap.

Thankyou so much for trying to help me,
Love, Sandra xxx

dreamdaisy

Bach Rescue Remedy is available in all larger supermarket pharmacies. One of its main constituents is some form of alcohol I think, and it nay be worht checking that it won't interfere too much with any ohter drugs you are taking. My hospital is always stressing what we cannot do because of possible interaction with their rubbish. DD

sanmar63

dreamdaisy wrote:

Bach Rescue Remedy is available in all larger supermarket pharmacies. One of its main constituents is some form of alcohol I think, and it nay be worht checking that it won't interfere too much with any ohter drugs you are taking. My hospital is always stressing what we cannot do because of possible interaction with their rubbish. DD

Thankyou DD,
As I've said, I suffered terrible panic attacks for about 15 years, but i've had RA since the age of 1 year. To be honest, the RA is easier for me to cope with.
After all this time, I'm still terrified of a panic attack.
I really feel at the moment that ive well and truly had the stuffing knocked out of me, but people like you and the others on here are helping me more than you'll ever know.

Thankyou, Love, Sandra xxx

carola

You can buy it in Boots Chemist too but like DD says better check with GP that doesn't interfere with other meds.

dreamdaisy

And even if it does interfere try it. I've never found it that useful, other people swear by it. One or two doses ain't gonna do that much harm (I hope!) DD