Methotrexate and ACNE?! :-(

Cez

Just wondering if anyone has suffered with acne whilst taking MTX? I had bad skin as a teenager but haven't suffered from anything but the odd spot since then. I never had any problems at first but i know they can take up to 12 weeks to be fully effective and after 8 weeks my dose was increased to 20mg weekly and since then my skin has been terrible! It took me a while to put the 2 together and i changed my skincare routine and make up to see if that had any effect but it didn't. It's not a widely known side effect but it's listed in the BNF.

It's really getting me down, at the age of 27, i'm a little too old to have teenage skin! I'm working with the public every day and i'm so conscious of it. I'm certainly not going to stop the mtx because it's working so well but the thought of my skin staying like this is horrible. I feel like i'm just recovering from RA flare-ups and was happy that i'm not suffering any of the awful mtx side effects and then this happens. I know it's a minor side effect compared to what some people experience but i can't help how i feel!

Anyone else had any experience with this?!? x

frogmorton

Hi Cez

you must be so upset :shock: I know l would be :sad:

maybe it's worth a chat to the docs and they could help with the acne same as if it was teenage acne???

Do let us know what happens as l bet others have thsi and are too embarrassed to post.

Love

Toni xxx

elnafinn

Hi Cez

My heart goes out to you because our son was troubled with bad acne as a teenager and I really felt for him.

I googled Metho and it does say that it can be one of the side effects. Does it mention it in the instructions with your metho? I do not really know what you can do about it, other than come of the metho but understandably you do not wish to do that as it is working for you.

Perhaps you could call the helpline or your rheumi department.

Elna x

Starburst

Hello,

I feel for you. My skin has also got pretty rubbish and I've never considered a link. Although looking back, it has got worse since I was bumped up to 20mg MTX like you.

Have you noticed any benefit of the medication? For me, I've had to accept the skin is a side effect and the symptom relief outweighs horrible skin.

My advice would be to keep your skin very clean by washing your face with something gentle. I try not to wear tonnes of make-up as it clogs the pores. Sorry I don't have much advice but you're not alone.

Take care.
Sophie

Cez

Thanks for your replies girls.

The Methotrexate really is working and considering that in December i was struggling to walk every day, i couldn't justify stopping them over what would be considered to be a minor side effect, it just doesn't feel very minor.

I'm seeing my consultant at the end of June but i'm tempted to see my GP in the mean time and see what he says. I work in a pharmacy so i have an idea of the things i'd like to try but i guess it's down to what the doctor thinks is appropriate, i just hope something works!

Thanks again x

elnafinn

Aw,bless you Cez, acne is not a minor side effect, I am with on that, but so annoying when otherwise the metho suits you.

Why not see your gp in the meantime, as you say, working in a pharmacy you will be aware of what there is that you could perhaps be prescibed.

I hope you can sort this,

Hugs,
Elna x

ironic

Hi Cez,
Sorry you are having trouble with your acne. I haven’t had any problems so far, I have been on a lower dose since October. I am building up slowly and will be on 15 mg soon. (I was having problems getting used to mtx so my Rheumy nurse recommended that I take my time in increasing the mtx). I hope it settles down for you. It could be your body getting used to it and things will settle soon. Have you been getting the night sweats that some of us have? If so that could have had a bearing.
Ring your Rheumy Nurse and check with her as they have a wealth of experience and should be able to tell you if others have had this problem.
Lv, I x

carola

Aye, it may well be 'cos of the meds.

Amongst other meds I was on on Methotrexate and Prednisolone.

Before, I used to all receive compliments regarding my perfect skin and then I looked like 16yrs old and not in a good way!

I am greatly reducing my Pred and stopped Meth altogether 'cos of liver blood results and my skin has vastly improved.

Good luck and hope skin settles down soon.

Carol

madwestie

Cez, i dont' get acne very bad but i do get a few odd spots and my friend who is also on mtx says her skin is not good either.
I can't really helpyou on the what to do I am mostly able to use a cover stick on mine and to be honest i only use makeup when i go out (i am lucky enough to work from home).

I hope your Gp can help and please don't think it is a silly thing to worry about we have so much to put up with the little things can be the worst.

Tracey

dreamdaisy

I wonder if an increase in the FA would help? I know that it is supposed to minimise the risk of side effects and it can help with healing, but I am not a doc and certainly not fully knowledgeable about meth side effects. Another thought is this: I am on 15ml injected meth - the injected stuff is stronger than the tablet stuff as it does not have to go via the stomach: would that be an option for you, I wonder? You may still get all the benefit of the meth but at a lower dose which in turn could help the skin. DD

Cez

Thanks again, it's nice not to feel like i'm moaning over something daft.

My skin calmed a little last week so i've decided to wait and see the consultant this week. Hoping she will have some pearls of wisdom!!

I will mention increasing the FA and see if it might help, thanks for the suggestion.

x

Firemanphil_39

Yep, I got dodgy skin too now (20mgs and now 2g of sulph) red blotchy areas, with a bit of rubbish in there too...