Methotrexate/abdo pain?

lizzy100

Hi guys, I started methotrexate yesturday (7.5mg). i took it in the morning, and about 5pm that evening i suddenly got really bad abdominal pain for a couple of hours. Then it went away again. But the same has happened again today. I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this? I do get abdo pain now and then, but its weird being exactly the same time, but I dont know why the drug would do that either. :roll: The doc had said GI side effects are rare, but i dont know how true that is.

stickywicket

I don’t think stomach problems are all that rare on meth, Lizzy100. However, if yours is happening at the same time each day it might be more to do with what you eat and when, especially if it’s something you tend to get anyway. Eg, is it when you’re very hungry or just after a large meal?

7.5mgs is a low dose. Do you take it with food? Have you been given folic acid with it? That helps to prevent side-effects. Some people take their meth at night to guard against stomach problems. And/or you could ask for a stomach protecting med such as lansoprazole or omeprazole.

Re your other thread, if you’re being prescribed a DMARD you are on the right treatment for sero-neg arthritis. It’s just that they can take some time to kick in. I hope yours does soon.

lizzy100

Well i have a healthy lunch at lunch time, and then the pains happening at 5pm before i eat anything. I dont think its because Im hungry because i had a decent lunch. Its just a bit of a coincidence it started the day i started MTX.
I have inflammatory bowel disease which is why i get 'stomach probs', and why i asked about GI side effects and he said it wouldnt be a problem. because id been wondering if id need injections. I get pretty weird side effects to things aswell.
Yea they gave me folic acid but said to take it 2 days later.

Yea I know its the right treatment but he didnt want to give it to me, its only because the other doctor said he would that he had to really.But he doesnt believe me.

tillytop

Hello again Lizzie.

I have just replied on your other thread so I won't repeat it again here.

Sorry about your abdo pain though. I can't add to what's already been said, but hope it improves for you soon.

Tilly xxx

dreamdaisy

Nausea is a common side effect, I guess twinges could be too, but to happen at the same time on consecutive days? I don't think it's meth-related, it could be all kinds of things. Keep a record of it including your diet and activities to see if some sort of pattern emerges. FA is always taken a day or two after the meth, on here we tend to run the two together and know what we mean! I guess it's some sort of arthritis shorthand. DD

dillydream

Hi Lizzie,
I had exactly the same problem when i took my first dose of Methotrexate, but I was encouraged to persevere with it. I was also on a very low dose. After several weeks of severe abdominal pain it had reduced me to a very low ebb, even though i had done everything i was asked to do.
In the end i was admitted to hospital and the upshot was, it had been irritating my bowel and causing me pain. I have IBS too.
This may be worth asking your GP about because as soon as i read your post it reminded me of how i was.
I hope you get it sorted soon
Take Care
Dilly

lizzy100

thanks for the replies. Thats interesting dilly. Well I do have IBS but I also have IBD where i get inflammation in my colon so it could be irritating it and causing the pain. What did they do for you in hospital?
I know its nothing to do with what im eating. its happened again today but not quite as bad as yesturday maybe. I was going to see what happens when i take it next week, and when i increased the dose see if it gets worse. Im feeling reallllly shattered today! but getting bloods wed.
I think it can cause colitis and when i already have colitis-- eeeeee.

dillydream

Hi Lizzy,
I PM`d you. Can you let me know if it arrived as i`m not sure where it went when i clicked the submit button