Problem with MTX and Vit D

RitaW

Hi Everyone,I was doing so well on the MTX injections for 2 months.I was only on a low dose 7.5.Went to see the rheumy in december and she upped the dose to 10 and also put me on a high weekly dose of Vitamin D as mine was low.After doing my first jab of the new dose and taking the Vit D I became so unwell.Terrible aura migraines with numbness all down my left side (thought I was having a stroke) I spent 3 days laying in the dark. I phoned the rheumy nurse who spoke to the specialist and she said to go back on the lower dose this week.The thing is,I am not sure if it's the MTX or the Vit D as they can both cause these symptoms. :?
I am due an injection later today and the Vit D on saturday.
I still have some numbness in my left hand,sometimes my arm and sometimes my face.I had no injection last week,but had the Vit D.
When my left hand goes numb,my little finger and ring finger curl up,very strange.
Has anyone else here experienced these side effects?
Rita xx

stickywicket

This will be of no use to you, Rita, as I've only just now discovered your thread and you were due to have the jab yesterday. I hope all went well. I do oral meth and have never had any such problems with it. I don't have Vit D. The reaction must have been quite scary and I do hope it doesn't happen again and you are able to continue with the meth. Please let us know.

dreamdaisy

Oh my word, this doesn't sound good. I've not had anything like this with my injected meth but then I've never been offered Vit D with it. I do chew a calcium tablet with added Vit D (lack of sunlight at this time of year doesn't help levels either) but that's all. I think you need to speak to your rheumatology helpline asap, you need some proper advice about this. Please let us know how you get on, yes? I wish you well. DD

RitaW

Thankyou for your replies.I did my injection this evening.I did tell the rheumy nurse,who in turn spoke to the rheumy and told them what happened.The rheumy said just to go back to the lower dose of MTX. :? I never had any of these symptoms until I did the higher dose and the high dose of Vit D (20,000 iu) I have read up about high doses of Vit D and it can cause bad migraines with aura including numbness on one side of the body.
Strange thing is,my arm goes numb and the little finger and ring finger only which points to a compressed Ulnar nerve. :? But when I had the migraine with numbness it was my arm,hand,neck and face that went numb on one side.
I am more afraid of taking the Vit D than the MTX and am thinking of buying a supplement rather than taking this very high dose once a week.My bloods said my Vit D was only 14 and the rheumy said it should be 50.
I'm so confused. :?
Rita xx

stickywicket

I hope all is well this morning, Rita, but I can well understand your concerns. On the plus side (arthritically speaking) it does sound as if the meth isn't the problem. However, the problem remains - you are low on Vit D yet appear to have a bad reaction to the high dosage.

I wonder if this is something you could chat to your GP about. He might be able to suggest eg splitting the dose into smaller ones. I don't think it would be a good idea to just decide for yourself and buy some over-the-counter Vit D as standards vary enormously. It might be that your GP would OK this but I'd take advice first. As you are due to take it today, how about asking NHS Direct?

lululu

I am not on MTX but have just been instructed by Rheumy to increase my vit D 1,600 to 10,000 units after blood test. Will start on Monday I will see how it goes.

RitaW

Well,I did my injection late last friday (lower dose)and the migraines and numbness came back,so I think it is the MTX
Am going to ring the helpline to tell them tomorrow.I cannot spend days having migraines (with the numbness) with these injections.I haven't taken any Vit D since it all started so it cannot be that.When I go back to the rheumy in march I am going on Enbrel,so hopefully will be better on this.
Hope everyone is keeping warm.The snow here is coming down thick and fast. :shock:
Rita xx

stickywicket

Better the devil you know, Rita. If it's the meth, you may well have to come off it which won't be good on the arthritis front but, if it gets rid of the migraines etc that has to be a big plus. Good luck and let's know what the rheumatology nurse says, please.