Methotrexate side effects

Cazy

Hi, I’m new to posting on here, so bear with me for any responses to my post! I’d been on Methotrexate fron last June. I had some nausea and chronic constipation that actually stopped from taking painkillers as they just made me worse.

My specialist suggested going on Metoject to help. I has built up to 20mg of Methotrexate and I’m working my way up to 25mg on the pen version of the meds. I’m currently up to 20mg now after 4 weeks and it’ll be another 4 weeks before I’ll hit the new level of 25mg. Okay, that seems to make sense, the nurse also it’s like starting all over again and it could be 12 weeks again before the meds start kicking fully. That was surprise as it was only a drop, not a cessation of the medication.

I’ve read through all the info I can to help with the fact I’ve been having weird sharp pains for about 24 hours, then it goes and like whack a mole it starts in a different limb or part of the body! It really really hursts like I’ve sprained my wrist, or practically broken my finger or thumb! And ideas anyone please. The nurses have asked me to persevere for the next four weeks. But I’m in a lot of pain in random parts and don’t understand what’s happening to me. Thank you for letting me share with you today. ❤️🙏

noddingtonpete

Hello @Cazy and welcome to the Community. We are a friendly and supportive group and I hope that will be your experience as well.

As with all treatments it can take a while to adjust to them and it looks like you have already asked for support from your nurse, but any doubts I would go back to your GP or Rheumatology Team to seek reassurance.

I don't take this myself but there are many on here who do who I hope ill share their experiences with you. In the meantime I've put links in below to some articles that might help.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/your-experiences/your-questions-answered/your-questions-on-methotrexate/

and

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2022/march/common-questions-about-taking-methotrexate/

Please keep posting and let us know how you are getting on.

Best wishes

Peter

rte

hi I’ve been arthritic with 5 versions for over 50 years, whilst I don’t use methotrexate, I have a cocktail of at least 5 drugs aimed at this. In my experience what you’re suffering hasn’t so much to do with your random nature if your pain , rather it is the random nature of arthritis itself. Each day my pain will vary from bearable to unbearable emanating from over a dozen different areas. Sorry my answer is probably not very helpful,

Good luck.

Welsh1

ASk Rheumatoid nurse however if you are adjusting medication the body can do strange things one day I am great next random pains in different places

Cazy

thank you for your responses and I apologise for my delay in replying.

The pains have continued being as random and every bit as painful and just not making sense as to where they crop up in my body.
I spoke to the nurse and one of the specialists phoned me back. Their suggestion was to cease the injection for a week until I’m next collecting my injection stock. I’m a little perplexed at this ‘suck it and see’ approach. I’ve been taking methotrexate in tablet form since last June. Then the injection form since April. If as they tell me it takes 12 weeks to get into the system, a week off doesn’t seem to be a sensible or appropriate answer!

I’ll keep checking out the great ideas here though. Thank you for all the support I appreciate it.