Methotrexate injectables and pneumonia vax

mosborn11

Hi everyone, I wondered if anyone has had experience with methotrexate injections?

Basically I've been on Methotrexate for a while and it's working joint wise but the side effects are unbearable so they've agreed to switch me to injections.

It takes about three weeks for the injectables to come through and I've been told in the meantime I have to get the Pneumovax vaccine. Has anyone else had to do this? I'm stressed that the vaccine will make me feel even more ill than I already do, and apparently I have to come off the methotrexate tablets to have it done.

Has anyone had the vaccine or the injectables and how did it go? Xxx

iwannerbeme

Hi, Im new here, this is my first post.

Ive been diagnosed with R.A and about to start methotrexate which I am scared about.

Ive just had the shingrix and pneumo injections. Ive been told not to start methotrexate for a couple of weeks to give the injections time to work. I would say I have had more side effects than i normally get with vaccines. I am guessing that is because i now have R.A. That said, its not been too bad. Very, very sore arms, I can just about lift them, after 4 days and itchy skin at injection site. Its slowly getting better. Usually I would get a sore arm but not as intense or as long. I have been tearful too. Not sure if thats a side effect of vaccine or coming to terms with the diagnosis. Nothing else though.

Its totally understandable that you would be stressed about having it, especially as you have had a bad experince recently. Hopefully your reaction (if any) will be a normal vaccine reaction for you. Take care

PeterJ

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

It might be worth having a search of the community for others posts but I hope you get over the side effects soon.

Please let us know how you progress.

Best wishes

Peter

mosborn11

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/727339#Comment_727339

Thanks for your comment and good luck with the methotrexate! The side effects are tough for some people but I can't lie, it's been the most effective medication for my join pain! I hope it works for you too!

Hermione

Hi, I've been on methotrexate tablets for RA for several years and although I was not actually told to pause them for two weeks after Covid vaccinations, I did read that the immune response would be better if I did, so each time after the Covid vax I have paused the MTX tablets for two weeks. I wasn't told to pause MTX after shingles or pneumovax vaccinations but this may be because I get the vaccinations from my GP nurse who probably knows very little about MTX as it's never prescribed in primary care. I did try to look it up but there doesn't seem to be any advice or research about pausing MTX with shingles/pneumovax. I had a really bad reaction after both Shingrix doses - felt like flu, aching all over, really tired. Told the GP nurse about it and asked if I should report it on a yellow card. She said if I hadn't been hospitalised, not to bother! So I didn't, but wished I had later. No problem with the pneumovax, just the usual slight sore arm but that is to be expected. Had the latest Covid (Spikevax) and flu vax last week, had slightly sore arms and felt tired for a couple of days as usual, but no serious side effects.

Iwannerbeme, don't be scared about MTX. It has turned my life around, from terrible pain and depression, feeling disabled, not being able to sleep for the pain, couldn't lift a teapot or tie my shoe laces, to pretty much back to normal life now. I did feel sick for a few months (lost some weight which was probably a good thing!) but the side effects eventually calmed down and now I'm fine on it. There are always alternative options if you find it is not working to suppress the RA symptoms or you really can't cope with the side effects, although it may take a while to sort out what works for you. Keep going and look to the future. Hope you get on OK.