Hi Maggie,

No-one can answer that question because we all react differently to the drugs and there is no set pattern I'm afraid.
Some people have bad side effects at 7.5mg, others can take 25mg without noticing it!
So it's just a wait and see game, but I hope you manage to tolerate each increase without any untoward effects.

Love, Doreen xx

I take 25mg Maggie and have no side effects apart from some hair loss. You will not necessarily be sick, I have never been.

Eleanor x

Hi Maggie,

I've taken MTX for about 30 years and don't suffer side effects, not everyone does, hopefully you'll tolerate it too.

Wow, I must say that's given me a lot of hope! I read a variety of forums before I started and to all intents and purposes thought I'd be laid out on my back for two days a week with a bucket tied around my neck. This makes me feel a lot better

Damned 76 - is that any reference to the group? I love the Damned!

Hi Maggie

I was on 10mg Methotrexate for 10 years or more with no particular side effects but when it was increased to 15mg I started to feel sick and generally unwell the day after taking it. Fiddled about taking it in two lots 12 hours apart which cut the side effects but now its decided it'll knock my neutrophil count for six. I'm off it for at least a while .... so good to get a rest from the blithering stuff, although a few weeks down the line my joints may not agree!!! Ah well, such is life!

As others have said we are all different in how we tolerate the drugs. It's kind of suck it and see really!
Good luck Maggie, but I wouldn't worry about it. Be positive, all will be well!

Lyn x

Hi Maggie,

I take 15mg each Saturday night, and apart from feeling tired on Sunday and slightly nauseous for a while I don't have and never have had any problems. Hope the same applies to you. You have to watch in the sun though, take care and all the best in the coming months. Lorna xx

Thanks for the incredibly helpful advice everyone. It's put my mind at rest no end. I really was worried sick (pardon the pun) about it. Turns out I may be worrying about something quite trivial as they've now told me I may have to stop taking it!

I mentioned at a rheumy nurse appointment yesterday that for 2-3 days after taking it I feel a little tight-chested and develop a dry, sore throat. As I'm an ex legal secretary who used to deal with health-related insurance I'm quite anal about reading the information provided with the drug and whatever else I can find through research. Plus I learned my lesson after the sulfasalazine turned my skin into something resembling overripe pomegranete fruit. I knew it could be nothing or something so I mentioned it and lo and behold they're maintaining me on 12.5mg to see whether this happens again. If it does I'm off them for good.

At this rate there'll be nothing left for me to take!

Just to say that if the mtx makes you feel sick (as it did me) you can have the injectable version which bypasses the stomach. I started on this 4 weeks ago and haven't had a single side effect since (fingers crossed!). Anoher ex legal sec here - and Tabbycat (Carol)
xxxx