Hi Everyone...
Just wondering what you think I should do. I have been on mtx for 16 months and the last few months have been self injecting 20mg weekly, I know it is helping as when I stopped for a few weeks the pain got much worse although I do still rely on painkillers a lot and cant sleep because of the pain in my shoulder. Anyway I think the 20mg is too powerful for me as within a few hours of taking it I literally cant keep my eyes open, my speech is slurred and I really cant function properly for about 3 days. Im only 6 and a half stone and think maybe its too strong for my system... I was ok on 15mg. Do you think its worth ringing rheumo dept or does anyone else feel like this? Maybe im overeacting any help would be great as I feel really down about it all. Thanks off for a doze now Ceri xx

So sorry you are feeling so rough. I certainly think you should contact your rheumy nurse. We all react in different ways to the drugs and they need to know what is happening. Good luck and take care.
Sue

Hi Ceri

Most definitely seek medical advice promptly. I had a lot of problems with methotrexate early this year and I have learned from my experiences that this is a medication one does not dilly dally with. Extreme tiredness as you describe would seem to be more than you might expect and slurred speech is a worry. My problems, although different to yours, were caused by an increase from 10mg to 15mg, I too was okay on the lower dose.

Do get checked out!


Lyn x

P.S. Methotrexate does not offer direct pain relief as it is an anti inflammatory but perhaps a review of your painkillers might be worthwhile. Being in constant pain is very wearing in itself and with the availability of a wide choice of pain relief there should be something out there to do the job! Good luck!

Hello Ceri,

Sorry to hear that things are not well with you.

You are the best person who knows your body, so I def would ring the Rhummy
nurse and see what she says. It will do no harm and you will get the answers.

Let us know how you do

Rose

get an O.T to write a plan /rotine for you .So day is planed with compleate rests done while having coffee
etc ( the way you sit ) christine

Hi Ceri,

I know I've come into this discussion a bit late but I too had an issue on 20mg of mtx. I was soooo tired I slept all day and night, only got up for a drink and a wee then back to bed. I felt dizzy, nauseous and basically rubbish for 3 days every week for 3 weeks until I rang my rheumy nurse as I was going on hols and didnt want to feel like that for 3 days out of 7! She told me to reduce to 15 mg.

She did mention that it doesn't matter how big or small you are as to what dosage you are on. She knew a 18st builder that could only tolerate 10mg mtx.

I hope this helps you. It helped me (sort of)

Lxx

Ceri,

I hope this other drug helps. Are you staying on Mtx and mixing or coming off mtx?

Here's hoping for a burst of energy!!

Lxx

hi Ceri,

i'm still not under control with my Methorexate yet having been on it since June 17th 15mg then upped it to 20mg 8 weeks ago, although my CRP has improved.

i go for my next Hospital appointment on the 30th of this month and i am wondering what they will add now.

let us know how you get on with the Sulfaslazine as and when ... hope it works for you.

Suzanne x

Ceri,

I am still on 15mg but they either want to mix it with hydroxychloraquine (which didnt work on its own) or change to Luthidamide! Or self inject - in other words they don't know!!

I tried sulfasalazine but was allergic.

Hope you have energy today!
Take care
Lxx