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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/13/2010 Posts: 118 Location: Shrivenham, Oxfordshire
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I started taking Methotrexate tablets about 6 weeks ago. I saw my rheumatology nurse practitioner today and explained that it had been making me feel sick and really knocking me out. She has suggested taking Methotrexate by injection instead. She said it can reduce a lot of the side effects. She said the reason they usually try tablets first is because injections are more hasstle (especially when you go on holiday - although there are ways round it ). I am hoping some of you can share your experiences and whether it really is more hasstle.  Thanks
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,006 Location: Timperley
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Hi - it's absolutely no hassle at all. I stopped the tablets because of the zonked out feeling and sickness. Since injecting I have been absolutely fine. The syringe itself comes pre-loaded and packed and is easy-peasy to use. Do it in your tum (pinch an inch if you can and pop it in) and you will hardly feel anything. Legs are more painful for some reason. I'm sure you will be fine.
Please let us know what you decide to do.
Love Jeanxxxxx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 263
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Hiya I inject and have no problems with it I was dreading having to do it at first . Most times i never feel the needle its so fine.
Its working a lot better than the pills did for me. You will be fine .
Kathleen Mc.
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/7/2009
Posts: 64
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Hi There I too am on 25mg by injection. Since I have been on injections I do not suffer from the side effects that the tablets gave me, however mine are not pre loaded with the needle on, the needle is separate so I have to take the top off the pre loaded syringe and then attach the needle.
Hope this helps
Regards
Val
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 714
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Hello
I thought I would never be able to inject myself. I do not have a phobia about needles but the thought of actually putting one into me made me feel very uneasy.
I first started injecting myself with Anti-TNF's with preloaded pens. They do sting a bit but are o.k. I then moved onto injectable methotrexate and what a difference. The needle is so fine you do not feel a thing. Unfortunately I could not stay on the Methotrexate injections as they were too toxic for me and have had to move back onto the tablets. I believe that your body absorbs the Methotrexate more readily by injection than by tablet. I think I was just unusual and I know many people have had great success with the injections.
I would definitely give it a go. They will send someone out to show you how to do it the first time.
Take care
Jackie
xx
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/13/2010 Posts: 118 Location: Shrivenham, Oxfordshire
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Thank you for your replies. I used to have a phobia of needles(panic attacks and fainting!) but since being diagnosed with RA I have got a lot better. I think I have got to give it a try. Having spent another 48 hours feeling sick and zonked out I can't keep going on like this. I am only taking 15mg but so far it has no effect on CRP levels and I'm not feeling any benefits either, therefore I will have to increase the dose (which if I don't switch to injections will probably increase the side effects).
Thank you again for your replies - I'll let you know how I get on.
Becky
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/5/2010 Posts: 364 Location: mid glamorgan
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Hi Becky
I inject 20mg methotexate and its not too bad I still feel very tired for a couple of days after it though but dr and rheummy nurse insist ,its not the injection causing tiredness but the RA! Good luck xx
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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/12/2010
Posts: 1
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ceri44 wrote:Hi Becky
I inject 20mg methotexate and its not too bad I still feel very tired for a couple of days after it though but dr and rheummy nurse insist ,its not the injection causing tiredness but the RA! Good luck xx Hi Becky Changed from tablet format to injection because of the side effects. Although extremily apprehensive I attended the monitoring clinic for injection (a distance of 25 miles weekly). The improvement in side effects was extremily benificial so after six months I started to self inject and was helped by a specialist nurse the whole process has been very benificial and not at all difficult although recentely I have injected last thing before bed and I am not to sure how other members inject and at what time of the day. Maybe members would like to comment as this does seem to help with fatigue or is it all in the mind!! Good luck kenw 
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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/13/2011
Posts: 2
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Hi I've just started to self-inject after a couple of years on tablets as my consultants said they've not doing as well as he had hoped and the injections have much better results. So I have done it twice so far once at the hospital where they showed me how to do it and once at home since, its real easy although it takes a while making sure everythings sterile around you! I dont really feel anything much in the stomach when you inject although you can feel it a little afterwards funnily enough. I have felt nauseous afterwards but just increased my folic acid tablets and its not too bad. Its certainly a lot less painful than the Humira injections I also do every 2 weeks in my thighs which hurt like hell although its only for a few seconds! Having read the other comments i may try that one in my tum also. Hope alls going well, Sue
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 838 Location: Nottinghamshire
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It looks like I will be going down the injection route. RA not too good at the moment and after talking to one of my specialist nurses I have decided, if the consultant agrees (seeing him beginning of March) to give it a whirl. Have been told by nurse that the full dose may not be getting into my system by taking tablets, some of the dose might get lost and if it is injected them we can be 100% certain that I am getting the full dose.
The thought of injecting myself at the moment doesn't really bother me, might be a different story when I have to do it mind you. Have enquired about taking it with me when I go and see daughter Julie in Gibraltar and the nurse told me that the people who deliver it have information on airlines and their policies about taking needles onto planes. She did say though that I could just take it in tablet form so I wouldn't then have the hassle of getting letters etc. So that sounds the best option there.
Had to laugh at what Jean said about doing it in your tum and 'pinching an inch' Wish I only had one inch to pinch.............I've got several!!!!!
Paula x
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/13/2010 Posts: 118 Location: Shrivenham, Oxfordshire
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Thank you for all your comments. It has made me feel much better about it. I am getting my first delivery on Friday and then going to the hospital a week Monday to learn how to do it. I am still a bit apprehensve abot doing it myself, but I'm sure once I get into it, it will be fine.
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/13/2010 Posts: 118 Location: Shrivenham, Oxfordshire
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A huge box was delivered yesterday. They suply everything - including the plasters and cotton wool. I did have a laugh at the size of the spillage kit. Considering there is only 6ml in each syringe they have provided
A large clinical bin (about 18' x 12' x 6')
a face mask
shoe covers
sleeve covers
apron
protective glasses
10 large cloths
2 waste bags (yellow bin liners)
a large tub of soak up granules
Tweezers
Oh well - I guess it is better to err on the side of caution!
Off to the hospital for training Monday
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
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Crikey!!!!  This has to be a clinic kit surely? All I get with my Enbrel is 8 ready filled phials of Enbrel with needles attached and 16 swabs! I get a new sharps bin every 3 months or so! Think you need to check you've got the right kit before you go any further! Did you tell them you are prone to accidents or something!!!! You need an extra room for this lot!!  Lyn x
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/5/2010 Posts: 364 Location: mid glamorgan
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Hi Becky
Good luck with the injections, Ive gone back to the tablets now as the injections were too toxic for me and making me sleep all the time.. Think you definitely have had the wrong kit, I only had a small sharps box! Good luck let us know how you get on xx
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/13/2010 Posts: 118 Location: Shrivenham, Oxfordshire
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The first thing the rheumy nurse said to me when I arrrived for my training today was "did you receive a huge spillage kit?". Apparently Bupa healthcare insist on sending one because they class methotrexate as cytotoxic (because it is a chemotherapy drug). She laughed and said that the quantity we use for RA could be adequately mopped up with a couple of cotton wool balls and put in the sharps bin. I told her I had put it in the garage and she thought that was probably the best place for it. Anyway the training was fine - I was suprised how easily I did it. The thought of it is deffinately worse than doing it. She also gave me a steroid injection while I was there as my CRP levels have been kreeping up and I have been feeling very stiff in the mornings recently and my wrists and ankles have been keeping me awake at night. Hopefully that will keep it at bay until the MTX kicks in. Becky
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 838 Location: Nottinghamshire
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I may be starting taking MTX by injection, just want to know if the injections are delivered monthly (like how we get them from the chemist), or do they deliver larger quantities? Also and I know that this sounds silly, but is it obvious from the looks of the van (sign writing on it), that something medical is being delivered? I just don't want neighbours knowing my business, I have visions of the net curtain twitching brigade doing overtime.
Paula
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
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Hi Paula,
Are you getting your drugs from Healthcare at Home?
I get humira from them, they deliver 2 months supply and no, they don't have any logos displayed on the van! That's good isn't it, I'm like you, I don't want to advertise the fact that I'm having drugs delivered!
With healthcare at home they give you a date for the delivery and you can go on line the evening before and get a 2 hour time slot and they always deliver within that time.
Hope that's helpful to you.
Love, Doreen xx
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 838 Location: Nottinghamshire
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Thanks for your quick reply Doreen. All I know is the nurse did say that it would be delivered to me. Not sure yet if I will be going down that route yet anyway. Just after Christmas I wasn't doing too well, got called in by the nurse and the injection route was mentioned. Went back to see her and agreed to it, but because I knew I was due to see the consultant, I said I would wait for his opinion. Seeing him early next month. I do now feel a little better so not sure what to do or what he will say. Just pleased to see it will be delivered in plain van, sounds like when you order naughty things and they arrive in a brown paper parcel. Not that I have!!!!! Paula x
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
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You seem to know about the brown paper though Paula! I always put "Drugs drop" on the calendar for delivery day! 
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
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Some of the Healthcare at Home guys are rather nice too  Drugs drop , nice one!
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