Hi Jan

MTX can take 3-4 months to kick in and become effective. Likewise the side effects should start to settle down once your body gets used to the medication. Everyone's so different though so it's a bit hit and miss. Are you taking folic acid? This helps to counteract the side effects and should help with the nausea etc. You should have been prescribed it. I used to take folic acid everyday except MTX day.

One way to deal with nausea is to nibble on ginger biscuits which seem to work well. Alternatively split your dose into 3 x 2.5 doses, a.m., p.m. and evening. and take with a large glass of water. Try to remain active once you've taken them, it will help the meds to metabolize through your system more quickly. Also, avoiding rich foods, curries that type of thing can help.

If all else fails perhaps you could consider MTX by injection which goes straight into the blood stream thereby avoiding the stomach.

If you do a 'post search' you will find lots of info on side effects and MTX, it's often up for discussion

Lyn x

I started taking methotrexate tablets (15mg) just before Christmas. Like you they made me feel terrible. I phoned the helpline after the second dose and they suggested taking 5mg folic acid every day except mtx day. This helped a lot but I was still feeling very sick for 48 hrs after each dose. I have just switched to injections (I did the first one on Monday) and it has been so much better. I felt slightly tired on Tuesday but haven't felt sick at all. I know it is early days but so far so good.

Jan

I am sorry you are feeling so bad on the Methotrexate. Do you take folic acid a couple of days after the Methotrexate? I was told that it acts like an anti-dote. I take my Methotrexate on a Saturday night so that I can have a good day on the Saturday and then rest up on the Sunday so I at least get some enjoyment out of the weekend. I then take 5mg of Folic Acid on the Monday and again on the Tuesday. It did take a few weeks for me to get used to it.

Jackie
xx