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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2010 Posts: 153 Location: Kent
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Hello Hope you are all having a nice weekend. Just wondered whether anyone experiences symptoms from MTX, I've been on MTX injections since the end of March and have been ok but the last fews weeks I've had a really bad upset stomach and felt a bit odd and lightheaded a couple of days after the injection, so I'm wondering if it is that which is causing it? Does anyone else have any problems? Lou xx I love people who can make you smile even when you do not feel like smiling. x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/25/2010 Posts: 1,289 Location: Buckinghamshire
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hi Louise,
sorry can't help you with this one,
but i thought taking Methotrexate by injection was easier on the stomach so perhaps a call to your Rheumy Nurse might be a good idea.
Suzanne x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/28/2011 Posts: 956 Location: North Preston
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Hi Lou
I have been on mxt for 9 years and have never experienced stomach problems. I did, however, have light headed incidents when changed to injections so came off them. Rheummy doctor said she had never heard of that before on mxt so it was unlikely to be that. I was on beta blockers at the time, which lower your blood pressure and pulse, so more likely to be that. I came off beta blockers and went back to mxt tablets and have had no more problems so I don't know which one caused it. Probably the beta blockers. I would be interested to know what your rheummy team says.
Sheila x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 2,127 Location: Thornton Cleveleys
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Hi Louise I haven't had MTX injections but do recall a couple of people finding the injections too strong for them (as it goes directly into the bloodstream and nothing is lost through the digestive process) and experiencing side effects similar to those you describe. Looking at your start date it would be around now that the full whack will be starting to take effect so perhaps the amount you're on is a little strong, maybe? Are your blood tests okay? Lyn x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2010 Posts: 153 Location: Kent
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Well this is whats concerns me because I changed to injections because i couldn't tolerate the tablets, I have the mtx clinic on the 16th so i'll see how it is over the next few weeks. I had a blood test last week which i need to ring tomorrow to get the results. Thank you for your help Lou x I love people who can make you smile even when you do not feel like smiling. x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/13/2010 Posts: 118 Location: Shrivenham, Oxfordshire
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Hello Louise I started on mxt tablets last December but stopped after a few weeks as feeling very sick. I switched to injections which was fine for about 7 - 8 weeks but then I gradually started feeling queasy and had headaches. I was only taking 15 mg and wasn't getting adequate control so the original plan was to up mxt but we decided not to and I have now switched to leuflunomide. So far so good but I'm not counting my chickens yet.
Becky
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/28/2011 Posts: 956 Location: North Preston
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Hi Louise
Another thought! How much folic acid are you taking? That is to help ease side effects. Worth asking your nurse if you could increase it. I know several people who have and it has worked for them. Good luck
Sheila x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/5/2010 Posts: 364 Location: mid glamorgan
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Hi Louise, Ive changed back and fore between the tablets and the injections since I started mtx 2 years ago! The tablets cause terrible headaches and nausea and the injections make me so tired and lightheaded I dont know what to choose for the best! I do find the injections are more powerful as they go straight into the bloodstream. Hope your blood results are ok and you get some answers from mtx clinic.. Love Ceri xx
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2010 Posts: 153 Location: Kent
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Thanks for your advice, I will keep an eye on it. When do you take your folic acid? Ive been taking one tablet on a Wednesday morning , then i do my injection on a Thursday evening then i take another folic acid on a Saturday morning. Is that similar to what everyone else does? Thanks Lou x I love people who can make you smile even when you do not feel like smiling. x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2010 Posts: 153 Location: Kent
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Thanks for your advice, I will keep an eye on it. When do you take your folic acid? Ive been taking one tablet on a Wednesday morning , then i do my injection on a Thursday evening then i take another folic acid on a Saturday morning. Is that similar to what everyone else does? Thanks Lou x I love people who can make you smile even when you do not feel like smiling. x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/28/2011 Posts: 956 Location: North Preston
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Hi Lou
I take mxt on thursday evening, 1 folic acid the morning after and 1 on tuesday. I think it is better to leave a day free either side of taking mxt so it doesn't interfere with the efficacy of the mxt.
Sheila x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 2,127 Location: Thornton Cleveleys
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Hi again Louise I have just re-started Methotrexate after a year off and have again been put on 5mg folic acid every day except mtx day. The reason being to help redress the folate balance which in turn may help control possible effects (previously taken for 6/7 years with no side effects). When I asked about the effect this might have on the uptake of the mtx (only on 7.5mg at the moment due to serious problems previously) and therefore it's efficacy I was advised that yes it could make a slight difference but negligible in the whole scheme of things. Lyn x
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Rank: Advanced Member
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Joined: 4/12/2011 Posts: 79
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Bit embarrased to ask this...but here goes.. Is it possible to get a little blood in your stools with MTX. I suspect that every couple of days there is a little blood there?
I don't feel unwell in any other way like upset stomach or intestine and am eating normally.
- Darshin 15mg MTX then 10mg Folic acide next day + 2x daily hydroxy.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
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Hi Darshin,
Whether it's caused by the mtx or not, you should get this checked out asap! Blood in the stools should be checked by your GP, so make an appointment to see him. Hope it settles down soon.
Doreen xx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/28/2011 Posts: 956 Location: North Preston
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Hi Darshin
Doreen is right. It is really, really important that you get it checked out immediately. Good luck
Sheila x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2010 Posts: 1,749 Location: Somerset
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/12/2011 Posts: 79
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I am seeing my Rhuem specialist on Friday and was aiming to bring it up with him then.
- Darshin
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/28/2011 Posts: 956 Location: North Preston
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Hi Darshin
I don't think you should wait for rheummy. This is a GP problem. If it is caused by rheummy drugs that's one thing but certainly your GP will send you for other tests which need to be done asap.
Sheila x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/5/2010 Posts: 364 Location: mid glamorgan
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Hi Darshin I agree with the others definitely go to the drs.. Let us know how you get on.. Good luck. x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/12/2011 Posts: 79
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Hi everyone. My earlier reported issue has cleared up it seems. The specialist consultant was also not concerned too much.
Diff query re: MTX does anyone get heartburn with it? Does MTX need to be taken with food or just glass of water anytime?
I took it yesterday on empty stomach with glass of water and quite bit of stomach pain/heartburn.
- Darshin
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