Has anyone who uses Methotrexate injections ever had a bad skin reaction round the site of the injection. I have a really red and painful raised patch on my thigh for two weeks now. I have had a couple of bad reactions once before which I asked about and was told to use antihistamine cream. they eventually disappeared but this one is really painful.
I was diagnosed 16 months ago and am now taking sulfasalazine and hydroxychloroquine as well as MTX injections. I have never felt better since the diagnosis apart from this sore skin reaction.

Now that's interesting. I was told by my rheumy nurse that assuming I was using good general personal hygiene it was was actually better to NOT use the alcohol wipe, that it was better for the natural bacterial flora to be present. And I read a medical research note on the web recently (can't remember where) that made the same suggestion. Reserve the swabs for when you are a bit grubby - after gardening for instance!

Couple other ideas:

1. Injection site.
Are you using your thigh out of preference? I found the tummy roll easier to pinch an inch and inject.

2. Withdrawal
The laws of physics kick in a bit here. If you press the plunger quickly and withdraw quickly, the pressure of the injection and the rapidity of the withdrawal may force some of the fluid back up the injection path and closer to the skin surface, especially if the area you inject is relatively fat free. So again - if like me you have a tummy roll ( I hesitate to suggest such a thing) - you might find that better.

Worth experimenting with? Others may have other ideas

Hope that helps

Linda - as well as withdrawing the needle more slowly, release the inch you pinched before you withdraw. That way, the pinch will have stopped applying any pressure that could force MTX back up the needle track.

thanks again......................followed your advice and injected into my tummy and so far so good..................no reaction yet.
Linda White

yea!good news linda,dorothy