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rosie1157
#1 Posted : Sunday, February 13, 2011 8:31:17 PM Quote
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Joined: 9/30/2010
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Location: St. George, Bristol
Hello

I am taking 12.5mg Methotrexate weekly and 2000mg Sulfasalazine daily. Also take Meloxicam I have stopped taking Prednisalone because of headaches and general malaise and also very sore eyes. My hair seems to be thinning and I have dreadful mouth ulcers and feel generally unwell after taking methotrexate. I am taking tablet form and wondered if anyone else has similar symtoms after taking tablet methotrexate? They do seem to make a differnce to my hands but pain in my feet is bad.

I was wondering about side effects of injections - are they as bad as tablets. Has anyone tried both?

Thanks

Rosie
Rosie
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Maria_R
#2 Posted : Sunday, February 13, 2011 9:20:06 PM Quote
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hi Rosie.
I'm on exactly the same meds as you!!! How long have you been on the mtx?
I started the mtx last may after the sulf wasn't working so well. The only side effects I got at first were slight nausea and a bit of hair loss but that improved as time went on.
However- in the last few months- well- since I had a so called stomach bug just before Christmas i've been getting stomach problems such as being sick and having no appetite. This has happened 3 times since Christmas, two on the day after taking mtx. I've started to feel nauseous quite a lot. I've also had bowel problems (won't go into details). I saw my gp twice- the second time he sent me to the gastroenterologist as he wanted to sort out the bowel probs first: seems it's most likely ibs. His general opinon was that the mtx shouldn't suddenly start causing problems but I'm not convinced. My rheummy told me to stop taking the meloxicam so i did for a while but occasionally take it if the pain flares up. I'm beginning to wonder if that is causing my stomach problems, combined with the mtx.
Also over the last few months I've been getting more flares and pain especially in my hands. I keep putting that down to stress both at work and family life!
all in all, I'm not having a good time of it at the moment.There's so much to take in about having RA (I've had it for 3 yrs) and just as I think things are settled something else kicks off! I don't think I'll ever get my head round it all.
I'm due to see my rheummy next month so will ask him about it all.
Hae you got a helpline you can ring to speak to the rheummy nurse? They will be able to give you some advice.

Take care

Maria x
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Mandy_M
#3 Posted : Monday, February 14, 2011 8:36:48 AM Quote
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I changed over to the injections, as the tablets had become a problem. Although I had had no experience of injections, and feared the whole thing, I found I can tolerate the MTX much better now (I still write off the day after, and plan an 'at home' day).

As to the hair loss, I was such it was happening. But, for me, it never became a big problem, and one day I relalised that I hadn't noticed any extra hair on the brush or in tht shower for ages, and so it must have been a short lived loss.

Take care off yourself
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rosie1157
#4 Posted : Monday, February 14, 2011 7:48:24 PM Quote
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Location: St. George, Bristol
Hi Maria

I was diagnosed Oct 2010 so am a newbie really. I spoke to rheummy nurse today and will probably try methotrexate injections. I have steroid by injection (not self administered) and dont appear to have side effects and having to inject myself with methotrexate doesnt bother me. I saw the physio today and have appt with Orthotics end of the month. Some days everything seems to go well nad then you have a 'blip'. My eyes are now really dry and sore and I am having some problems swallowing food. I guess its all connected somehow. I was shocked when they diagnosed RA - I thought I had thyroid probs!! Tiredness - well I put that down to getting a bit older. This forum is great though - there is always someone willing to talk to you and share experiences and advice so when I feel low I know there are friends out there.

I have been given a Blue Badge so that makes life a bit easier. I only had to wait two weeks for it, so consider myself very lucky indeed. I really appreciate your reply.
I'll let you know how I get on.

Take care

RosieBigGrin
Rosie
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Brenda-I
#5 Posted : Tuesday, February 15, 2011 7:51:48 AM Quote
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Hi Rosie,
I'm on MTX but can only help with the hair loss problem and sore eyes.I suffered with hair loss on a daily basis and my rheumy nurse suggested I increase my Folic Acid from one a week to four.I take MTX on a Saturday then take one Folic Acid on Mon.Tues.Wed. and Thurs. It has definately helped and the hair loss has has been loads better and my hair has thickened up. Perhaps increasing your Folic Acid would help with your hair loss. Sore,dry eyes can be helped by using artificial tear drops such as Hypomellose which can be got on prescription, over the counter at chemists or from opticians.I use these and they do ease the soreness.Brenda.x
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dvear
#6 Posted : Tuesday, February 15, 2011 12:39:42 PM Quote
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I've just switched from mtx tablets to injections and I have to say I wish I'd done it ages ago. I take folic acid everyday apart from the injection day. I changed 'cos the tablets were making me sick and nothing seemed to work to stop it. I have to say I feel so much better for it and I'm not losing a day week to sickness. Smile

I'd say try it, you nothing to lose and potentially lots to gain - good luck.

Dawn.
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mel1
#7 Posted : Tuesday, February 15, 2011 6:55:31 PM Quote
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I have also been having problems but have recently doubled my folic acid to 2 a week which I take on a friday evening then on saturday evening I take 10mg of mtx
and sunday evening 10mg of mtx this seems to have cured my problems. These included mouth ulcers sickness and upset tum
Love Melanie
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