I’ve been prescribed methotrexate, but haven’t dared to take it yet because of the side effects. When you look it up on the Internet and see that it is toxic my anxiety goes up!
1). Weight loss/gain. Has it caused you to do either? Being overweight anyway, I don’t want to gain anymore!
2). Toxic body fluids. I’m assuming this warning is for high doses, but maybe not? Do I have to take precautions for my partner during sex? What about sweat, saliva etc etc…?
3). The nurse recommends I take it on a Friday night. Will I just be sick and bedridden all weekend?
4). Immune system. I work with children. Will it cause me to catch everything going around?
5). Liver problems. Has anyone here experienced this on this med?
Those are my tops concerns right now. Thank you all in advance. New meds, paired with anxiety and panic disorder are not a good combo for the mind!
I felt the same before taking but have been using for 7 months and the only problems I have had are:
Headaches - were bad at first but have now gone away
Tiredness on day after dose
No weight loss or gain or any other side effects.
Absolutely no problems with liver function - my tests are always perfect.
Don’t be scared - it’s really not too bad. Isn’t working for me but definitely worth a try
1. I lost a bit of weight because it did cause me to feel nauseus alot. But I don't believe that it causes weight gain or loss specifically.
2. No. This is a non-issue at these doses.
3. Not necessarily. If you do it Friday night (or late afternoon) you'll sleep through most of anything. If you feel rough the day after the key thing is to make sure you're taking your folic acid and drinking LOTS of water. These minimise side effects.
4. We debate this regularly here. Personally I had no problems and I suspect this is what the majority find. You can help protect yourself with good healthy diet and sensible handwashing precautions. I also use a cold/flu defense nasal spray before going out or being around people. Had two minor colds in three and a half years ... probably less than before I had PsA.
5. Some have, some haven't. Don't stress it. Your regular blood tests will monitor liver function and if it goes skewed then your dose is reduced or stopped long before permanent damage is done. The liver will recover and regenerate.
Looking up methotrexate on the internet is enough to give anyone the collywobbles. There again, I might do a search for 'aspirin' in a minute & find out how many people it has killed or laid low. Carrots really are dangerous in excessive quantities .....
I'm not really comparing methotrexate to aspirin or to carrots either. It is a relatively strong drug. It's just that the internet concentrates the bad news and the sensational news until it seems like the only news. "I took Methotrexate for PsA at maximum dose for 3 years, it helped a lot and I had no side effects whatsoever" really is not internet fodder.
Some people do not get on with it very well due to persistent side effects. However, it often seems that nausea and headaches etc. pass after the first few weeks. And many people, myself included, do not have any side effects at all.
I found it to be a very effective drug in many ways. I was in dire straits and Mtx pretty much rescued me. You can see why I'm trying to put the record straight! I took it for nearly 3 years and for me personally it was a 'feel good' drug as well apparently halting joint damage.
I had hoped to take Mtx alongside Humira but my ALT (liver enzymes) did start to rise so I was taken off it. But the good news about the potential for liver damage is that the monitoring blood tests should pick up changes well before damage is done.
Main advice we see here re. Mtx = give it a go, drink plenty of water (very important - really helps!), go for injections instead of pills if nausea's a problem.
I am new to methotrexate -am at the end of my 3rd week. I am miserably tired for a couple days afterward. I have nausea the morning I take it, but am fine by the evening. I have lost a few pounds already but that should maybe not be factored in as I have been trying to lose a few pounds. I haven’t noticed any other side effects. I also haven’t noticed a change in my pain level - but the doc said that may take a while. I think it is worth the risk if it means I will be able to run and play with my daughter again
I don't have any of those things and I have been on it or years. It varies from person to person but the side effects are not necessary the way it will be. I mean NONE of those things.
Hi, I started taking methotrexate a Month ago, side effects were not that bad upset stomach and stomach tenderness, but my whole body was one open sore.. the sores were so bad I was embarrassed to leave the house, within two weeks my skins looks 80% better. Unfortunately it has no helped with the arthritis pain. Best of luck to you xoxox
