Hi. I'm 17 years old and I'm starting methotrexate next week and I'm verry worried about the side effects. Would you recomend the injection or the oral pills? Pros and cons? And do you feel bad in the beging of taking the methotrexate and does it get better with time? Would be nice to know what to expect. Grateful for answers!
Hi Natalia, love your photo! I think you are worrying too much. Not everyone suffers with side affects and your age is a big plus for tolerance. Just see how it goes after a few weeks and you can report back to your specialist. All the best.
Hey Natalia,
Do not worry! Everyone reacts differently - I've been on Methotrexate since age 15 (I'm now 24) on quite a high dosage (20mg) and have never experienced some of the side effects that people speak of on here, so don't worry too much! As for tablets or injections - whichever works for you. I started on tablets and had no side effects, well, no effects at all! They just didn't work for me. And the injection pens are far better in my opinion than pre-filled syringes, but your doc will know what is the best option for you.
I have now gotten used to experiencing the side effects I get (mainly nausea on injection day), and I have learned how to deal with it so it does get better.
Best wishes!
Hi Natalia
I've only been on Methotrexate for 5 weeks and was very apprehensive beforehand. I experienced mild nausea for a couple of days after I took the mtx but I have hardly noticed it this week. And the strange 'brain fog' I had to begin with has disappeared completely.
So, yes, the symptoms definitely improve over time. And as you're young you will probably have minimal side effects. Good luck with it
Hi Natalia, Methotrexate is the first med drs try to see if it helps.. Everyone reacts differently but ive researched that as long as you be sure to take the prescribed folic acid with this (methotrexate depletes this causing much nausia) and drink a good amt of water with these (1 to 2 cups)..you may have better results..do make sure you have a multi vitamin and healthy eating habits(carefully limit or omit sugars, milk, soy, gluten and other food sensitivities) and get plenty of rest, these things all make the MTX better also. The little tablets sometimes are said to affect digestion and stomach upset but plenty of water and not on an empty stimach should tske care of that possibility. My RA dr says any side effects are the same whether it be with the tiny tablets or injection. Why go with injections if you dont need to! The med does lower your immune system so thats why i have recommended taking very good care of your health, keep stress to a minimum, and plenty of sleep (10 to 11 hrs is recommended nighly if you have daily pain you need to manage..if you feel worse on this med and or new symptoms appear, this could be a sign this is toxic for you, and another, such as a biologic may be tried. I myself am much older than you, but could not take the methotrexate. For me, because it compromises the immune system, found it triggered much more body pain, and other secondary infections.i am 55 yrs old. If you feel sick, have more body joint or muscle pain or find it is not doind enough to help, be sure to let your dr know, as these are allergic or toxuc reactions, as it says in the literature that comes with this meducation from your pharmacist.
Hi Natalia,
Bless you. Sometimes the anxiety of taking it can be worse than the side effects. I would say when you start your medication take it day by day and any side effects you may experience pop on this site (doesn't matter how silly they seem) and advice will come your way 😊 I wish you luck and you may be one of the lucky ones who doesn't get side effects. Lisa x ☀️☀️
Hi Natalia. I have just been prescribed methotrexate for rhuematiod arthritis. took my first dose of 15mg on Saturday followed by 5mg of folic acid on Monday. prior to this, I had a steriod injection 3wks ago which helped reduce my pain but last night had massive flare-up in my arms and still in extreem pain now. I have felt nausia since Saturday but have been working and coping but not today. I cant even get dressed. I dont know if this is a reaction to the drug! I too have concerns about the side effects but need to give this a chance as it works on the desease and not just suppressing the pain
The MTX takes about 12 weeks to have any effect. And if you have a problem with nausea and only take Folic acid once a week, the Consultants usually suggest taking 5mg of Folic acid on the days when you don't take MTX, it helps a lot [with the nausea]
Some people take the MTX just before they go to bed, so that you are asleep when the nausea strikes.
Do you know what dose you are going to start on?
I took MTX for 18 months and seldom suffered from nausea and it wasn't very bad.
Hi Maggie. Yeah I'm probably are worrying to much, it's just a bit overwhelming. I will! Thanks for your answer! Best wishes!
Hi Melanie! Oh okay, that's good! After reading so many negative experience with MTX here I was a little worried. The doctor told me I could choose whatever I wanted, so not sure what is best. I get to choose between tablets and pre-filled syringes. I take a lot of other tablets so I thought it would be better with injections, but I really don't know. Thanks for your answer! All the best.
Hi Dinah. That's good that they improve over time! I'm most worried about that I already have a very weak immune system and I am very sensitive to medications.. But hopefully it will be fine. Thanks for your answer! x
Hi Cheria! Thank you so much for your answer! I'm most worried about that I already have a very weak immune system and I am very sensitive to medications.. I already get sick a lot even though I eat verry healthy and take care of my body. Stress and anxiety is a big problem for me, so I'm a little bit worried that my anxiety will get worse with the mtx, but I hope not. I have problem sleeping at night because of the pain, so I really hope that the mtx will help with that. I have tried other mediciations but got ulcers so I had to switch. Oh okay, I hope you feel better now!! Thank you for taking the time to answer me, it really helped! Best wishes
Hi Lisa! Yeah I have some problems with anxiety so you're probably right. I will try to take it day by day like you said. Thank you! Hope your well!
All the best x
Hi! Oh I'm sorry to hear that! I hope you're feeling better!! I will definitely give it a shot and hope that it will work. Thanks for your answer!
Hi mrs Mop. Thanks for the information, it helped a lot! I will definitely try that. I have not gotten to know the exact dose yet, my doctors are still discussing about it. But I have been on a chest x-ray yesterday and they took lot of blood tests, so get I will get informed on Monday! Oh okay, that's good! Thanks for your answer! Best wishes.
Hi Natalia, just quick update. My specialist doc got back to me this afternoon. I explained what had happened last night and today, she asked if i were taking anything for the pain! Bottom line, I can take ibubrufen upto 400mg and paracetamol upto 400mg or both together. Its ok to take these until the methotrexate kicks in which could be anything upto 12wks. I was worried about toxidity but its ok to take these short term.!! I have now taken the ibubrufen and getting some releif after 24hrs of sheer pain. Hope you are gaining some confidence from his forum.
Hi Natalia,
I noticed re the above you are worried about ulcers. I had these briefly at first but gargled with diluted tea tree oil and got a medicated mouthwash and used an antibiotic steroid cream for ones on my hands and.....tra la de da! ... Not had a problem since. If you do get ulcers I am happy to give you more info but keep positive and hopefully you won't get them 😊☀️ Lisa x
Hi Lisa,
Yeah I got pretty bad stomach ulcers so now I take tabletts for that too. I just hope it doesn't come back again with the mtx. Thank you for the information!😊 Hope you had a nice day!
I had a great day. I accidentally ordered 4 tubs of ice cream instead of 2 on my weekly shopping 😂😂😂 Lisa x
I've been on it for three weeks along with other meds that reduce the immune system. I take meds to protect my stomach and folic acid daily that helps with side effect. The side effects seem to be warring off (drink water and painkillers for headache, deep breaths for sickness, mouth spray for dry mouth). I am going to give it some time and weigh up the pro's and con's as to whether to change to injections. Just had first blood test (very important) as started methrotrexate (had to do this with sulfasalazine as well every 2 weeks, then every 4 weeks, building up to every 12 weeks) HAVE to have regular tests, you will be given a patient record book to keep results in. Listen to YOUR body and do what's best for YOU. Good luck.