Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

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Methotrexate beginner...:(

Jnyptn
Jnyptn
I have read several of the comments under the treatment Methotrexate. It seems the side effects are kind of all over the place. I have taken my second full dose, 13mg, Monday and have really felt crappy since then. This is month 2 of taking Methotrexate. My Rheumy eased me into the full dosage. I read that some feel bad the couple days after taking it. Today would be day 2. I just overall feel crappy. I feel as if I am getting a cold, headaches, fatigue, runny nose. Is this normal?
I also am taking Sulfasalazine 2 2x/day which is 2000mg daily. I went back to this dosage Monday also. I had backed off of the Sulfasalazine but my inflammation and fatigue increased. I would just really like to know if this is par for the course as something I need to deal with or...something else. I am feeling really discouraged today. Other meds I am on is Etodolac, Folic Acid. Any words of advice?
trishcorsi
trishcorsi
Hi there and welcome. Methotrexate takes several months to really kick in; you might notice some hair loss around the 4th month, but don't freak out there are pills to take care of that. Feeling crappy is part of the joy dontyaknow! Don't loose heart it does get better, truly it does. It is a lifelong deal but you will be fine. This forum will bring you enlightenment, laughs and all around knowledge. Welcome. Trish
altoclef
altoclef
Most of us get some degree of a hangover from MTX. You do get used to it. Can you take it when you have a bit of a break for a day or two after?
Indycarr
Indycarr
I'm on MTX injections - and even if you have a 'bad' side effect week don't despair! My MTX coma/fog - whatever you want to call it - seems to really differ week from week. I'll barely notice anything except a bit of dizziness for a couple weeks in a row, then I feel like I've been hit by a bus and end up being a slave to the couch for 12-24 hours - but that isn't often, and honestly when it happens, my body needed the rest anyway!

Know that the benefits outweigh this though... and hopefully yours will kick in quickly!
deleted_user
deleted_user
I feel like the methotrexate hits me harder when the RA symptoms are worse. When I'm not having pain/swelling as much, mtx just causes a little tiredness. When the symptoms are stronger, mtx knocks me down much harder. So the hope would be for you that as the mtx causes your RA symptoms to improve, it would also not make you feel so bad after you take it. I'll cross my fingers for you!

I've never taken the sulfasalazine before, so no input there. I hope you feel better soon :)
poodlemom
poodlemom
I am just like Indycarr, one week I take my injection and I have very little issues, other than maybe a little fatigue, nothing too bad. Then boom, I have a week where I feel like I was hit by a bus and everything in me hurts! This week was one of those. However I am finding that my feet and hands hurt way less in the mornings, so I think it is working. I have been on the injections since January.
JestersBaubles
JestersBaubles
I think the fatigue is par for the course. I have trouble differentiating between RA fatigue and MTX fatigue. I was taking my dose on Fridays, at my doc's recommendation. I finally moved it to Monday. I'd rather feel crummy at work than all weekend long :). FWIW, I am just starting to feel *almost* normal today. And last week, it didn't bother me at all. I do think I had a flare looming this week...
aggie83
aggie83
Heck, with this crazy weather year, you might just be suffering from that!

Remember, MTX depresses your immune system, so you are more susceptible to colds, allergies, etc. Maybe you have some MTX fog, combined with the 'spring pollen vortex' caused by delayed spring. I know I have been suffering a bit more this spring.

Overall, my main MTX side effects (loose stool that day, nausea, tiredness) leveled out and went away about the fourth month.... which is about when I started feeling 'ok' again.
deleted_user
deleted_user
When I started taking MTX (on Thursdays) I slept all day Sunday. That lasted for a couple of months and now it's not so bad. I know that taking 1000 mg folic acid daily helps keep the MTX side effects at bay so I make sure that I take that religiously.
cindyleb
cindyleb
Hi, I have been on mtx for 2 years now at 8 pills a week. I take mine on Friday night. On Sat. I am ok in the morning but a must is the afternoon nap with an occasional headache.
I agree with others that say the side effects get less the longer you have been on it, anyways it has for me.

Good luck and hope it all works out for you.
Cindy
Jnyptn
Jnyptn
Thanks everyone for the support and feedback. This is week 4 of taking MTX and the side effects seemed to have eased some. Last week I did feel bad again and actually had to take the day off work. As far as how I felt was better but the day off of work...big mistake...stress has been at an all time high since then. Not worth the day off to try to play catch up. Has anyone noticed how stress seems to affect RA? I am tired today but don't feel the flu-like symptoms I did when I posted this. I am very grateful for this forum and definitely appreciate the support. Seems the inflammation has increased the past couple days in my hands. Allergies may have played a part but I have been taking Zyrtec D for that. Anyone know of any interactions with that? I see my doctor in 2 weeks and need to remember to ask her that.
aggie83
aggie83
Stress definitely kicks my RA into high gear. Last year, while getting my house ready for sale I had some odd flares. Been living in a camper since then! Oh, yes, building a new house is stressful too.... can't wait til that is done in a month or two.

I also find that stress with a coworker or a family member ramps up the pain too. Over the past three years, I've been able to become less impacted by work stress by taking a more laid back approach.