I just did my second dose this week and split the dosage. I did MUCH better then last week. Nausea is under control with being off coffee and I am not so fatigued. I don't feel like jogging but am planning on taking my dog off the couch to the dog park. Plan to keep trying MTX. My joint swelling is down in my knuckles but I am still in some pain about a level 6 so I just have to keep moving. Motion is Lotion as my personal trainer friend always tells me.

For me, the difference between pills and the injection was night and day. Mthx pills helped ruin my stomach. They were barely being absorbed. Although I got over the nausea in about 6 weeks with the pills, my stomach issues got worse and worse until I ended up with stomach ulcers.

When I complained to my RD, he admitted the injections would be easier on my stomach, and probably work better. I can't fathom why he didn't give them to me years before.

The needle was easy, no pain. And if you want to use two needles, you could split the dosage I suppose, but I would check before doing it. I had been on pills for 5 years, when I switched, so there was no side effects at all, except for my stomach gradually getting better.

The injections are easy to give, and easy to carry with if you are traveling. I hope it works for you. I think my RD said something about less than 20% of the pills were absorbed, whereas pretty much all of the injection is absorbed.

MTX pills don't just cause nausea but can cause ulcers. I switched to shots to stop the ulcer formation that I'd had with NSAIDs and Prednisone. Stopped the nausea but I still, after 10 years of shots, get diarrhea about 36 hours after the shot. I know it's coming so I am prepared and ready for it...no big deal anymore. And no more ulcers!

Jen

I started MTX injections 4 weeks ago, on 25 mg a week. I actually feel better although the fatigue can be unpredictable. I think most of the fatigue is the RA rather than the MTX.

And like Jen, I gets the trots about 36 hours. But I feel cleaned out. lol I take mine on Tuesday morning and wed I feel zapped. But I rather have one bad day than 7.

Injections are much better, however, I just didn't do good on that med. Just to many other stomach issues. So I stopped taking it and just take remicacade. Some people do good with it. Everyone is different.
But if it works for you, injections are the way to go.
Good luck

I had no side effects from injected MTX, and it doesn't hurt going in, like Enbrel and Kinaret do. I would definitely recommend the injections over the pills.