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...

2,179 Members
16,355 Posts
0 Online
Muscles & Bones
/ Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

migraines? triggered by meds?

magienoire
magienoire
Hello, I am wondering if anyone has experienced migraines either from your RA meds or from the disease RA itself? I never had this problem until about 9 months into my treatment. I'm on MTX and Orencia, and I now get migraines several times a month. My docs don't seem to be too worried about it but it's really quite bothersome.
MarleneJ
MarleneJ
I got severe migraines after I got RA. I used to throw up 50-60 times, and later I learned because of another med I was on, I could have died of a heart attack due to electrolyte imbalance.

The source of mine was meds. Between the prednisone and the oral mthx, my stomach was ruined. It took me a long time to figure out my stomach had been damaged, and I had to stop eating anything acid. I also starting taking Glutabolic Acid with meals, which helped a lot.

It took me a few years to recover, and getting onto injectable mthx and a biologic so I didn't need prednisone, but I mostly recovered.

My stomach is still very sensitive, I have to take Prevacid daily. I get the occasional migraine, but nothing like the daily killers I had for almost 5 years.

Of course, there are many causes for migraines. You might need to see a neurologist to get help. And do NOT take Topamax, if offered. I lost 5 years of memory to that neurological drug.
carrottop50
carrottop50
I too got migraines after I got RA... I was told by my doctor that blood vessel problem from an autoimmune disease can cause migraines.
beechfeet
beechfeet
I have had migraines since adolescence,mostly triggered by environment,weather. The DMARDS prescribed triggered them for me & were very intense, had to discontinue the meds.
I've had some health issues associated with autoimmune since my 20's but did not get diagnosed until I was 55. After reading the posts before mine now wondering if that's a part of it also.
Marlene- have had a sensitive stomach for some years but after the Rituxan infusions got very bad and have had to take Prilosec every since, avoid rich,spicy,foods and appetite completely altered. I've tried searching to find out what steroids do to the GI tract but no luck. Anywhere you know of I can find that info?
jslittlegirlie
jslittlegirlie
I have had headaches most of my life, but the migraines did not start until the RA really flared up 2 years ago. I am not on any medication yet so the headaches are not medication related.
altoclef
altoclef
I'm not clear on the difference between a migraine and a headache.

Enbrel gave me severe headaches for about half of each week. That was one reason I discontinued it.
sammyo1
sammyo1
Hate headaches of any kind. Migraines are in no way your typical headache. Had them on & off for years.
MTX gave me nasty headaches & made me flat out sick.
Enbrel caused more of a sinus type.
Thus far nothing from Orencia.
I have no doubt RA can cause problems there.
Any current headaches are primarily from the neck & nerves now.
As I say so often here my heart goes out to you.
I mean every word of it. Very difficult to deal with.
Sammy