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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tummy troubles - is this normal?

stephgas
stephgas
like there's any 'normal', right?

i took my first mtx dose on sunday evening, so we're about 3.5 days post-dosage. i've had mild nausea (sometimes a bit more than mild) on and off since taking the mtx. my bowel movements have been pretty normal (maybe a little soft) until today. (get ready for the TMI) today i have diarrhea, like watery diarrhea. i've needed the restroom almost once an hour since i woke up this morning. i don't really have any stomach/abdominal pain or cramping, but good gravy it's annoying. especially since i have a callback for a job in a couple of hours!

is it 'normal' to have these kinds of side effects days after dosing? i know i only take mtx once a week, so it must be doing SOMETHING those other six days. other than being tied to the potty, i feel pretty awesome today (compared to the last couple of days, so it's all relative). so the frequent need for the toilet is really frosting my cupcakes today.

also, slightly unrelated, i found all natural ginger candies at a sort-of local store. i almost can't wait for more nausea so i can try it! (isn't that messed up? lol)
Mari31
Mari31
I have been on MTX for about a month now. I still get slight nausea but it is not as bad as the first week. I also had the dairrhea after the first dose, but have not had it since. I had cramping and bloating for a couple of weeks, but it seems to be better now. Hope this gets better for you. Being stuck to the toilet is no fun:(
deleted_user
deleted_user
ginger candy works awesome on the nausea!! ginger tea too, I had some of the same problems but they gradually got better, now I have mild nausea and am very tired--so I take my pills at bed, the thing that bugs me most is the night after that I don't sleep ppppfffttt it has helped the pain so much tho I can't really complain and the side effects are manageable
Grandpa2one
Grandpa2one
Mtx did the same to me at first but has tappered off. Now the worse that happens is the day after (I take them on Sunday night at 9;00 PM) I sleep all day Monday.. Not bad, I guess, because I'm home alone during the days so I just pull up a blanket and lay on the couch and take it easy.
Kimberley97
Kimberley97
I've been on mtx for about ten years varying amounts over the years but it still gives me tummy trouble nausea and loose stool. I take phenergan for nausea and try to stay home the day after my dose if I can to be close to a potty. Lol. And of course it makes me feel like some one whipped up on me the next day but I do think it helps so I tolerate it. Blessings to you feel better.
Christine26
Christine26
MTX can and dose have an effect sometimes on the tummy. Glad ginger candy is treating you will. Maybe you could move the MTX to a day that it is not interering with activities like Friday night. Also, MTX is know for the tiredness factor so that should ease up with time. If the stomach up setness persisits, MTX can be given by self- inject. I have been on self injects and they are not as bad as the anticipation of it. Don't remember differnces in tiredness and The meds I take do not cause me stomach upsets as I have a rock hard clad stomach (knock on wood)..
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi..Leucovorin..will help...you have to ask the rheumy for it ...they give it to cancer patiens that are the methotrexate ..adn also for RA patients if a issue with nausea pops up ...
or more natural like mttazzie said ...i sometimes use spearmint for nasuea as well...hope you feel better ..none of this is fun .