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

Vertigo

SecretSurvivor
SecretSurvivor
I started Methotrexate about a month and 1/2 ago. I started at 5 pills and worked up to 8. This Thursday, I will be taking my third full dose (8 pills).

For the last week or so, I have been noticing a lot of dizzy spells and vertigo. I know the MTX can cause dizziness but this seems excessive. Some of the vertigo lasts for HOURS. It doesn't matter if I sit, stand, eyes open, closed, head turned, straight, etc. It's still there.

I almost fell over 3 times today at work and had to conduct a staff meeting sitting on a bar stool and leaning on a counter just so I didn't fall on the ground!

It doesn't mess with my thought process at all, but it was still really embarrassing to stumble around like I'm drunk at work!

Is this a common side effect of MTX or should I be calling my Dr. to report this?
hilynnea
hilynnea
I haven't noticed dizziness. It doesn't sound like positional vertigo either. I know I have had that several times when the crystals in your ear are dislodged and everytime I turned my head I would get dizzy.
Angelpuss
Angelpuss
I would check in with your PCP or Rheumatologist to be on the safe side. Vertigo can be caused by various health issues and may not necessarily be due to RA or Methotrexate.
Indycarr
Indycarr
I'm on MTX as well - 20mg injection once per week, and I do get a lot of dizziness for about 24 hours after my injection. I also have random moments through the week where I get a blast of insane dizziness, although I wouldn't go so far as to say it was vertigo.
Definitely have a check in with your rheumy if these bouts persist. I do find that the symptons decrease over time with MTX, although there is always that odd week where things are worse than normal.
MarkusB
MarkusB
Do you by chance take prednisone as well. I had big issues with "vertigo type" sensations while I was on prednisone. It got progressively worse the longer I took it. I had to go off it for a while and noticed I had less issues - back on it for a couple of weeks and ham I was feeling dizzy and had equilibrium problems again.

Just a thought as I did a little research on it and prednisone can cause these kind of problems. Hopefully you will figure it out as I know how miserable it can be.
carrottop50
carrottop50
I am on MTX and prednisone and yes I get the dizzy spells... but mine is not the vertigo I have had for yours it is different... but it is still as bad... I go back to my rheumy next week so I will ask her about this.
SecretSurvivor
SecretSurvivor
Thanks for the advice...

To answer some questions, no, I am not currently on Pred. I have only had to take it once so far and am now a little wary of it because when I did, I ended up getting sick that next week with a bad cold/sinus infection.

So, here is another example of why I thought it might be the MTX. I took my dose on Thursday night. Fine Friday. A very small amt of dizziness yesterday but today... Very dizzy. Not enough to feel the room spin or like I'm going to fall, but very "lightheaded" and dizzy in the head.

I guess I will add it to my list of things to ask the Dr. next month. :/
deleted_user
deleted_user
I have had some issues with vertigo. When I had it, I would roll over in bed and the room seemed to spin. I would sit up or stand up too quickly and the floor "tilted" (Kinda like when you were a kid and you would spin in circles and then stop suddenly to get that sensation of the floor rising up to meet you). At one point it got so bad I threw up. I would have to shut my eyes and put my head between my knees till it stopped. I also had some problems focusing my eyes when driving. My doctor felt like it was nothing too serious and advised me that it would correct itself over time. It did. She explained that it's generally and inner ear thing and that some people get it as a result of seasonal allergies.
nipper69
nipper69
I took my last 20 mg dose on Sunday and have been struggling with vertigo and some nasty stomach issues ever since. I missed 2 1/2 days of work due to the severity and duration of the vertigo. I have had problems in the past with vestibular migraines which caused vertigo but I never had it last as long as it did this week. Of course my rheumy was out sick. I hope to see him tomorrow. If I find out any information or solutions I will post it.