Date: 21.04.2010
From: Emma Chadwick
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Subject: Methotrexate side effects
Hi everyone, I have been on methotrexate for just under a year now and am on 20mg. For the past week though my skin has been a bit itchy and I have had the worst sore throat and mouth ulcers. Is this normal? Or should I be worried? Any help on this would be most welcome.
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Date: 21.04.2010
From: Paul
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Subject: Re: Methotrexate side effects
Hi Emma, Normal side effects i'm afraid, theres plenty of them too :-( Heres a small list: Acne; chills and fever; dizziness; flushing; general body discomfort; hair loss; headache; infertility; irregular periods; itching; loss of appetite; lowered resistance to infection; miscarriage; nausea; sensitivity to sunlight; sore throat; speech impairment; stomach pain; swelling of the breast; unusual tiredness; vaginal discharge; vomiting. Remember if these persist do see your GP. Hope this helps :-) regards Paul
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Date: 21.04.2010
From: sarah
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Subject: Re: Methotrexate side effects
hi emma, ive been on methotrexate but only for a short while because i had a bad reaction to it, my skin was so itchy that i couldnt sit still, i even made myself bleed by scratching, if i was you i would go and see your doctor just to make sure. x
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Date: 21.04.2010
From: Emma
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Subject: Re: Methotrexate side effects
Thanks guys. Im due to see my doctor soon so I will make sure to mention it.
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Date: 21.04.2010
From: jill
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Subject: Re: Methotrexate side effects
Hi Emma, side affects r nasty, we dont get them all, well hope not, I get absesses and loose teeth, has patch skin, usually have good skin, never had spots as a teen, I was one of the lucky ones, but i do sem to get the odd spots on face....I always use cream after I shower(due to itchy feeling skin) done that all my life, so I use cream and wldnt notice any extra itchiness...tc Jill
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Date: 21.04.2010
From: Sally
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Subject: Re: Methotrexate side effects
hi Emma, I get sore throats all the time, occasional mouth ulcers and tiredness plus spots(though they are not visible to others, only to me in the magnifying mirror!)Plus it isn't even working that well yet lol! My rheumy says to just keep an eye on them.
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Date: 21.04.2010
From: Verity
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Subject: Re: Methotrexate side effects
Tiredness, itchiness, spots, stomach upset, headaches, sickness! All totally crap : ( I dont tend to get mouth probs though like a lot of ppl in here. Been lucky with that I think : ) xx
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Date: 21.04.2010
From: Emma
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Subject: Re: Methotrexate side effects
Thanks everyone for replying. Made me realise that its probably not a serious problem but I will talk to my doc about it. Thanks again xx
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Date: 25.04.2010
From: Abbie
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Subject: Re: Methotrexate side effects
Hi Emma as the others said, unfortunately these side effects are normal. For the mouth sores get your dr to give u some GelClair satches. They work wonders and you could probably do with having your folic acid increased. I know being on 20mg of mtx you Only in theory need to have 20mg of folic acid a week but maybe increase to 5mg each day except mtx day. Sure helped me. With regards to your skin over the last week, have you been out in this nice weather because you do need to wear a high factor sun cream being on mtx, I learn't the hard way and my pharmacist couldn't believe my dr hadn't told me lol. Alright now though. Keep us posted hun and I hope you're out of discomfort soon X
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Date: 25.04.2010
From: jill
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Subject: Re: Methotrexate side effects
oK i have asked this b4, dropped to 15mg MTX use to be on 17.5 weekly, and was told to take Only 5mg twice a week of folic, yet everyone else is ona higher dose than me, have mentioned this to bio nurse, she says that is enough ?
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Date: 25.04.2010
From: Abbie
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Subject: Re: Methotrexate side effects
Hi Jill! Yeah I've noticed conflicting theory's on the folic acid front. I know If you were under my hosp, being on 17.5mg mtx you'd take 20mg folic acid day after and If you get certain side effects like mouth sores, this would be increased. I'm currently on 15mg mtx (soon to be increased) and because of repeated mouth sores. I now take 5mg folic acid every day except mtx day and so far, so good X
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Date: 26.04.2010
From: jill
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Subject: Re: Methotrexate side effects
think il do sam as u then, cant see any harm, will c bio nurse in june, but I do think I need more folic....thanks Abbie, hope ya coping better today...and im so glad ya part of the forum, your input is brill x
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Date: 27.04.2010
From: Abbie
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Subject: Re: Methotrexate side effects
Ah Jill! I'm all welled up! Just having one of those days and it's turned me into a soppy date lol (((Jill))) XXX
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Date: 27.04.2010
From: jill
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Subject: Re: Methotrexate side effects
awww Abbie credit where credit is due, thats my motto, seems u have been in here for ages now, and u r very supportive and caring and helpful, just what we need x
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Date: 18.01.2017
From: Glen
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Subject: Re: Methotrexate side effects
Hi all new to this forum ,so be gentle with me. I have had ra for about 3 years in my hands feet and shoulders , before I was diagnosed I would wake up hardly being able to get out of bed , anyway I was put on mtx 15mg per week worked wonders until recently , I have constantly got stomach cramps, pains , and it turning over like an old washing machine, I was told to only take 5mg of folic acid a week but I have increased that to 15mg a week but still having issues. Speak to the doc and it's like talking to a brick wall, blood tests all ok and no other symptoms , so does anyone know the best dosage and has anyone had the same issues.? Any suggestions would be appreciated, thanks
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Date: 18.01.2017
From: lucy
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Subject: Re: Methotrexate side effects
Hi Glen, Welcome to the forum. Do you take anti-inflammatory pills as they can cause stomach problems. I'm not sure of the MTX would cause the stomach pain or not. You could try cutting them down or even stopping them for a week or so and see if the pains go away, it wouldn't really affect your RA too much to stop them for a short time. Have you spoken to the rheumatology nurse? I would speak to them Good luck and hope you feel better soon.
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