Date: 21.03.2016
From: Lilli
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Subject: Methotrexate and Rheumatoid Arthitis
Hello, I am 20 years old and was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in January 2016 and was referred to a Rheumatologist in February as my RA factor was 40. My Rheumatologist decided to put me on a 15mg dose of Methotrexate which is to be taken once a week and I take folic acid the other 6 days. I decided to take the tablet version and have just taken my 5th dose, and have some questions for anyone who is also on around the same dosage for RA. The first three weeks I was sick on both Monday and Tuesday in the morning but felt a little better by the evening and once it got to Wednesday I was fine again. Iām not sure if this is just in my head or not but I also found it difficult to get my words out, so if I was thinking something I often said something different (if that makes sense) and would then have to go back and correct myself, has anyone else experienced this? Originally I was told I would have to go for an x-ray before I start the drug, but my Rheumatologist did not follow through with this and I have been having a blood test every two weeks (I need to do this for 6 weeks, to keep an eye on my liver I think?) I have also had some blurred vision; I have bad eyes anyway so perhaps this is due to the headaches I have been receiving from the tablets. I am mainly writing to ask about the following side effects and if anyone else has received them or thinks it is something to mention to my doctor. I have lost around a stone since February and my muscles feel incredibly weak. Although I was never really an active person anyway I weight 8 stone 8 and now weigh 7 stone 6 is losing weight normal with RA or methotrexate? I have not made any changes to my diet. This weekend (before taking my 5th dose) my family members noticed the underneath of my eyes are very yellow and they seem to also be yellow in the corners, has anyone else experienced this? Thank you for taking the time to read this! :)
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Date: 22.03.2016
From: lucy
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Subject: Re: Methotrexate and Rheumatoid Arthitis
Hi Lilli, I'm sorry to hear that you have been diagnosed with RA especially with you being so young. Do you have a rheumatology nurse that you could call? I'm not too sure whether the methx. would cause any of the symptoms you are having or not. Yellowing of the eyes can be a sign of liver problems but that would have shown up in your blood so I wouldn't think it would be that, I have a habit of forgetting words and sometimes I do say the wrong words, when we are worried about things this can happen. If you are worried about your eyes you could probably get some reassurance from your optician if you go for an eye check but you should speak to someone to find out why you are losing weight if you are eating the same amount. I did lose weight at the beginning of the disease but you should speak to either the rheumatologist or your doctor. I've been on methotrexate for a long time now, around 12 years. There are other drugs that they can give you if it doesn't agree with you. I hope someone else can come on that knows a bit more about it. I do hope you feel better soon. xx
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Date: 22.03.2016
From: Colin W
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Subject: Re: Methotrexate and Rheumatoid Arthitis
hi Lilli , agree with Lucy and seek profesional help , Methotrexate can cause problems with liver & you should have monthly test when you are on MTX but I was always given weekly blood test when uping & starting MTX , the main thing to look for is ALT results which shows inflammation of the liver I have had RA since 1996 & started MTX soon afterwards , taking six 5mg folic acid a week helps with the side effects & if you still feel sick talk to your Rheumy nurse but with your eyes I would go straight to your GP & have it checked
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Date: 22.03.2016
From: Lilli
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Subject: Re: Methotrexate and Rheumatoid Arthitis
Thank you for your advice It was very helpful and reassuring :)
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Date: 29.03.2016
From: Becky
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Subject: Re: Methotrexate and Rheumatoid Arthitis
Hi lilli, I am 24 with rheumatoid arthritis and was diagnosed at 19, I didn't lose weight with methotrexate unfortunately I put it on but you could be losing weight just because of all the changes and stress. Like the other ladies said I would call your nurse about your eyes but yeah the blood tests will be checking your liver function. I was also very sick when I first started methotrexate, similar to you it would be awful for a couple of days then gradually ease off, i had a couple other bad side effects but I was really struggling with the nausea, I went onto injections and it was 100x better. I now only take the folic acid once a week instead of every day and very rarely am sick, so if it carries on that may be one thing to consider. Hope you get everything sorted! I have never written in something like this before but I know how daunting it can be at the start and I wish I had been braver and asked more questions! so if you need anything else feel free to ask :)
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Date: 29.03.2016
From: Paula-R
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Subject: Re: Methotrexate and Rheumatoid Arthitis
I agree with everything that's been said and you should mention about your eyes to your specialist nurse. Before starting MTX you should of had a chest x ray, so I would mention this too. One of the symptoms of RA is weight loss, it was the only one that I would of welcomed, but sods law, that's the only one I didn't get. Hope your sickness starts to subside soon, but if it doesn't you could start injecting it instead, that way it bypasses the stomach. x
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