Newly on MTX | Arthritis Information

Hey everyone~
I just started MTX yesterday...7.5 dose. I have a headache and feel kind of out of it. I was just curious, what else have y'all dealt with? Though it sounds vain, I'm really concerned about the potential hair loss...how bad has it been for everyone? I'm getting married next May, and would like to still have hair

Welcome to AI Kristen. I've been on MTX for years and take more than twice your dose. It takes a while to work up to a higher dose (currently at 25mg) but over time a higher dose is certainly more effective for most people if you can tolerate it.

When I originally started taking MTX I learned to take it on Saturday night and plan on spending Sunday resting. Not having anything scheduled on Sunday's left the day open to nap and just relax if I wasn't feeling well....or even if I felt fine.

Over time the over all "Sick" feeling has gone away and rarely do I even nap on Sunday's now; but in the early days on MTX I often stayed in my PJ's all day long. After a while I actually looked forward to my "down day" and it kind of gave me an excuse to just veg out and do nothing. Often with RA our bodies actually need a day to just catch up. The rest is nessesary whether we like it or not.

I hope maybe it will help you to know that I have not experienced any real hair loss. Keep in mind that a certain amount of hairloss is natural so don't panic if you see some on the floor or extra in your brush. The hair loss is nothing like you'd see in a cancer patient so try not to be too concerned about it.

Hope you have good luck with MTX. I sure have.

Glad you're here.

Welcome to the MTX club, sort of. Sorry you have to join at all but you'll find you have a great support system here. I've been on it for three months and no hair loss. I have a friend who has been on it (injectible) for many years and she said it's usually the cancer-strength dose that causes the hair loss problem, although there are probably some on this board that will disagree with that. Supposedly Leucovorin is best at fighting the side-effects, whatever you get. I assume you're taking folic acid with your MTX at this point. You're on a small dose now and may not have any problems at all once your body adjusts. If you do have to take more, I would REALLY recommend that you ask your doctor if it's OK for you to split up your dose over the course of the day. It helped me so much to avoid side effects.

There are others here with even more knowledge and experience who I'm sure will post. Hang in there. I hope it works for you. It's a wonder drug for many people and not so effective for others. I'm still on the fence right now as to how much it's helping me, although I've heard many people say they stopped it because they thought it wasn't doing any good and then they found out big time how much it really had been helping. Soooo, I hope it helps you a lot!!

Hello and welcome. Lovie pretty much stated what I was going to say. Hope all goes well.

Hi Kristen...welcome!

I've been taking mtx for 15 years and really haven't had a problem with it. Hopefully you won't either! As far as the headaches go...try increasing your intake of water...that may help.

Ask your doctor about taking folic acid with your mtx.

Congratulations on your wedding that's coming up!

Kelly

I started MTX and enbrel at the same time so I have no idea how I would be without it. But I am so much better than I was last year. Thiese meds were a miracle. I couldnt even pick up a pot of coffee with one hand.

My hair has thinned out a bit. Ands once in awhile I get slammed the day after I take it and get nauseated and have to rest all day. But that dosen't always happen. Just once in awhile. Drink lots of water is the most important thing.
Thank y'all so much guys. I feel marginally better about being on MTX...and thanks for the advice. I still dont like the drug (lol no kidding right?), but I'm going to be optimistic. That's more my style anyway! Thanks again.

Hi Kristen, I was on oral mtx for about 4 mo. and had some tummy issues and my liver enzyme test became elevated. I'm on injectable mtx now for about a year and doing much better. Like others have said, the day after I am a little tired and have my own jammie day. I make a point to take it at night on mondays, so my weekend isn't spoiled. I had a little hair loss in the beginning, but taking folic acid everyday has helped.

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding - how exciting!!!

Kristen

I have been taking MXT for about 7 months in the beginning I was so sick I spent tow days curled up on the couch I felt like I had the stomach flu then I heard about taking Benadryl, you take 50 mg about 45 before well I never thought it would work the next day I actually forgot I had taken it works great no more stomach flu LOL Good luck try it and see if it helps

Linda from NJ

I take it on a Saturday night,have had no hair loss and really no side affects, I was scared at the thought of taking it too - have been on it for nearly two years now so don't be afraid to try it, it certainly helps.Hi, I take 20 mgs., and feel sorta spacy after taking it, but nothing too awful. I take folic acid (1mg), and although I have hair loss it would be considered 'thinning' I think. It does grow back. I think you will be beautiful for your wedding, please send pictures, we'll be so happy for you! Take care, LyndaHi and welcome to the forum. Everyone has given you good advice. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding. Don't worry about your hair, I have had no hair loss. You'll be a stunning bride. Lindy LinB39316.8817708333Hi & Welcome. I'm on 15mg 1xweekly, with 5mg Folic Acid daily (except the day I take the MTX). I've had no problems with it, few extra hairs initially in the shower & hairbrush, (but not much growing on my legs &

I have been on 10 mg. for about a year now...in the bill form. I take 2 on Tuesday and 2 on Wednesday. I feel a little fatigued on Thursday but am still functional.

I am not sure about the hair loss. I have a little thinning and my hair texture is different but other than that I am doing mighty fine.

Hi, and welcome.

I just started on methotrexate too. I'm taking 7.5 mg as well and have been on it for two months. I only felt sick once after taking the 6th dose. Other than that, no problems so far. I'm also very careful to remember my folic acid.

I too was concerned about hair loss and mentioned that to my RD before I started it. He just smiled and said, "You won't lose it all."

Folic Acid can help with some of the side effects. You are on a pretty low dose but the first few times taking it are the hardest. For me it got much better and these days I have virtually no side effects. I never had trouble with hair loss.

I usually take mine at bedtime and sleep through the night. Sometimes the next day I am a little fatigue and maybe a bit queasy but even that doesn't happen most of the time. It really will get better. Hang in there.

Jeanne

Kristen,

I've been on MTX for a few months now (12 mg). I don't think I have had any noticeable hair loss. I'm still trying to figure out what works best to ease the queasy and fatigue feelings. What seems to work best for me right now is taking MTX at bedtime on Sunday night, drinking lots of water the next couple of days, and chewing a lot of flavorful gum (WinterFresh). The worst part of MTX for me has been a weird taste for 1, 2 or 3 days afterwward.

When I first started MTX I was pooped at the end of the day on Monday. However, now I don't seem as tired.

I also take Folic Acid 1 mg and 1000 mg of Vitamin E (someone said Vit. E is good for hair). 11 years ago I took MTX as a second round of chemo for cancer. The first round of another chemo caused all my hair to fall out, but it actually started to grow back when I switched to MTX.

When I get a little 'down' about having to take MTX, I quickly remind myself how lucky I am that it is now available for RA patients. It wasn't available until after my mom passed away after suffering with RA for over 40 years.

Congratulations on your future wedding!

Kweenb,

I've been on 25mg for a long time. I think that's about the highest dose they'll give you for RA and I really don't think it's caused any hairloss (At least not much) for me. I think it might just be the luck of the draw. Some do and some don't.

I also color my hair and have for about 20 years. That alone causes soem hairloss so mine has been falling out due to over processing it for years anyway. If I'm loosing any due to MTX I don't notice it.