I went from 5 to 7 MTX tabs (17.5 mg) yesterday for the first time. For the last few days I kept smelling something funny. Last night it got really strong, and I finally realized it smelled like smoke. Needless to say I checked around and realized it was me, not the world.
This morning while riding the exercise bike I had to stop three times due to shortness of breath, and the smoke smell was stronger. Finally I got done and sat around and gasped for a while, then got on the internet and put in methotrexate and smelling smoke. Apparently this is not uncommon. Has anyone else done this? I was pretty upset but then reminded myself that the very first time I took MTX I felt dizzy and short of breath, and decided it was all in my head. Later doses didn't have the same effect. So more than likely this will get better too, if I can just get through this week.
However, take my word for it, you DON'T want to read about the horrible things people smell due to medication, disease or other brain short circuitry. I've never taken MTX - however, I have experienced strange olfactory issues when I was pregnant. Everything smelled like cat pee. Especially coffee. Every morning I would wake up to the smell (at least in my mind) of a hot, steaming carafe of cat urine. The husband even offered to stop drinking coffee until the baby was born, but I just couldn't do that to him.
That is so interesting. I've been on MTX for years without smelling anything unusual. But that silly Fish Oil sure made me think I stink. Glad I stopped it. Glad it wasn't my MTX.