first of all, a very happy christmas to everyone.
my rheumy has switched me from pills (2 years) to injection and i have been on the injection for 3 week s now. xmas day (!) i injected myself for the first time but with an increased dose. i have had a lousy headache since later that evening - monday - and again all day today - wednesday. i know that the headache is a side effect of mtx bu t just wondered if there's anything to do that can help.
anna - uk (london)
Can you take acetominophen or ibuprofen at all? Definitely call rd and let him know that you are getting headaches after the increased dose. hi grammaskittles
thanks for your reply
i cant take ibu and dont know about he other drug you mentioned but i have been taking paracetamol. i will speak to hosp tomorrow.
anna_uk
Acetominophen is Tylenol.
I usually take ibuprofen for headaches. I've also found that getting outside and walking leisurely helps...weather permitting of course. Fresh air and being able to defocus seems to help...watching TV for me makes the headache a lot worse.
Alan
Drink lots and lots of water. Not sure why, but this is what definiately will fix it.
My doctors told me to do this and others do this too. Something with dehydration etc. But water will fix it.
Does anyone have breathing problems with mtx. I stopped taking it for a while because of a long bout with pneumonia and other side effects and didn't have breathing problems or feel as though I had the flu.
I just started taking it again and it might be a coincidence but the same thing is happening all over again. Has this happened to anyone else?
Coincidence or not you need to seek attention right away any time you have breathing or lung problems or a cough when taking mtx. I'm surprised your Dr. didn't tell you that. I lost thirty percent of my left lung waiting to get better from breathing problems after taking mtx for about two months. I should have went to Urgent Care right away.I have only been on it for 7 weeks. The first two times I took it I did get a headache that day. I did not take anything for it, but I do drink a lot of water the day I take it. It helps flush out your kidneys.
I have not had breathing problems, although my Doc told me to watch for it as that is an allergic reaction. He said the reaction can happen at any time.
However, I did get a cold this week. I know I will haave lowered y immoune system, but all ready I'm sick? Isn't my system in overdrive? I'm only at 7.5 mg and need to increase to 10 mg. becasue it isn't working! If after 7 weeks I am already with a cold, will I be sick all the time?
[QUOTE=levlarry]Coincidence or not you need to seek attention right away any time you have breathing or lung problems or a cough when taking mtx. I'm surprised your Dr. didn't tell you that. I lost thirty percent of my left lung waiting to get better from breathing problems after taking mtx for about two months. I should have went to Urgent Care right away.[/QUOTE]
Can you tell us what happened and how you lost part of your lung?
My RA Doc said I was to call him if I had breathing problems and not see my regular Doc as they often treat it wrong and I could end up with all kinds of problems.
Anna,
I have been on mtx for several years now, but only in tablet form. If ever the dosage was lowered or increased, the rheumy did it gradually. Have been as high as 27mg a week during a really bad flare; now on 10mg for last 12 months or so. Am fortunate that I don't have any severe side efects, but know of some folk who do. It certainly has helped me, but took a while to 'kick in'. Am on Celebrex and placquenil as well.
Mtx can make one dizzy, and am sure that it can affect one's resp. system - mine only a litle thank goodness. After taking it a while, my body seemed to adjust and the worst that happens is in first couple of days I get fatigued and the 'brain fog' is worse :(
It is recommended that for the day before, the day you take the dose and the day after, you drink lots of water. In your UK winter, that is not easy to do, but keep a jug of water and tumbler on table to remind you! Also, best to have the dose in evening so that you can slee thru worst of the efects. And take folic acid - I take 1mm a day in tablet form - some folk take 2mm; it helps to counteract some of the side effects.
If you have any ongoing serious problems with headaches and/or breathing, make journal notes and let your doc know.
I hope you soon get relief. It has helped keep me out of a wheelchair.
lorrie
I had breathing problems when on it and it was because i was having inflammation in my chest. The problem i had with mtx was that it does something to the bone marrow and the blood and with my anemia, it was causing me to flair up instead of getting rid of the inflammation. It's rare, but it can happen.
I would definately see the doctor and possibly not take any until then, mtx can be stopped at any time, it isn't a pill that needs to go down slowly.
Anna,Thank you for all the responses. The Dr told me to stop taking it. I hated the side effects but it did help me with the pain and stiffness so I have mixed feelings.
I'll check about the preservatives. It seems that the longer I take mtx the more it bothered me.
Just FYI:
My mtx doesn't have preservatives in it and I didn't have any h/a's today. I used to have them with the oral mtx, so that is a nice change. The only thing I had was A LOT of dizziness. I hope that fades away or I might have to change when I take it. It didn't work too well working under those conditions today. But, all is well now. We'll see how I feel tomorrow with the fatigue, etc.
Good luck,
Lori
Hmm......I get the terrible headache also. Wonder if it is the preservative????I get no headaches from the injectable mtx. I get tired the next day. Here are some side effects of the injectable mtx.
SIDE EFFECTS: Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, drowsiness or dizziness may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these serious side effects occur: mouth sores, diarrhea, fever, fatigue, persistent sore throat, unusual bleeding or bruising, black stools, skin rash, enlarged glands/lymph nodes, dark urine, bone pain, unusual pain and discoloration of the skin. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: yellowing eyes/skin, change in the amount of urine, chest pain, dry cough, trouble breathing, calf pain/swelling, vision changes, irregular heartbeat, muscle weakness, severe headache, neck stiffness, mental/mood changes, seizures. Temporary hair loss may occur. Normal hair growth should return after treatment has ended. A serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
I skipped the pills and went right to the injections about 2 months ago. I do my shot Friday night around 7pm, when I get home from work. About 1.5-2 hours later, I get super dizzy, like I drank way too much, the room spins and I feel like I might throw up but never have. I go to bed and its usually better in the am however Sundays I am sooo tired I nap most of the day. Overall, the side effects are tolerable, I just hope it starts working soon!!
I was on mtx for 8 years. I tried both the oral and injectable methods. Both made me severely nauseated for 1.5 days following my dose, and I was extremely fatigued all the time. The only day I felt worth a darn was the day before my next dose. To make matters worse, it did absolutely nothing to help with the pain or inflammation in my hands, wrists, feet and ankles! I also experienced hair thinning. I had to take 1500 mg of naproxen each day to control the pain and stiffness. After 8 years, and at the end of my rope, I went on enbrel. THREE days after my first enbrel injection, I arose without even the slightest morning stiffness, my joints have NO inflammation, and my sed rate has been normal. I've been on it for 6 months. I've stopped the mtx and naproxen, and feel better than I have in 10 years. I didn't realize how much "brain fog" I had until I'd been off the mtx for a couple of months. I suddenly felt more alert and alive than I had in several years.
I know for some, mtx has been a blessing. For me, it was worse than the RA itself, and I thank God that Enbrel, as an alternative, was an answer for me.
Claire...I am so glad that you found the med that worked for you. I'm just sorry it took so long to find it. It makes me happy to see people that are doing well. It is very refreshing. I hope that the Enbrel continues to work for you and you have lasting success with it!
Thanks, gradmaskittles. That was so sweet! I hope it continues to work for me too, but I don't assume that I will always be able to stay on it, or that it will always be this effective. That keeps me from taking any day for granted, which is probably a good thing.
Happy New Year to you!
I spoke to the hospital today and they have told me to inject only 12.5 mg of the dose and leave the last 2.5 mg in the syringe.