MTX and period changes - for the ladies!! | Arthritis Information

Share
 

ok. so I'm steph. I just took my 3rd dose of MTX - once a week - and I'm also on plaquinil or whatever it's called... and daily folic acid. The first time I took it, I started my period - one week after it ended - and it went for several days. The next week, it happened again, but more briefly. i took it again yesterday, and am spotting a little. Am i destined for a permanent period as long as I'm on these meds?!?!?!

And am I always going to feel so barfy and headachey on the day after treatment? Can I take anything for the headache? Nausea?

Anyone?

I'm 36, healthy, have 3 kids and a great husband... and am so glad I'm not alone in this.

THANKS!
Steph, newbie!

Hi Steph, welcome.

I haven't noticed any menstrual changes on MTX so I'm of no help there but switching from Folic acid to Leuvocorin might help the MTX "hangover" ickiness. Folic acid just stopped working for after awhile so my doctor switched me. Leu is more expensive so they tend to start everybody out on folic acid.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/202321.htm l

My period actually got a bit lighter on the metho. I was on it for about 2 and a half years before having an unlpeasant reaction to it. During the beginnings of that reaction my period totally disappeared! (you can imagine tha panic that caused) but it returned a month after coming off the metho.

Do mention it to your doctor/rheumatologist though, as if you're losing a lot of blood they need to keep an eye on your iron levels and stuff. Thoguh I guess the monthly full blood count blood tests will show if you're losing too much.
i started missing periods when i took methotrexate till eventually they stopped all together . i havent had a period now for 5 mths. the doc said early menopause is caused sometimes by medications. so the iregular bleeding could be the start of early menopause . i am 41.i am now off the methotrexate and on arava but the periods still havent returned ( yipee )my period changed.... usually start by just spotting..so i at least got a warning..now since methotrexate..i just start..and i am always very heavy anyway..so you can imagine
Copyright ArthritisInsight.com