Side effect of MTX? | Arthritis Information

Is is possible to experience a side effect from methotrexate after 6 weeks on a low dosage of 7.5 mg? I was fine after the first 5 doses. I took my 6th dose last night and I woke up this morning with a horrible headache and I feel like I'm sick. Is this normal for methotrexate or could I actually be getting sick? I haven't been sick for a very long time so I thought it seemed odd. No one around me is ill either. Sure. Side effects can pop up at anytime when you are taking meds. See how long this headache and sick feeling lasts. My side effect (being totally wiped out and tired the day after my shot) goes away in 1 day. Thanks Grammaskittles. You are always so helpful!

I always get a headache and am totally wiped out the day after MTX, even when on 7.5 mg.

My Dr just told me to take a double dose of folic acid the day after I take the mtx to reduce side effects.

I sure hope you are feeling better soon. I find it difficult sometimes to distinguish between side effects and illness, same with flares and illness. Sending you lots and lots of hugs and hope you are up and at 'em again soon!

Hugs,

Jen That's exactly what happens to me with mtx. I take it Thursday noonish and
Saturday morning I might wake up with an mtx hangover. I find if I drink a
lot of water for the two days after I take it it helps, and also the frequency of
the headaches has gotten less over time. You know what's GREAT for an mtx
hangover? Marijuana! but if I can't have that then I have an ibuprofen, or
nothing, and it usually goes away by the afternoon.

do you smoke the marijuana or ingest it? (not that I plan to do this, just curious)

I also agree that drinking tons of water helps lessen the mtx side effects.

I usually smoke it, but either just one toke or two. Ingesting it is better but
it's more for when you don't have a lot to do! But becuase it's the morning
often I just endure the mtx hangover.PS, but I live in BC which has the strongest pot in the world. Sometimes I
wish I could get some not-as-good pot because this stuff really kicks.

Hi i used to have the most awful side effect from MXT for two days I was curled up on the coach it felt like I had the stomach flu and I am only taking 5mg I was ready to stop taking it then I read on another board to take 50mg of Benadryl 30 min to 45 before the MXT and that solved the problem sometimes I even forget I took it the night before the side effects I felt are now gone it works great for me give it try good luck

Linda from NJ

Yes I have found also that taking Benadryl helps tremendously. I dont get the headaches but I get the upset stomach and diarrhea and when I do take Benadryl right after I do my shot and for the next day or so afterwards I find that I dont have those side effects.

I USED TO GET HEADACHES FROM EVEN A LOW DOSE OF MTX WHEN I WAS FIRST PUT ON IT. I'M ON 20 MG NOW AND ONLY GET A VERY MILD HEADACHE ONCE IN AWHILE. I USE EXCEDRIN FOR MIGRAIN AND THAT ALWAYS GETS RID OF THE HEADACHE. SOMETIMES IT TAKES AWHILE FOR YOUR BODY TO GET USED TO THE MED.

DON

I feel fine today so I'm guessing it was the MTX. Thanks Linda and Kelsaysmommy. I'm going to try the benadryl next week.
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