I started MTX about a month ago...two weeks at 15 mg and 3 weeks now
at 20 mgs. The other night I woke up with a fluttering feeling in my heart,
it felt like arrhythmia or palpitations. Then yesterday evening I had it
again, slightly. I don't remember that being a side effect of MTX, but I did
read something on the internet that folic acid deficiencies can cause
it...I'm taking 1 mg of folic acid daily.
Has anyone else had this experience with MTX and if not, what level of
folic acid are you taking?
I had similar problems for a while last year. I did all the heart tests, etc. and they never found anything wrong. Eventually it went away. I never knew if it was due to the meds (MTX and Humira) or the RA. I think the chronic inflammation of RA can cause heart palpitations...in fact, taking an NSAID seemed to calm it down as well as anything. Anemia can also cause heart palpitations and I read somewhere that anemia is very common with RA...something like 40% of people with RA are anemic.
Alan
Hi, I've not experienced heart palpitations with the mtx, but if I drink too much caffeine, I have an irregular heart beat. (I have my own stethascope, they aren't expensive, and check my heart beat when I hear or feel the 'thumpping'). I had heart surgery in Dec, so am super sensitive to my heart beat. Maybe the combination of drugs or caffeine is bothering you? LyndaI have some cardiac complications due to RA and I strongly suggest that you get evaluated by your primary care doctor. He/she may send you to a cardiologist. This might or might not go away on it's own but it should be checked out. Keep us posted. Lindy Definitely talk to your doctors - they can strap you with an ambulatory monitor (can't recall the name now, but the brand was "King of Hearts" - the size of a deck of cards) , and when you get the palpitations, you hit a button on the device and it will record a couple of minutes of heart rythym data (from before and after you hit the button). Then you call in the results over the phone (the device will transmit over a standard telephone - no cords needed) and the results are sent to your doctor. I had one of these on for 2 weeks once. It can really help pinpoint the problem, as the arrythmias tend not to surface when you need them too! I'm on 20 mg. of MTX and have never had palpitations. I agree that you need to talk to your doctor ASAP.