Methotrexate - Side Effects?

[SnarkyTexan]

Y'all are so awesome with all the feedback. I don't feel so alone anymore. 

Thank you 

[D Foster]

Hi welcome to the club ST, I was on MTX for nine years but the one thing to bear in mind that every treatment effects each individual in different ways .
When i started on it I was reasonable OK with tiredness the only real side effect and it did work both on the P and the PsA however it did effect my gut from the point of view of any food with a slight possibility of causing stomach problems such as cream,yogurt and food like coleslaw especially when it's been open for a day or so. It knocks out all the good bacteria in there so it's easy to have problems and because of this I was very careful what I had to eat , I was taking folic acid every day apart from MTX day.
It got quite bad gradually until at around 5 years ish I went on to MTX injections which made life much better and the MTX did work for me though the clearance was not 100% by a long way but eventually the side effects built up and by then Stelara had just come out on the market so my dermatologist put me on that which was a life saver.
I am 99% clear and though it's not the best for the PsA it does help quite a lot.

[SnarkyTexan]

Update for today: the 3rd 6 pill dose. 


I have been so tired. I slept 8-9 hrs and still had a nap during my lunch break. Yesterday and today. 

Today I was nauseated off and on all day. I didn't eat anything outside the ordinary foods I eat.

I have no motivation to do my hobbies. I like to waterpaint, color, paint with diamonds, or play Xbox. And I just don't want to do it. I just want to sit in my recliner, completely covered with a comforter, and maybe play a game on my tablet or watch TV. Then I might fall asleep. 

[Raxyl]

Update for today: the 3rd 6 pill dose. 


I have been so tired. I slept 8-9 hrs and still had a nap during my lunch break. Yesterday and today. 

Today I was nauseated off and on all day. I didn't eat anything outside the ordinary foods I eat.

I have no motivation to do my hobbies. I like to waterpaint, color, paint with diamonds, or play Xbox. And I just don't want to do it. I just want to sit in my recliner, completely covered with a comforter, and maybe play a game on my tablet or watch TV. Then I might fall asleep. 

Hello ST, When is your next appointment with your Derm?  I'd say something is not right and you should try and see them sooner rather than later. It also should be considered that there is more than one thing combining to cause the lethargy and nausea. Granted drugs affect everyone differently but when I was on MTX I experienced some nausea a few hours after the dose and little to no lethargy.  Could there be anything else that is contributing to these side effects?  I hope you can get to the bottom of this and are feeling 100% soon.

Craig

[Fred]

Update for today: the 3rd 6 pill dose. 


I have been so tired. I slept 8-9 hrs and still had a nap during my lunch break. Yesterday and today. 

Today I was nauseated off and on all day. I didn't eat anything outside the ordinary foods I eat.

I have no motivation to do my hobbies. I like to waterpaint, color, paint with diamonds, or play Xbox. And I just don't want to do it. I just want to sit in my recliner, completely covered with a comforter, and maybe play a game on my tablet or watch TV. Then I might fall asleep. 

Hello ST, When is your next appointment with your Derm?  I'd say something is not right and you should try and see them sooner rather than later. It also should be considered that there is more than one thing combining to cause the lethargy and nausea. Granted drugs affect everyone differently but when I was on MTX I experienced some nausea a few hours after the dose and little to no lethargy.  Could there be anything else that is contributing to these side effects?  I hope you can get to the bottom of this and are feeling 100% soon.

Craig

Yes I agree it could be worth trying your GP (Family doctor) to see if anything else is going on.

[Bill]

The only time I have been tired as described was when my lymphocyte count dropped. MTX can badly affect myelo-proliferative tissue. I would not take any more until you have your fatigue investigated. Play it safe.

[SnarkyTexan]

Thank y'all. I will contact my Dr today.

[JohnB]

Thank y'all. I will contact my Dr today.

Good luck with your Doc 

Many of us find keeping a journal on here beneficial. It is a handy way of keeping track of your treatment. I'm sure you would be more than welcome to start your own personal log. They tend not to get as messy and confusing and easier to find than threads in the prescribed section.

[Fred]

Thank y'all. I will contact my Dr today.

Good luck with your Doc 

Many of us find keeping a journal on here beneficial. It is a handy way of keeping track of your treatment. I'm sure you would be more than welcome to start your own personal log. They tend not to get as messy and confusing and easier to find than threads in the prescribed section.

Yes indeed very welcome and now SnarkyTexan has made over 10 posts she can read other members journals or start one of her own if she wishes: [Group Specific]

[SnarkyTexan]

I know I've disappeared from here. I've been super busy. I finished my bachelor's degree and am trying to launch my business.

So I thought I'd come back and give an update. 

It's been almost a year since I started the MTX. My dr refused to drop me from the medication and wanted to "wait and see." I am doing better. My memory is back to normal, I think. Or I've just gotten used to it. I'm still very distractable, though. 

MTX has been good for my plaque psoriasis for the most part. I still have guttate spots on my upper arms and elbows. But it's gone pretty much else. 

MTX does nothing for my inverse psoriasis. My doctor has put me on Hydrocortisone cream, 2.5%, for the inverse. It works... as long as I remember to use it. 

I am going to ask about one side effect. Sun exposure/burn.

Last summer I discovered very quickly how much MTX impacts my skin. I'd sunburn if I had zero protection within 10 minutes. Well, 11 months on it now, I burned today. I was standing in the sun, wearing my cardigan sweater, to stay warm. Ten minutes. I went inside and saw in my mirror that my arm that was facing the sun had burned! So easily and THROUGH my cardigan! 

Could anyone please suggest the best sunscreen brand/SPF to prevent burning so easily? I have olive-toned skin. I've always been one to tan but not burn. If I did, it was once and then the rest of the summer I tanned. I DO NOT want to avoid the sun as I love to go swimming with my kids.