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Methotrexate and extreme sun sensitivity? Help!!!

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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Posted 6/29/2009 9:06 PM (GMT 0)
I've been taking MTX for a long time now and in the last few months, I haven't been able to tolerate the sun..AT ALL. It literally feels like the sun is searing my skin for lack of a better explanation. I don't remember having this reaction last summer, and as usual I wear the SPF 70 sunscreen but we planted flowers on Sat, and I lasted less than 10 minutes before I was heading for a shady spot. At the end of May it was starting to get hot and running errands through out the day would really knock me for a loop but now its getting ridiculous! It is the only arthritis med I take and the only one known for sun sensitivity.

Anyone else have this?
Posted 6/30/2009 2:08 AM (GMT 0)
I have been on MTX for three years now and have the same sun-sensitivity problem with it as you.
I use sunscreen, wear a sombrero and light long sleeves in the summer - and I live in Australia so it can get extremely hot UGH. I even get my neck burnt on short car trips, so try and wear a thin scarf - I must look a treat here in the summer :)
I also feel sunstruck if I stay out in it for too long (more than 10mins) - nausea, dizzy etc.
Not much we can do about it though when it works well for us, just know I sympathise with you :)
Jo
Posted 6/30/2009 2:31 AM (GMT 0)
I've only taken MTX twice, I'm just starting out, but I experienced severe sun sensitivity Saturday after 10-15 minutes in the sun with no sunscreen or hat. I guess since I'm new to the drug, I thought the warning might not apply to me. I was very well hydrated, and didn't expect any ill effects. I got dizzy, nauseous, and it felt like my knees were going to buckle until I got into the shade and sat down. I went into an air conditioned coffee shop and sat for about 20 minutes before I felt ok. I take 7.5 mg of MTX each week, so apparently even a low dose is enough to get that side effect. Sorry-I too sympathize. At least I have a good reason to wear some pretty hats I've collected over the years.
Posted 6/30/2009 6:14 AM (GMT 0)
I live in hats, long sleeves and use sunscreen too, but now I'm so low in vitamin D I'm told to be out in the sun for 20 minutes per day!!! You can't win! Golitho
Posted 6/30/2009 4:09 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Jo,

Thanks! Yesterday I did wear a light sweater while driving and that helped quite a bit, and it looks like I won't be able to run around in a t shirt and its 90 degrees! After 3 years on the Methotrexate this is just another thing to get used to with the RA, thanks for comiserating!

Posted 6/30/2009 4:15 PM (GMT 0)
Last summer I had the kids to the park all the time.  I sat under a tree, with a big hat, large sunglasses, long sleeves, SPF50 sunscreen, and Capri's on.  I read books while my kids played on  the playground nearby.  I did OK as long  I moved with the shade. If I got in the sun at all it zapped me.  I've had other parents at the park make comments about how I don't participate in the play and that I don't watch them carefully enough.  (I call them "hover parents") 

The only part of my skin that really shows when I go out is my neck and my cheeks under my sunglasses.  Now I have a large red patch on my face under the sunglasses and on my chest.  I look sunburned all the time and it gets worse with just a touch of sun.  It stuck around even in the winter, and because of the shape of my sunglasses it looks like a large butterfly wedge on my face.

This summer I can get sunburned in the shade, with sunscreen on within an hour.  After reading what you guys wrote I think some of the nausea that has plagued me lately may be due to me running errands in the sun rather than the fact that I an out running errands.

I also feel like ANY direct sun exposure is searing my skin the moment I step into the sun.  Even through my jeans after a while. 

I was recently moved from 25mg weekly to 22.5mg weekly and lately the fatigue, nausea and malaise for 2 days after dosage has been even worse than usual.  I wonder if the summer has anything to do with it?

Posted 6/30/2009 10:04 PM (GMT 0)

christina,

I was the same way about running errands in the sun! It was the end of May and I had spent the entire day out and about, literally and by the time I arrived home with the kids, I was not feeling well and ended up with an awful migraine well into the night. I couldn't figure out why I was so exhausted and then began to see a pattern, and now it is the end of June and even the thought of sun touching my skin is miserable and I've been on MTX going on 4 years.  This is the first warm season that I have had this much of an issue.  First with the RA it is the cold that I cannot bear and now with the MTX it is the sun, pretty soon I'm just going to turn into a hermit! My daughter who is 12 wanted to go with her friend to the pool, and I ended up taking them to an indoor complex rolleyes Thank goodness my daughter was just happy to be able to swim! and the mom didn't seem to think anything about it.  With younger ones it is more difficult so I can't imagine how hard it is for you at times!

Posted 7/1/2009 3:15 AM (GMT 0)
Christina - I have a perpetually red neck, (but white under my chin!) that always looks like I was just recently sunburnt - people are always commenting on my 'recent' sunburn, but I explain its always like that - very ugly and annoying.
Momto3 - Im beginning to think that the longer Im on MTX the worse I feel in the sun too, miserable sums it up nicely.
Jo
Posted 6/2/2015 3:08 AM (GMT 0)
I know this is an old post but I am having the same problem with the sun. Please respond if you have had issues with the sun also. I find it unbearable.
Posted 6/2/2015 12:49 PM (GMT 0)
This is scary for me to read. I have a bad sun sensitivity and I am not on methotrexate yet!! I feel like the sun is just burning into me after about 3 minutes. I am only on plaquenil and worried that mtx. is going to be next for me. Ugh! I do know they make SPF clothes and I have some. I wear an SPF hat. Even the heat gets me. I live in Florida, so it's tough once April hits. I am beginning to feel like a vampire. I enjoy the dark and the nighttime after the sun goes down!
Posted 6/2/2015 12:55 PM (GMT 0)
Its really unbearable unless you dont mind being covered 100% of the time or maybe you dont go outside at all! I just dont know how to live like this.
Posted 6/2/2015 9:10 PM (GMT 0)
Have you tried Leflunomide? My rheumatologist likes to use it with plaquinel to slow progression.
Posted 6/2/2015 9:47 PM (GMT 0)
No I haven't tried that one. My face is constantly stinging Im not even sure its the sun at this point.
Posted 6/19/2015 6:10 PM (GMT 0)
I am having the same problem. When I was on plaquenil and Meth and never had sun sensitivity but now I'm on Humira and I can't stand the sun for 2 minutes. Just from my job to the car is terrible. I am not very happy. I can't dream of staying in the house all summer.
Posted 6/19/2015 6:40 PM (GMT 0)
Its horrible, I go to Dr Monday to see what I can take instead of the Meth. Only skipped 1 week of meth and am already swelling and in pain.
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