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Methotrexate and Back Pain?

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Posted 9/8/2008 10:25 PM (GMT 0)
confused  Ok, do any of you know anything about back pain being a possible side effect of methotrexate?  When I went to the doc today, she can't figure out why my back hurts or why I have the swelling that I do on my back.  She prescribed me naprosyn and lortab.. which is fine, but she wants me to talk to the rheumy about it as well.. She's not sure if it's the meds, or something different, but she seemed concerned.. Anyone else have any issues like this?  Or know of anyone that does/did?  Thanks guys!
Posted 9/8/2008 10:29 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Ducky..

Sorry to hear you hurt so much...Is the pain on  your side by your ribs? towards the back? Did she do a urine sample? If you don't drink enough water (gosh I hate water!!) I get a lot of aches and pains, but not actual swelling??? I have had some pretty hideous kidney pain but no swelling...I say call the rheumy right away.  I noticed you are on Enbrel as well..with these meds it is so difficult to say sad

Posted 9/8/2008 10:38 PM (GMT 0)
hey mom..my pain starts at the center of my back, and then radiates out.. today, my right arm, hand and fingers went numb and started to tingle.. she seemed concerned about that as well.. I drink a at least a gallon (literally) of water a day.. I am prone to UTIs, so I stay pretty hydrated... Guess I'll call the rheumy tomorrow and see what they say.. poo..
Posted 9/9/2008 12:37 AM (GMT 0)
Hey! Gosh not sure what to think about the numbness..a pinched nerve? Hopefully the rheumy will know what to do..I hurt my back a few months back and it hurt to stand up, and the doctor couldn't find anything wrong but could barely touch it to examine it. Finally went away..Keep us updated.
Posted 9/9/2008 12:39 AM (GMT 0)

Hey Ducky,

So sorry you're hurting dear!!  Did they think this could at all be related to either the scoliosis or the spondylitis?  I'm kind of surprised that they didn't do any sort of tests...seems like they would have wanted to take a look at what was going on...Is this in the lower part of your back?

Hugs, Jody

Posted 9/9/2008 12:47 AM (GMT 0)
momto3 - I was thinking a pinched nerve too.. but she didn't say anything about it.. she asked if I had done anything strenuous or had been sick ('cause maybe I threw my back out coughing) but I haven't done anything like that.. I just figured I had slept wrong, and my back hurt.. until hubby said my back was swollen, I hadn't even noticed it.. then when I looked, I thought HOLY COW! :( She did push on the swelling, and said it looks like muscle spasms, but they're not hard and knotted up like muscle spasms.. that's why she wants the rheumy to look at it in case..

Jody - I think she (my primary) might think it have something to do with my spondylitis.. or the meds I'm on.. She asked a lot of questions about the methotrexate.. of course I came home and 'googled' it and it does list back pain as a side effect.. and of course, it said to call the rheumy if it happens.. so I'll be calling for an appt tomorrow.. :( I just don't want to miss anymore work 'cause of this.. :( I think she's hoping that the rheumy will run the tests, since she thinks it's something to do with my issues in that department.. we'll see.. The pain starts in the middle of my back and then radiates to the top of my shoulder, down to my thigh, just on the right side.. is so weird..
Posted 9/9/2008 12:58 AM (GMT 0)

Hi again,

I haven't been on mtx for a while now, but mom and I started on it about the same time way back when.  I seem to remember her mentioning back or kidney pain a few times ( is that right mom??), but it was more lower back I think.  Never had any problems with that myself.....you know, if there is some kind of swelling or inflammation in that area, could that cause some pinching to the nerve?  Know how you feel about yet another trip to the doc....seems to never end does it?  You've had so much to deal with!

Jody

Posted 9/9/2008 1:43 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Jody...Yep that was me! Starting on the MTX, I had all sorts of pain issues..it really made me sick.  Sometimes I still have rough times after a dose, especially without my Plaq now.  Last Saturday night, I had what seemed like Kidney pain throbbing constantly until it moved up between my shoulder blades, and I was terribly nauseaus (sp?) Sorry it's early!!! I get this often, but the swelling that Ducky is having is very odd?  I thought for a moment bursitis but her pain is in the wrong place.

It seems with inflammation it just shows up wherever it pleases! rolleyes I hope the rheumy can squeeze you in today or at least the nurse will have some suggestions.  Thinking of you!

Posted 9/9/2008 5:35 PM (GMT 0)
Well, they couldn't fit me in today.. and asked if the meds that I was given was helping any.. I can't really tell, the pain isn't that bad, but I think the Lortab is masking that.. I've been too busy today to see if I have the swelling still.. I'll check in a little bit and let you know.. So now I am patiently awaiting a call back.. The nurse thought it was odd, but she said she wanted to talk to the Dr. about it.. All of my bloodwork came back ok the last time I was in, so we'll see..
Posted 9/9/2008 6:06 PM (GMT 0)

thanks for posting, Duck..been thinking of you all day!  Hope they can get you in soon.

Jody

Posted 9/9/2008 6:09 PM (GMT 0)
Me too.. :) I was going to call you earlier.. but I sound like I've had one too many adult beverages! and I only took 1 pill instead of 2.. good grief!
Posted 9/9/2008 6:13 PM (GMT 0)

Ha! Now THAT'S they way to pass the day away! (just joking, you know) Think those "happy  pills" might just be what I need here somedays lol.

Seriously, please let us know what's up when you hear from the doc, ok? We all just want to make sure you're ok!!

Hugs,

Jody

Posted 9/9/2008 6:27 PM (GMT 0)
of course! :) Thanks guys!
Posted 7/28/2010 9:44 PM (GMT 0)
Hey guys,

I know this is a very old thread but I'd like to bump it to find out if a conclusion regarding the back pain was found?

Would be extremely helpful.

Sorry if I missed it elsewhere, new to the forum.

Thanks

James
Posted 10/7/2010 11:19 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, I am also new here and would like to hear if there was any outcome on the topic. My daughter is 9 yrs old and was diagnosed with RA about 3 yrs ago and has been on methotrexate for about 2 years. She has had some somewhat bad pain that the rheumatologist said is muscle pain. I recently had her into the ER because she had a pain in her back (middle back/right side that radiated around to the front) that was so bad she was unable to sleep or even sit still. Knowing she is not one to over react to pain I took her into the ER thinking kidney infection, but they said it was all muscle (they did urine test) and gave her tylenol with codeine, which did help. But I am really wondering what could be causing the muscle pain, she didn't do anything that I know of that would of caused it.
Posted 10/10/2010 5:00 PM (GMT 0)
This thread is a bit dated, but I've gone on and off of the MTX a few times and what I have noticed is that the day after I take the MTX I get back pain right on my kidney's. So I think it affects the kidneys for whatever reason, hope this helps?!

Sorry to hear of your daughter!

Posted 3/21/2017 12:16 AM (GMT 0)
I have been on MTX for 5 months now-last weeks dose and todays dose, I get SEVERE rib pain...it starts in the lower right tip and finally the whole ribcage hurts and really stabs in front and then around to the back of the ribs. Last week, I thought maybe pancreatitis or something, but now within 3 hours of my MTX dose, it happened again. So far, I am sick of being sick with this med and think I will go back to sulfasalazine which I tried for a short time before it. I was on MTX in the 90s and after 6 years, had elevated liver enzymes.

Then I found Minocycline therapy (antibiotic) and had 17 years total remission, as long as I took my pills 3 times per week. (3 doses of 200 mg each time) Fantastic stuff. But 2 years ago I developed pericarditis-inflammation of the heart sac-and been very sick ever since. They think it might've been drug induced lupus, but no one knows for sure. Anyway, I sure miss the ease and mild side effects of minocycline and recommend it to anyone with RA.

I'm on MTX and Plaquenil now and I WAS feeling good again until I started MTX. UGH. So yes, horrendous rib pain, no idea why, out of the blue etc. All my blood tests were normal just a couple weeks ago, so no idea why.
I've had severe RA for 38 years this year. Always trying to outsmart it with the safest meds possible, to live a long, full life. Good luck to you all. Debra
Posted 3/26/2017 4:53 AM (GMT 0)
PS: My doc made me get a right lung xray, which was clear.

He also made me get a pancreas enzyme bloodtest, and of the two kinds (Amylase and lipase) Lipase was 3 points high. So, I'd say that terrible right rib pain, going around to the back and the middle of the stomach pain is the pancreas being hurt by methotrexate. MTX is frightening, and I am hoping he lets me get off it. I still have slight stomach pain. Not good.
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