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Methotrexate users- did you experience an increase in symptoms when you began MTX?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 2/19/2016 10:01 PM (GMT 0)
Just started Methotrexate 25 mg subq injection once per week. I noticed flu like side effects by the 3rd day after the injection.

Has anyone else had this experience, and if so- how long before you saw improvement? I am feeling much worse now after taking this drug than I did before taking it, I guess I'm hoping it got better for some of you guys!

Post Edited ({{CROHN'S}}) : 2/19/2016 3:05:14 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/19/2016 11:36 PM (GMT 0)
I've been taking methotrexate since April 2015. My only side effects have been nausea and lack of energy for a day or so. Therefore I take either Zofran or Reglan for the nausea and a nap for the fatigue. That really seems to help.
Posted 2/20/2016 1:18 AM (GMT 0)
I was on 25mg injectable methotrexate for a while. I had mild flu-like symptoms the day after the injection. It was fairly mild and had usually worn off by the second day.

Are you taking a folic acid supplement? If not, then you should.

www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/treatments/medication/drug-types/disease-modifying-drugs/methotrexate-side-effects.php
Posted 2/20/2016 5:39 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, taking a folic acid supplement, 1 mg a day. Glad to know you guys did not have the side effects I think I am having. I have only had one dose so maybe it is just coincidence and my crohn's stepped it up a notch or two this week. Hoping I will not find the week of the next injection like this one. I can't shake this migraine.
Posted 2/20/2016 2:24 PM (GMT 0)
I have zero side effects and take 25mg injectable weekly. I actually take folate the active form of folic acid. Some people can't convert folic acid to folate well and therefore doesnt do much for you or you dont get the amount you think youbare taking. I prefer taking the active forms of b vitamins anyways so I thought why risk it.

I make sure I'm very hydrated the day of my injection, then take one extra strength tylenol and my MTX and go straight to bed.
Posted 2/20/2016 6:52 PM (GMT 0)
Wow it's nice that you guys have had such side effect free results. Today is day 6 of being on this drug and I am not sure if I can bring myself to take a second dose it has made me that sick. At a minimum it has doubled my diarrhea frequency and wateriness, other side effects too but that does not seem right, does it?
Posted 2/20/2016 7:28 PM (GMT 0)
Are you taking mtx with anything else like a biologic or just mtx?

I know my Dr said it can take a few months for it to build up in your system to actuzlly help a flare. But those don't sound like normal side effects to me. I think most people have headaches, nausea, body aches or are tired but I don't think people usually have diarrhea. Have you been tested for cdiff or other pathogens?
Posted 2/21/2016 7:26 AM (GMT 0)
I am not on any biologics. Never had any problem with side effects with the biologics, fortunately.

Yeah, I was recently tested for c diff. so that is probably not the issue here. I guess it is encouraging hearing that nobody has problems with diarrhea when taking 25 mg subq MTX for Crohn's. That is my only weird side effect, the headaches and what not I just figured were par for the course.
Posted 2/22/2016 12:20 AM (GMT 0)
I'm on 25mg injections as well. I know it can cause nausea, I was actually just reading about someone on facebook claim it gives them diarrhea. Hopefully that isn't what is going on for you. I've increased my folic acid to 5mg a day, it helps with side effects I've found.
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