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methotrexate and migraines?

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Posted 8/10/2009 4:34 PM (GMT 0)
As you all know, I have been taking methotrexate and its been doing wonders for my joint pain.  Shortly after I started taking the methotrexate, I started getting headaches and they eventually upgraded to migraines with MAV (migraine associated vertigo) however I never associated it with the MTX.  I have dealt with it and have been taking my Fiorinal for the migraines. 

A few weeks ago, I called doc to request to not take the MTX one weekend because my son had a basketball tournament and I wanted to feel well enough to go.  That entire week after that weekend, I experienced no migraines or MAV so I called my doc on Friday to get an appt to discuss if maybe MTX was causing my problems.  The nurse agreed and made me an appt with the PA for the following Tuesday.  She said that it didn't sound like common MTX side effects (especially the vertigo) but that she would put me on Arava instead. 

I started the Arava on that Tuesday evening and by Thursday afternoon had a whopper of a vertigo attack and shortly afterwards a migraine.  That was this past Thursday so I decided for myself that I would stop the Arava and have made an appt with the Neuro which I'm going to see on the 24th.  I'm still kind of spacey but I'm taking my migraine meds to prevent any migraines at least for the next few days (I'm at work and I cannot get any type of attacks here).

Has anyone experienced migraines or MAV with methotrexate and/or Arava?  Maybe this just happens to be a coincidence?

Posted 8/12/2009 2:00 AM (GMT 0)
I had them with lamictal, but it is such a common side effect for lamictal that they actually call them "lamictal headaches" and I got double vision and vertigo. I also get just headaches with demerol. Both times I had to quit the medication as it was supposed to be asign of a serious side effect. Have you tested your blood pressure and blood sugar? Have you taken your temp? Sometimes I get very dehydrated and my blood gets thick and I have to drink gatorade or go to the ER and get fluids. B12 can cause some nasty headaches if you take too much, at least it does in me. Did you have the anticardiolipins and antiphospholipids (are they the same?) done? I think if the migraines and vertigo persist you should get some labs done through the ER or doctors to see what is going on.

Maybe it takes a while for the MTX to get out of your system too, or maybe your system is "rebounding". I got bad when my steroids wore off and lucky I got more, got bad migraines and vertigo and thick blood and dehydration when the taper ended too quick. My endo told me whenever our hormones get messed up we run a risk for electrolyte problems, we may get really thirsty and drink too much water, then we need electrolytes, so she told me to always keep gatorade on hand to stop excessive thirst.

((((Babs)))) so sorry you are going through this now. My ent ordered a hearing and balance test for my vertigo but I wasn't having problems at the time and it didn't show things. I know have to run in and get a new test when it starts acting up again.
Posted 8/15/2009 1:15 AM (GMT 0)
YES!  I have found that MTX gives me headaches, about 8-10 hours after I give myself my injection I find that I tend to get a headache, a few times they have moved into the migraine zone.  I find if I take Excedrin Migraine or Excedrin Tension Headache and drink LOTS of fluids and take a double dose of Folic Acid I can get the to subside pretty quickly. 

I also find that I have more headaches during the week, but they do go away within a few hours.   I see my Rheumy and GI this week and will be discussing the headaches with both of them.  The results that I have had with the MTX have been wonderful that I will take the headache than go off. 

Ellen

Posted 8/17/2009 1:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Marji & Ellen,

It's good to know that you can get them before they get too horrible. I think it wouldn't be such a problem for me if it wasn't for the vertigo that I get with them. Since I have gotten off both the MTX and Arava, my headaches are subsiding albeit slowly but I feel the progress. I know these meds can take forever to get out of your system. Maybe if the Neuro can find a preventive med for me to take and still take the MTX, that would be wonderful. I'll give an update after my appt next week. Thanks for posting and confirming that it is possible for these migraines to inflict you while on MTX.
Posted 4/20/2023 12:46 AM (GMT 0)
I have experienced migraines after an increased dose of MTX full syringe once a week. At least two killer migraines a week. I have always had migraines my neurologist gave me a cocktail pill and if I take it when the light show started the pain is less. Having them in the middle of the night is not helpful, I suffer three days.
Although I cannot get the RA doctor to admit this is a side effect for me… I am staying on the MTX for the relief from the RA. This particulate doctor will not give me anything for pain. My insurance will not cover my neurologist anymore so I feel I’m out to sea in a storm without a life jacket.
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