Methotrexate and Headaches: What Users Say

• Lag...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 10, 2019

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "This is a horrible drug. I took it once a week for 5 months, 12.5 mg of awfulness. My hair started falling out in clumps, even with taking folic acid. The headaches and nausea are debilitating, along with the fatigue and general malaise that I experienced for 2-3 days after taking it. It did not touch the flare-ups or the pain I experienced from the RA. I have now completely changed my diet and my way of thinking to combat this disease. No gluten, no dairy, stress-free as much as possible, and supplements like Nordic Fish Oils, Glucosamine, and Chondroitin Sulfates, and Turmeric help better than the Methotrexate did any day. I called this drug 'Poison' the whole time I was taking it. Now I feel way better not taking it, and I know why, because it is a POISON. Stay far away from this drug and try lifestyle changes before even considering this harmful drug."

• Cha...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 22, 2019

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I took this medication for about 5 years. Dr. increased the dose to 8 pills a week. While I was on this, I experienced bad headaches. I would bruise easily and badly if I bumped myself somewhere. I also developed lactose intolerance which I was not until I took this. Overall, this medicine was making me worse and in addition to this, Dr. would give me cortisone shots for my joint pain that never went away. Shots were bad too. After 5 years, I stopped taking this medication without the Dr.'s knowledge. I am now taking pure supplements and still fighting RA but I am methotrexate free for 6 years."

• flu...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 5, 2013

For Psoriasis "I've had severe psoriasis, which covered me head to toe since I was 5. I'm now 30. Tried every trick in the book from lotions and potions, light therapy, & homeopathic remedies. I put off taking methotrexate for fear of becoming a glow-in-the-dark alien with the side effects! Finally gave in last year and so glad I did. It cleared within 3 weeks. I'm now on 15mg a week and only have slight patches of psoriasis dotted about. Had a few bad headaches now and then but nothing extreme. A little wobbly on the blood tests but nothing life-threatening just yet. Much better quality of life at the moment, and much less hoovering, haha."

• Nig...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 8, 2016

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I am 62, and was diagnosed with RA about 10 years ago. I have been through a battery of drugs to suppress my immune system, ending up on subcutaneous methotrexate 10mg. I originally had a 'bad day' the day after my injections, however, it seems to be getting to be a bad couple of days lately. Intense pressure headache (I'm also a migraine sufferer), nausea, confusion, tiredness, and now really troubled sleep, nightmares, and some visual disruption (almost hallucinations), feelings of panic, unease, and claustrophobia. I know the alternatives, stop and face RA full on, but I would rather get 3/4 good days than be on the road to being completely disabled."

• Ore...
• February 6, 2018

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "The first two weeks were difficult. I had headaches, nausea, and no appetite. But by the third week, I was feeling better. I told the doctor about my reaction to the drug, and she put me on self-injection of the drug once a week. I cannot tell you how much better I feel. But then I thought, WAIT, what if I had been going through a remission episode? Either way, I have never felt better. Now I am going to start a rotation of infusions. I feel like someone got something right for a change. I totally credit my excellent doctor and her choice of treatment. Years and years of constant pain were almost more than I could take. But I was in so much pain that any reduction felt like a cure."

• Bic...
• July 24, 2011

For Psoriasis "I have been on methotrexate for 6 weeks now. So far, itchiness has been reduced significantly; lesions in my lower leg have dried up (light brown now); other lesions appear to be clearing up, though slowly. Side effects to me are nausea, feeling giddy, and occasional headache, though not severe. May I ask those who are on the same medication: how long did it take for all lesions to be cleared? About 70% of my body has psoriasis. Thank you."

• Cle...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 26, 2016

For Psoriatic Arthritis "Terrible experience - never again! I started taking the methotrexate on Thursday morning and felt sick for days! I'm highly sensitive to medication and was given 10 mg and 5 mg of folic acid all days except dose day. I managed to get to work the next day but was very fatigued, vague, and couldn’t function too well. I have never felt so tired as I did the weekend after and had to cancel all my plans. From Friday night, I was totally wiped out, no appetite, couldn’t stay awake, tummy ache, headache, and since Sunday, strands of hair have been falling out. My fringe/bangs thinned out, and hair kept falling out - after 1 tablet. It was a terrible experience."

• Mar...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 10, 2020

For Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis "I am a 24-year-old female. Diagnosed with JIA (juvenile idiopathic arthritis) when I was 2. I've been taking methotrexate since I was 10 years old. Worked like a charm with basically no side effects and only an occasional arthritis or uveitis flare-up (maybe once every 3-4 years). Started having side effects approximately 2 years ago. I get stomachache and headache the day I take my dose (20 mg - been on that dose for the last 6 years) or the next day, it basically makes me unable to do anything, and I have to lie down and just let it all pass. Doc said they'll put me on Humira this year because my uveitis in my left eye has been active for 2 years already, and corticosteroid eye drops seem to be ineffective. I think methotrexate really did help me a lot, and I would recommend taking it."

• Don...
• June 7, 2016

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I'm curious, can methotrexate cause weight gain? I rarely eat anymore, except for the three days leading up to my next dose. I'm fatigued, headaches, weak. Food causes acid, so I must be very careful that I eat bland foods with little fat, and since I've only been on it for 5 weeks, I'm in the MORE PAIN part of getting used to the meds part of all of this. But how could I possibly feel like I'm gaining weight when I eat next to nothing 4 out of 7 days and club crackers as my only snack?"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 23, 2024

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was 62 when diagnosed with RA. I am being treated with 25 mg of methotrexate each week, 400 mg of hydroxychloroquine a day, 7.5 mg of meloxicam as needed, 10 mg of prednisone as needed, and 2 folic acid tablets daily. My numbers, both RF and CRP, were extremely high initially. I have gone from extreme pain in my feet, hands, knees, wrists, shoulders, and hips to almost zero pain. I have experienced several side effects from the combination of all these medications: nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, sleeplessness, and headaches. I have lost over 20 lbs. All that being said, I am still far better off than I was without the medication. Prior to taking the medications, I had no life due to the pain, I spent my days on the couch and soaking in hot water. I now have my life back, and I am able to enjoy life again. So although my life may be shortened, I would rather have another 15 years of quality life instead of 30 years of misery."

• Roc...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 26, 2020

"I love this drug, methotrexate, for lupus. Cheap and effective. I've been on it about 6 months now. No adverse reactions beyond fatigue, headache, and nausea about 32 hours after. Yes, not pleasant, but for me, they faded by week 5 (or I got used to them). Worth it because my joint swelling is now under control. I can use stairs, walk without limping, and don't need any joints drained. And it's $11 a month. I'm glad I tried it. Works for me."

• Eve...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 2, 2021

For Scleroderma "Horrendous experience. Passing out, stomach pains, vomiting, heart palpitations, sweating, problems with concentration and speech, muscle aches, and exhaustion (sleeping all day and through the night), breathlessness, headache, irrational thoughts that worsened each week. I was sacked from my job as I couldn't function when on this drug. Doctors still keep pushing me to recommence, but I resist as I feel so much better not on this medication and continue to improve as each month passes. I had no quality of life when complying with 'treatment', at least I have a decent quality of life now (methotrexate free for over 6 months!)."

• Lef...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 8, 2021

For Psoriatic Arthritis "Taking 15 mg for a month. For me, the benefits didn't outweigh side effects. I would be so tired, didn't have the energy to do household tasks. Also had headaches, depression, felt blah, mouth sores, stomach acid, even though taking folic acid too. Both of my hands would break out in itchy blister bumps for a couple of days right after taking the dosage. Refuse to take again."

• Dan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 11, 2023

For Psoriatic Arthritis "Helped reduce psoriasis but not sure if helped with arthritis. Horrible side effects and considering if it’s worth it! Headaches, low mood, extreme fatigue lasting days, emotional, general feeling of being unwell, body aches, sore eyes, breathing differently, tighter sensation on chest, and feeling like I have less breath. Overall, I’m feeling this may not be for me!"

• Jan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 7, 2023

For Psoriatic Arthritis "At first, it was absolutely horrible. Twice I went to urgent care to get tested for COVID-19 and strep throat. A week apart. I had a horrible headache, mouth sores, and blisters in my throat, top of my mouth, and tongue. I started losing my hair in clumps. I called my rheumatologist the second week I took it because, by the weekend, I had the same symptoms as the previous week. They said to lower the dose by half. Things were better, but I still have fatigue, but that could be from the disease. I still lose more hair than normal, but not nearly as bad. It has been over a year since I started it. I take two other medications to try to keep inflammation under control. I have a huge problem with being told my blood work numbers look great, but I still feel like crap and have severe pain, and that is supposed to be normal. I get no idea on what to do to improve. Just listen to your body. Should I exercise? I get a shoulder shrug. Should I avoid certain things or foods? Shoulder shrug. Use heat or a cold pack, shoulder shrug. Listen."

• ESi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 21, 2023

"The side effects of this medication for me were far worse than the symptoms from my fibromyalgia and lupus. After one dose, I was unable to function for a few days. The headaches, nausea, and vomiting were horrible."

• Emm...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 1, 2024

For Psoriasis "Fantastic results! I have fairly severe psoriasis on both my shins, elbows, and scalp. I was quite anxious about wearing shorts. It pretty much cleared up after being on the medication for six months. It took around three months to take effect, but it was worth the wait. I take 10 mg once weekly with folic acid. The only issues were a bit of a headache on the dosing days and some hair loss. The hair loss was a concern, but it seems to have settled with the right hair products. The only reason why I would not rate it a 10 is that. Overall, I am very satisfied and will carry on with the medication. I hope this review helps!"

• Lad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 22, 2023

"I suffer from lupus, and I’m not sure if it’s working for me. I’m experiencing a high amount of fatigue and headaches."