Methotrexate and Loss Of Appetite: What Users Say

• tig...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 10, 2019

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Methotrexate was totally useless and side effects far outweigh benefits. I'm unable to eat, my hair is falling out, and I have chronic stomach pains. My RA doctor completely ignores me when I told them about the adverse effects and swapped to a milder dose injection, but it was to no avail."

• Gcq...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 22, 2020

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I take 8 pills once a week. 4 in the morning, 4 in the evening. At first, I thought it was so awful: no appetite, no energy, upset stomach. Then I changed to taking the dosage 2 times in that day, which has helped. I still have appetite loss, and some foods make me feel ill. My pain is gone, so I applaud methotrexate. I take swim aerobics now, trying to build strength up. The only problem is I have low hemoglobin, but I am sure the doctor will figure it out. I take 2 folic acid daily. I am prediabetic, take metformin, but no drinking."

• Gcq...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 22, 2020

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I take 8 pills once a week. 4 in the morning, 4 in the evening. At first, I thought it was so awful: no appetite, no energy, upset stomach. Then I changed to taking the dosage 2 times in that day, which has helped. I still have appetite loss, and some foods make me feel ill. My pain is gone, so I applaud methotrexate. I take swim aerobics now, trying to build strength up. The only problem is I have low hemoglobin, but I am sure the doctor will figure it out. I take 2 folic acid daily. I am prediabetic, take metformin, but no drinking."

• Anonymous
• December 6, 2011

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Started taking methotrexate 24th November 4 x 2.5mg weekly. Didn't feel too bad until Sat 3rd December and felt really ill. I had the flu jab as well, hopefully things will improve but I was in bed from Saturday until today, and I have a taste of metal in my mouth. I can't eat and haven't enjoyed a cup of tea. I also take the folic acid. I have lost 4 lb in weight since Saturday."

• Gmh...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 1, 2016

For Psoriasis "I was on methotrexate for 3-4 years after trying every option. I started 17.5 mg when I was 19. It cleared my psoriasis perfectly! I struggled with side effects: weakness and exhaustion, loss of appetite which led to severe weight loss, and nausea. I changed to the injections at 20 mg and found a huge difference in side effects. Still not a lot of energy, but not going through my stomach was better for the nausea and appetite, so I could get healthy. I stayed on methotrexate for as long as I could before I felt it was draining me. Now I am off it for 1 year and have bad psoriasis again. I'm wondering if it's best to go back on. Both affect you in different ways, emotionally and physically."

• 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."

• Cas...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 20, 2016

For Psoriatic Arthritis "Works moderately well and with few side effects for me. I take 7.5-10 mg a week alongside 200 mg twice daily hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) and 1 mg folic acid 6 times a week (not on my MTX day). It's pretty cheap with insurance and even without it. The side effect that I get is a metallic taste in my mouth/tingles in my tongue towards my bottom teeth and loss of appetite (which is common to me on any arthritis medications and ever since I got arthritis in the first place) and feeling slightly sick after I take the pills. The drug definitely has had a positive effect on my pain levels, though, and has even led to a reduction in my overall meds. I'm feeling much better than I used to and am able to work and have a pretty normal life again."

• one...
• March 30, 2013

For Psoriasis "My mother broke out, seemed like overnight, with red bumps that quickly turned into dry patches. The dermatologist knew right away what it was. We have been on the methotrexate for 6 weeks, and the flaking is totally gone and is healing. The dose was 2 Friday mornings, 2 Friday evenings, and 2 Saturday mornings. The only side effect was appetite and being very tired for 2 days."

• Joh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 12, 2017

For Psoriasis "I am 27 and started having psoriasis when I was 20. I am covered 80%. My rheumatologist has started me on a methotrexate shot once a week, as well as folic acid every day, but the day of the shot. I am currently on day 5, my skin has stopped forming layers about 90%, but it is still red with small patches here and there. From the time I got the shot, I have only felt low energy and low appetite. No serious side effects. I must add, before going on methotrexate, you should start eating healthier and detox the body the best you can for a month prior to going on methotrexate. If you don't, you are doing more harm than good because your immune system is going to sleep mode, and if you got a load of junk and bad bacteria left, they will just take over."

• 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."

• Jon...
• February 3, 2016

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Been taking MTX, folic and Plaquenil for 1.5 years. My biggest side effect is lack of appetite. Not sure if it is the MTX or Plaquenil causing this, but as a result, I feel I have no energy or muscle mass left. I wonder whether it is better to take the drugs or let the RA run its course. History of cancer in the family, but not seeing any reference to that side effect here."

• ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 16, 2023

For Psoriatic Arthritis "My experience was terrible. I had a bad reaction to taking methotrexate. I couldn't eat, my mouth and my gums were covered in blisters, I was tired, I couldn't get out of bed for three days, and I lost my appetite-not good when you're type 1 diabetic. On day four, I had diarrhea, and I stopped taking it straight away."

• Cal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 24, 2017

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Made me very tired! Had no appetite."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 7, 2017

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "After the 3rd dose, swelling and pain significantly decreased, almost to normal. The only side effect thus far has been fatigue and decreased appetite."

• Sau...
• November 2, 2020

For Psoriasis "I just take this methotrexate for 2 days of 5 mg, and I felt very tired, dizziness, and loss of appetite too. This is really not a good medicine. Don't take this, please."