Methotrexate and Nausea: 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."

• Anonymous
• March 29, 2009

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "At first I was really apprehensive about taking Methotrexate (7.5mg a week), but it seems to be working well. I've been taking it since November 2008. My side effects are minimal. Once a week I get nausea, which usually occurs the day after I take my weekly dose. My test results have come back normal too. I'm not a medicine taker and the idea of taking such a strong medication still scares me, but I will continue with my weekly dosage because it helps with my rheumatoid arthritis a lot. One thing I'm consistent with is taking my Folic Acid since it helps prevent my side effects. I don't even get the very common mouth sores."

• CCE...
• August 13, 2015

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I took Methotrexate for 17 years. Started with tablets but progressed to injections for less chance of side effects (and cheaper!). Always felt tired and nauseous for a day after, which got worse and lasted longer over the years, so that instead of just folic acid, my rheum had me take leucovorin the day after (a stronger folic acid). But 6 months ago I developed fatigue, malaise and chronic low-grade fever despite normal blood tests; my rheum said he had seen that before in other patients taking Methotrexate and considered it a toxic reaction! There is no literature on this reaction, but I got better once I stopped, so just be aware."

• Kim...
• January 6, 2014

For Psoriasis "Tried all other methods for relief of psoriasis, 80% of body. Have been on methotrexate for 5.5 weeks, belly, back, chest, and forearms are all clear. Very mild psoriasis that isn't red or irritated on upper arms and lower legs. My confidence and self-esteem have increased heaps. Excited to go for a swim 2nd time since I've had psoriasis (7 years). Only had bad fatigue for the first few weeks, haven't drunk any alcohol, healthy diet with minimal junk food, and nausea if I eat something really fatty, e.g., pizza. Skin color isn't yellowing nor getting black under the eyes, or anything else relating to bad liver. Would definitely recommend this medication."

• Coc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 22, 2014

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have only been taking the Methotrexate since the end of September and I am on 25mg per week. I was also prescribed the Folic Acid but can't take that as it causes such an upset stomach that I stopped it altogether. So far, the only symptoms I have had were in the beginning, and that was feeling nausea and very tired the day after taking it. It has helped with the swelling and pain, and I have no pain in my knees anymore, just a bit in the hands, wrists, and my one foot."

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 31, 2015

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "When all other meds/combo of meds failed my rheumy put me on MTX (8 tabs @ 2.5 mg once a week). I still take 4 mg prednisone twice a day, 400 mg of Plaquenil at night, and folic acid every morning. It's been a long road and a lot of ups and downs but I have seen the most progress since MTX was added to my combo of meds. I still have some pain but the stiffness (which used to last most of the day) and the swelling have improved. I am always nauseous and feel lethargic the first 24-48 hours after the MTX dose but 1-2 days of that is better than the alternative. I've always been extremely active so it has been rough struggling to do simple things."

• Pea...
• October 23, 2016

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was started on Plaquenil when diagnosed with RA about two years ago at the end of summer. I told the doctor there was no way I would take MTX. By the following late spring, I had what took me a while to realize was a major flare-up. I already had one pointer finger that couldn't bend, and now the other one was stuck in the out position. I couldn't make fists. So, I started on MTX once a week, along with 1 mg of folic acid per day. After about two months, I began to see improvements. After a longer time, my doctor said I was in remission. I take both Plaquenil and MTX, with few side effects. On my MTX day, and the day after, I'm sometimes low energy, and often slightly queasy. Not enough to keep me from eating entirely."

• Anonymous
• October 19, 2012

Methotrexate for Rheumatoid Arthritis "Took methotrexate for 6 months after diagnosis for Rheumatoid arthritis, seemed to work fairly well for the pain/stiffness, but I had terrible side effects including nausea, fatigue, mood swings - almost couldn't get to work, coming up stairs felt like my feet weighed 500 pounds each - almost could not function at all. Now going to try an injectable form to see if that will not cause the side effects - hopeful."

• 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."

• Nan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 18, 2020

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Been on methotrexate for five months now. It still makes me nauseous, and I hate continuing with these injections. I see my doctor in March. If I have to continue with them, I'm going to ask for oral instead. I still have a lot of pain in my hands, hips, back, and knees. Everywhere. Is this medication helping anybody?"

• Sha...
• July 19, 2015

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was diagnosed at 10 months old after a knee biopsy. I have been taking methotrexate on and off since I was 16 years old and I am now 41 years old. This medication has greatly reduced the activity of the disease and has increased the quality of my life greatly. I have just changed from methotrexate oral tablets to methotrexate injections. The tablets were making me feel nauseous so my specialist decided to put me on injections to bypass my stomach. The injections are easy to administer and relatively pain-free. I am presently just trying to find the right dose for me due to suffering side effects. 15 mg has caused me severe sore lips and mouth, nausea, dizziness, lethargy, and abdominal cramps. 12.5 mg is the correct dose for me."

• Anonymous
• June 19, 2010

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "It definitely helps with the pain and mobility part of rheumatoid arthritis, but I am nauseous usually 2 or three days after I do the shot. I'm also tired a lot and feel weak after I take my weekly shot. Sometimes I don't take it consistently because I don't feel like being sick that week. I do enjoy it when my fingers actually bend though."

• kpa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 9, 2014

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I've had rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for 35 years. I finally found a rheumatologist that was very good. I started on Plaquenil, which was great, but I developed an allergy to it. Switched to methotrexate oral, but had a hard time tolerating the nausea and diarrhea. Switched to injectable methotrexate, and had no nausea, limited diarrhea. It worked moderately well for the RA. Not completely pain free, but could do most things most days. I got cellulitis while on it, so had to go off for about 3 mos. When I went back to it, it didn't seem to work quite as well, and I realized I was experiencing more side effects than I was aware of the first time: thin skin, dermatitis, bruising, bleeding, hair falling out. New rheumatologist (my good one moved) decided to try Arava."

• pro...
• October 19, 2017

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) at 7 years old. I have been on a number of medications, including methotrexate, the only reason being my vision. I am now 18 years old and have been using the medication for about a year now, but have used it before and have the same bad experience with it. I take the medication weekly, every Thursday. After I take the dosage, I immediately feel nauseous, and it does not just last for that day. It lasts throughout the whole weekend. I am not an advocate for this drug and would not recommend it to anyone. I feel as if it is making my body deteriorate, and I'm so young..."

• Kar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 29, 2015

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I am 23 years old. I was diagnosed with RA at age 21. My pain, swelling, and fatigue were so severe that I could barely walk and had to be in a wheelchair during my hospital stay. My rheumatologist started me on MTX immediately along with prednisone. At one point, I was also taking Enbrel (biologic), but the auto-injections were so painful that it outweighed the benefit of the drug, and I stopped taking it. I am now only taking prednisone during flare-ups and take 25 mg of MTX every week. The RA already makes me so tired, the added side effects of MTX are next to unbearable. The day after I take the drug, I am so fatigued that I can barely pick my head up. The nausea and vomiting are awful. It makes me think: Would you rather not be able to walk, or walk and be sick?"

• Cat...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 1, 2018

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Started on a low dose about 18 months ago and gradually increased to 5 tabs weekly along with leucovorin (folinic acid) since folic acid didn't stop side effects. Had horrible reactions to several other meds. Joints feel better most days except for flare-ups, which is when doc says to increase. Eight months ago, I started having severe abdominal pain, nausea, and sudden urgent bouts of diarrhea. RA doc said it's NOT MTX. Have had two internal and two external ultrasounds, lab tests, endoscopy with seven biopsies, gallbladder functions test, etc. They only found that my stomach lining is inflamed. Saw three docs plus RA doc, and I still say it's the MTX! Just increased the dose by one tab again, and I barely made it to the toilet! Now they want to try removing my gallbladder to see if it helps, even though low no tests showed it's that!!! Pain is on the upper right side at the bottom of my stomach and goes down from there four inches next to my belly button. Also, the GI doc ruled out appendix, diverticulitis, etc. HELP my belly pain!"

• Kvb...
• April 9, 2017

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was taking methotrexate 20 mg PO for over a year and switched to injectable, which lasted maybe 6 months. I finally just got taken off the methotrexate after seeing my rheumatologist last week. She immediately insisted we get me off of it after I told her my symptoms: weight loss from ~105 lbs-92 lbs (I'm 5 ft), constant nausea, asthmatic symptoms (inhalers didn't help), consistent mouth ulcers, crippling fatigue, and a general feeling of unwellness. After a large work-up with my GP, as she was super concerned something else was going on, I now look back and am surprised I stayed on the methotrexate that long. Ultimately, the drug did an okay job in suppressing flare-ups, but I've whittled down to nothing. Starting sulfasalazine soon..."

• Aro...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 13, 2013

For Psoriasis "Started taking methotrexate approximately 1 and a half weeks ago. Already have seen significant improvements. I have had over 75% coverage of psoriasis from head to toe since my teens, and I am now 45. Minor troubling side effects include slight nausea, bad fatigue, and dizziness. These clear up after I finish my three-day treatment. Positive outweighs the negative. I am scheduled for my first liver test on October 1st. In my opinion... worth it!"

• hop...
• June 9, 2015

For Psoriasis "Just started the 15 mg dose taken as 6 x 2.5 mg tablets. 1st week taking them I had explosive diarrhea after 1 hour of taking the medication. I hoped it was coincidence. 1 week later I am already seeing an improvement in my psoriasis. I took the dosage this week on an empty stomach and within an hour stomach cramps and diarrhea. I am going to stick with it until my appointment with the dermatologist when I will ask for injections instead. I did have very mild nausea and a slightly fuzzy head after. I will keep you all updated."

• kar...
• October 16, 2016

Methotrexate for Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was in remission with Arava and oral methotrexate for 7 years, but stopped taking methotrexate because I didn't think I needed it anymore, and I was slightly nauseated every time I took it. It was a big mistake because my feet are a hot mess. I became totally out of remission with major shoulder/neck pain and fatigue. I recently added Otrexup, in addition to taking Arava. After 2 weeks, I was pain-free and my energy level has returned. I am paying $179 per month for Otrexup, and it's a hardship. I am planning to discuss with my doctor going back on oral methotrexate, which is only $10 per month."

• Ann...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 25, 2018

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Methotrexate was given to me for my RA at 15 mg once a week by tablet. It gave me mouth ulcers, nausea, and great fatigue for one or two days. My knees swelled up more while I was on it. I see a lot of folks take it, the best thing that has helped me is eating mostly vegetables and avoiding dairy, grains, and nightshades, but everybody responds to food differently."

• 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."

• ein...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 20, 2016

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was very ill on methotrexate for 10 weeks, nauseous, weak, pain in my chest. I was told I would get used to the side effects. After 10 weeks, I ended up in the ER vomiting blood, requiring blood transfusions. Methotrexate was very dangerous for me and has destroyed my stomach. I found minocin very helpful until I pulled out an infected root canal... Instant relief. No pains now."

• Lag...
• October 25, 2016

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was diagnosed with RA just under a year ago. I started with 10 mg tablets with Folic Acid. Initially, I suffered from a lot of nausea and bad sleep, etc. I must confess, though, after the first diagnosis, every twitch or cough made me think the worst. My doctor upped my dosage to 12.5 mg and changed me to the injection, which she said should take away the nausea, which worked, but the pains remained. She also put me on anti-inflammatory pills. Shortly after my last check-up in July, my pains have nearly completely subsided, so I didn’t."

• 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."