I am now up to 17.5 mgs a week and am feeling a little mixed-up at times and even fearful of something at times. I also have a sore throat that will not go away. Are these things normal. I have been on methotrexate for 3-3.5 months. I am being treated for Crohn's disease.
Can methotrexate cause mental or mood changes?
Question posted by Gregsdrugs on 10 Nov 2012
Last updated on 30 December 2017 by charcrouse
3 Answers
charcrouse
31 Dec 2017
I was on methotrexate for three years. It affected me mentally. I became very afraid, started seeing things, was very suspicious of everyone. lost all my friends, almost got a divorce before I realized it was the drug. I went to my RA specialist and I told her I was very sick to my stomach a lot of the time. She wanted to try me on another drug but before I went on it I had to take two weeks and ween myself off methotrexate. Well with in the first week I was almost back to myself. I went back to the doctor and she told me that 4% of methotrexate patients for RA had mental issues. I will never go on another RA drug again. Why she didn’t tell me that it would affect me that way is beyond me. I am now taking CBD oil from the marijuana plant. 5 years later i’m feeling great.
Alyx
11 Nov 2012
Yes.
In addition to the extensive post above, I need to ask has your Dr also given you prescription FOLATE (folic acid) or lucovorine? This medication blocks folate, a.B-vitamin intrinsic to the development of nerve cells. So many problems ( not the sore throat) could be B vitamin deficiencies.
I take 30 mgs weekly. I had terrible nerve and anxiety problems until I was started on 1mg of folic acid DAILY and bi monthly B-12 injections.
Now aside from nausea and tiredness the day after, I am doing much better!
Alyx
11 Nov 2012
Based on your DX of Crohn's, you will have malabsorbtion with the disease, now add the methotrexate, if you have ANY residual B vitamins in your tissues, I'd be suprised!
I have celiac disease, so I too had malabsorbtion problems. Maybe why I had side effects simliar to yours.
Alyx
Gregsdrugs
11 Nov 2012
Thank you for the comments. I have been taking 1mg of folic acid for years because of the Crohn's and am now taking 2 mg a day because of the methotrexate. I'm also receiving B12 injections and taking multi B vitamins. I was having headaches and anxiety while I was at 12mg of methotrexate. I really didn't put the symptoms and the meds together until I went to 17mg and the sore throat started and almost daily anxiety and nervousness began. I am not a nervous person. So now I am suspicious of the methotrexate.
Gregsdrugs
11 Nov 2012
I lost my entire colon to Crohn's and have it in my j-pouch, small intestine, duodenum, and lower esophagus which really lower my absorption of vitamins.
Inactive
10 Nov 2012
Yes, it can cause moodiness.
Sore throat is a serious side effect, discontinue methotrexate and contact Dr. asap.
Nervous system
Nervous system side effects include headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, blurred vision, subtle cognitive dysfunction, ******moodiness*****, tinnitus or unusual cranial sensations. After intrathecal administration, headache, back pain, fever, and even transient paraplegias have been reported. A case of acute chorea and a case of a woman who couldn't speak after receiving methotrexate by intrathecal administration have also been reported. Serious neurotoxicity has been associated with the use of high-dose MTX after intrathecal or intraventricular administration to patients who have undergone craniospinal irradiation, but has also been described in other patients who have received low-dose oral therapy.
The development of serious neurotoxicity is more likely if MTX is given in high doses to patients who have undergone craniospinal irradiation.
Significant neurotoxicity can present as an acute stroke-like encephalopathy or a chronic leukoencephalopathy. Unique features of the former include its acute onset (seizures, confusion, hemiparesis, speech problems, loss of consciousness) and reversibility within days.
The use of high-dose IV MTX has been associated with the development of chronic delayed leukoencephalopathy in patients with or without a history of craniospinal irradiation. A syndrome of subtle personality changes followed by a progressive dementia, focal seizures, pseudobulbar palsy, spastic quadriparesis, and stupor may begin several months after the initiation of therapy. Affected patients often improve after discontinuation of therapy.
Intrathecal or intraventricular administration of MTX has been associated with the acute onset of headache, nausea, vomiting, fever, back pain, dizziness, and meningismus. Acute symptoms usually resolve within one to two days. In some cases, subacute neurotoxicity, with myelopathy or encephalopathy, may occur within days to weeks. Subacute neurotoxicity is usually characterized by paresis/plegia, dementia, confusion, tremor, ataxia, irritability, and somnolence.
Delayed leukoencephalopathy, as described above, has also been associated with the use of intrathecal MTX. The condition can improve but can be progressive and fatal.
Progressive dementia and leukoencephalopathy has been reported in at least one case after low-dose, oral administration of MTX for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Some side effects of methotrexate may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or health care specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.
For the Consumer
Applies to methotrexate: oral tablet
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction while taking methotrexate: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using methotrexate and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
dry cough, shortness of breath;
diarrhea, vomiting, white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;
blood in your urine or stools;
urinating less than usual or not at all;
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
*****sore throat**** and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, weakness; or
nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Less serious side effects of methotrexate may include:
nausea, vomiting, upset stomach;
dizziness, tired feeling;
headache;
bleeding of your gums; or
blurred vision.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
Read more at: https://www.drugs.com/sfx/methotrexate-side-effects.html
Get well soon,
maso.-
Gregsdrugs
11 Nov 2012
Thank you for the valuable information!
Inactive
11 Nov 2012
You are welcome.-
Related topics
tonsillitis/pharyngitis, crohn's disease, methotrexate, throat
Further information
- Methotrexate uses and safety info
- Methotrexate prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Methotrexate (detailed)
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