Methotrexate and Fatigue: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Mis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 9, 2021

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "53 years old, diagnosed in 2010 with RA. Prior to taking this, was taking Plaquenil 400 mg and Prednisone 5 mg daily. Had to discontinue the Plaquenil (5-2021) due to constant lower GI bleeding and diarrhea. I've been on MTX 25 mg (6×2.5 mg) once per week and it is helping. I had been in near constant flares after getting Covid (6-2021) and had so much pain and stiffness that I cried any time I had to move around. Now I only flare once, maybe twice a week, or if I overdo it. I do have some side effects: fatigue (up to two days after dose), but a few short naps help, a little nausea (I found six smaller meals and saltines helped with it). The biggest one I had was hair loss during dose week three. My scalp got really itchy and felt really dry and tight, so I wet my hair, thinking it was just dry and was just going to wash it after. Nope, about 50% of it fell out as soon as it was wet, which was a bit of a shock, but it's slowly growing back. Small prices to pay to be almost flare-free and have mobility back."

• sca...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 14, 2021

For Psoriasis "I have had psoriasis since 2008. I am 67 years old and have had psoriasis on the bottom of my feet since 2008. Last summer, it showed up on the palms of my hands, between my fingers, and the tips of my fingers. Having been advised by my dermatologist to take methotrexate years ago, I finally gave in and started taking 15 mg once per week and 1 mg of folic acid 6 days per week. I started this regimen in October. My feet and hands are finally starting to clear. The first day after the meds, I feel wiped out. I wish I had started taking this medication a long time ago. This medication has given me my life back!"

• Can...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 16, 2023

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I started injecting methotrexate after the doctor felt the pill dosage was too low. I would inject once a week, and then I'd get nausea and fatigue to the point of incapacity. It would take 3 days to recover from the injection, for about two days of feeling a little relief from my psoriatic arthritis symptoms."

• Ean...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 31, 2019

"My medical condition is polycondritis and Sweets Syndrome, and I have been on methotrexate for a month, and my test results are worse than before while taking it. I was originally taking dapsone, which I loved. No side effects and no restrictions! However, apparently it was lowering my blood count, and I was becoming anemic (I guess one side effect, eye roll). Anyways, ever since I started methotrexate, I have just felt awful. Always exhausted, fatigued, body muscles and joints ache, sick constantly, and just weird things that weren’t happening before. I’m seeing my rheumatologist in a few weeks, but I’m trying to get off this ASAP. I take six pills once a week and folic acid daily."

• 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!"

• val...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 27, 2015

For Ectopic Pregnancy "Ectopic pregnancy, 11 weeks. Was not warned about the side effects other than I would have cramping and pain. Day 1 after methotrexate not too bad, definitely nauseous and lower back cramping, then toward the end of day 2 and days 3 and 4 I felt like I had been hit by a truck. Terrible nausea, felt like my body was made of lead, no strength, no energy, strong labor-like pain and all-over malaise."

• Mar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 10, 2021

For Psoriasis "Diagnosed with moderate severe psoriasis at age 14 and am now 66. Treated with topicals and UVB for decades. Began 15 mg methotrexate and 1 gm folic acid 2 years ago, and skin is mostly clear. Some fatigue, but routine blood work is WNL. Thankful for this drug and encourage psoriasis sufferers to consider it."

• MDB...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 4, 2021

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Methotrexate, 15 mg injections, helped tremendously with degeneration of joints, stiffness, and pain but has debilitating, profound fatigue. I take 5 mg of folic acid a day and even have added post-injection Leucovorin. With no reduction of fatigue and brain fog/short-term memory loss. Taking for several months along with prednisone and hydroxychloroquine, I am surprised the company, Pfizer, has not by now found something to help with this."

• 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."

• 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."

• kar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 28, 2018

For Psoriatic Arthritis "Effective for clearing the psoriasis from my skin, but no joint relief. Also, the nausea and severe fatigue caused too much interaction with my daily life. I was on 30 mg a week."

• FAY...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 7, 2023

For Psoriasis "In the beginning, I used to get very fatigued and had diarrhea. Now, 5 years later, I am okay. I am still on the meds, and they are really helping me."

• 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."

• ste...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 24, 2023

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "For 3 or 4 days a week, I'm so tired. I sleep 15 hours, then I get three days of energy. It does stop the joint pain, but at the cost of lack of energy and desire to do anything."

• Alp...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 18, 2017

For Psoriasis "I vomited after alcoholic drinks. Overall fatigue. My joints are more sensitive."