Methotrexate Injections

[RafHam]

Hi everyone

I'm new to the forums. I've already written my life story in the newbie section but I've got a specific question re Methotrexate injections. I was on Imuran but was switched to weekly Methotrexate injections a couple of weeks ago. I had my second injection today and my GP was asking why the GI specialist chose injections over tablets which I couldn't answer.

I was wondering whether anyone has experience with either or both and can give advice about pros and cons to the two methods.

Btw I'm also on 10mg pred and 8 weekly remicade infusions.

Thanks

 

[soupdragon69]

Some docs go straight to injections rather than tablets because a common side effect with Methotrexate is nausea and/or vomiting.

Some ways to get round this are to take tablets in the evening pre bedtime or take an anti sickness tablet for the first few weeks a little while before the metho until things settle down.

Ask your doc next time you talk to them why they chose that route. Perhaps its just something they do where you are for instance?

Welcome to the forum!

 

[RafHam]

Thanks for the replies.

Yeah I thought it might be an absorption thing. It's just a hassle going to the GP every week. I'd like to do it at home - I've done HUMIRA at home with no problems - but I think they'll only let me do that once they know it's working and their aren't any probems.

Fingers crossed that it works because I need to get off the prednisone. Has anyone got experience with it in terms of it working or not?

 

[jed]

i've been on meth (pills) since my surgery almost two years ago, and had virtually no problems what so ever. hope it works this well for you

 

[Chrismom]

My son has been taking the pill form of methotrexate for the last 4 months. The pills are VERY tiny so if the reason you are on the injection is because you can not swallow them...maybe you should at least give it a try. He takes 8 of them every Monday night before he goes to bed and has had no problems at all with any nauseousness and believe me he throws up a lot. The are about the same size as a baby aspirin. Give it a try...

 

[kello82]

i was on methotrex injections for a while too, never had the pill version though. i asked my gi about it (cause i hateddd the injections for some reason) and i think it was cause they had found that the pills arent as effective. probably cause of absorbtion problems? not sure, but they never let me switch

 

[RafHam]

I just returned an elevated liver function test. No more Metho for me, I think I'll be going back to Imuran.

 

[soupdragon69]

Yeah I did that trick too and stopped it in January.

Restarted it at a lower dose 3-4wks ago now once my levels were ok and my levels are just within the upper end of normal.

Just keeping an eye on it for now but not increasing my dose either as was the plan.

Sitting tight really.. Imuran and 6MP both did the same thing to me so make sure you do your blood tests regularly if on either of them.

Hope you get something sorted out.

 

[Brando]

metho is absorbed in the terminal ileum and most people with crohn's have problems absorbing the pill form which is why they go for injections.