Stomach sensation like acid reflux in the same week I started methotrexate injections (again)
I have psoriatic arthrthritis. I had another medical condition that required antibiotics so my doctor told me to stop methotrexate until I was clear of antibiotics (which I did).
I started the shots again and during that week, maybe 1-2 days later I started having an upset stomach. It was not simple hearburns though, every time it happened I was in great discomfort. It interrupted my sleep, I also got serious hiccups for about 3 days.
Can methotrexate cause those symptoms when injected or could it be something else that just so happened to happen at the same week?
My doctor casually told me to stop methotrexate over the phone but didn't give me any alternatives, just left me hanging. I asked him if I could try at least to do the next shot to make sure it's the drug that's causing the issues and again he said "sure". (My doctor is not one to set the example unfortunatelly but he's the only one around here)
Any advice or someone with similar side effects who could tell me what they did about it would be appreciated.
Hi
, thank you for sharing with us all. This sounds very uncomfortable. I'm so sorry you're having to deal with this on top of the psoriatic arthritis symptoms.
I am taking the methotrexate tablets and I did at one point think that they were causing acid reflux. What I eventually figured out was that the large snack I took my methotrexate with right before bed was the issue. I did a low acid diet for a few months (I eat "normally" again now) and I take the methotrexate with my evening meal (instead of later in the night). I don't have any reflux issues anymore, so in my case I don't believe the methotrexate was the issue. We're all different though! Are you taking folic acid with the mtx? I know this is supposed to help mitigate some potential side effects. Also, do you have a rheumatology nurse contact? They can be really helpful between rheumatology appointments, especially if the GP is not very forthcoming with advice.
Another thought I had when reading your post is I wonder if it's the antibiotics that have upset your stomach? My understanding is that they can't differentiate between good and bad bacteria, and so they can end up killing off the essential good bacteria in our guts. I was on antibiotics for a long time for acne and they really affected my stomach. I found probiotics helpful, but again we're all different. If you don't think your doctor will be much help, you could see if your local pharmacist has any thoughts on this. I really hope you can get this all sorted. Aside from these issues, do you feel that the methotrexate helps with your PsA symptoms? Warmly, -Catherine, Community ModeratorThank you very much for taking the time to reply to me. I have the same thoughts about the antibiotics, I mean thoughts and also hopes, because I really don't want to go back to being in pain just for existing. With methotrexate and biological factor I'm actually ALMOST back to being a human being. I can do most if not all activities, work out and enjoy life. I really don't want to get off of it.
The difference between your situation and mine though is that I inject it, I (since I'm not relevant to medicine) don't get how that would affect my stomach. I didn't do the shot after all out of fear, but now I have the fear of symptoms returning just when I actually started getting fit and all that work will go to waste. Until this point I was not down about all this situation. But after this... I'm actually very stressed.
"You appreciate something when you lose it" type of thing.I will take your advice about asking the pharmacist, unfortunatelly there is no "rheumatology nurse contact" concept here in Greece. I'm also trying to get in touch with other doctors outside my area in hopes they will be more helpful and while I'm on that, I will have an appointment with the same doctor because over the phone he's treating me like a burden, I guess he wants that money.
Hi! I am passing along a message from Catherine who's been having some site issues responding back to your comment. Warmly, Minel (Team Member)
Lovely to hear back from you. My understanding is that whilst methotrexate injections wouldn't directly irritate the digestive system like tables can, it is a systemic medication and therefore there is a chance that it can cause digestive distress. It does seem to be much less common with the injections though, just from what I've heard from other community members. If I come across anyone on the injections I will send them the link to your post, in case they have any helpful input to share.I really hope that it isn't the methotrexate causing this issue. I can completely relate to being scared of symptoms returning. I was terrified of starting methotrexate and now I'm terrified of having to come off it. I really feel for you and definitely understand why you're feeling stressed. I'm sure this issue with your doctor is not helping matters. Hopefully the pharmacist will have some thoughts, and maybe there's another doctor you can see. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. Do you think you'll try another injection? Please keep us updated if you can, and remember that we're here anytime you need support or want to vent. Sending hugs! -Catherine, Community Moderator
Hello again, to both of you, the messenger
and the sender 😀 .
I visited my doctor today and after a really short discussion (no surprise there) we concluded that I should try and do the shot so we can be certain that that's what is causing the side effects and not something else that I ate.
So I did and now I have to wait and see if I'll get them again.There was a twist in the plot though and of course it had to be after I visited my doctor. My aunt told me that she knows a woman who has the exact same problem as I do and that she's taking methotrexate and biological factor as well. And that it was the biological factor that was upsetting her stomach and not methotrexate!!! UNFORTUNATELY This is the week where I'm supposed to do the Biological factor injection as well... So I'm scared yet again that I won't be able to distinguish between which one of the two causes the problems.
That's my update, I really appreciate the support here, nobody that I know in RL is going through the same thing so it's nice knowing that I'm talking to someone that understands even if it is in this form.
I'll post an update here about what it was when I figure it out in case somebody else going through the same thing needs information.
Hope you're all doing great.
Hey
! Thank you for the update. You have been in my thoughts 💖 Gosh, nothing's ever simple with PsA is it?! I think feeling scared under these circumstances is completely understandable. Hoping everything's going okay so far after the methotrexate injection, and that everything goes smoothly with the biologic! Please do keep us updated if you can, and feel welcome to stop by anytime you want to talk. We're all here for you. Warmest wishes, -Catherine, Community Moderator
