Methotrexate Side Effect -- HELP!

[SjoAmy]

Its been 4 days since I ingested my first 5 mg dose of Methotrexate --MTX.

Now I have bilateral edema with HOT TIGHT RED SKIN.  HOT TO TOUCH.  Skin that is so tight that the tops of my feet have overtaken the ankles.

Am going to call the doctor on Monday.  Visiting nurse is coming this morning for the eval.


On the other side: my pain level is down, my joints hurt less, swelling in my right arm went down.

Have any of you had this side effect on methotrexate, or any other side effects while on methotrexate?

I could use some hope.

[slccom]

I don't even play a doctor on TV, but it sounds like you have celluitis on your legs. I hope you feel better soon, and get answers even faster.

Hugs, Sharon

[Nancy60]

It does sound like cellulitis. Get in touch with your doctor. Also, I recently started methotrexate too and was told to make sure to not go on Biaxin(sp?) or penicillin type antibiotics with methotrexate so be sure to check with the doctor prescribing the methotrexate about whatever med they use.  Hope you get this under control soon. Feel better

Nancy

[SjoAmy]

My face turned red and hot today.  Temp is 99.1

That suspicious faint malar rash.....well, it is no longer faint.

I'm really concerned, but I want to wait until morning to call my doctor.  I don't trust the ER, after what happened last time I was there, two weeks ago.

[Nancy60]

What did the visiting nurse think?  Be sure to call doctor first thing in the morning and beg, plead or whatever you have to do to get in to be seen.

Nancy

[SjoAmy]

He -- the visiting nurse -- wasn't worth much.  Did a lot of history, confirmed meds.

Irony is the spice of my life.  Went to bed at 3AM with the problem, woke up in pain at 6:30AM, the redness was gone. Still felt warm to hot. Visiting nurse came at 8AM. He didn't even want to admit to the edema, until I demanded that he look at the tops of my feet.  Then he conceded a little bit....my right leg is only 4x the size of my left in width.  The tops of my feet go over my ankles but yet he had a hard time admitting to seeing the edema. 

Then, around 6 PM, it comes back again.  This time red face too. And a 99.1 temp.

[susanep]

You do need to see your doctor.

susanep

[jazzlover]

Take photos and call the doctor!

[Dee]

SjoAmy I know what you mean about the ER but it sounds like you need to be seen ASAP.

Hope it has all subsided by the time you see this post.

Dee

[genko_b]

I did not have that side effect with the methotrexate, but almost died (no exaggeration) from its effects on my lungs. I assume you stopped taking it right away, to prevent further issues from starting.

I agree with everyone here who has said see a doc right away, even if that means the ER.

Take care,

Genko

[slccom]

I would go to my doctor's office as soon as it opens and stay there until they see you.

But then, I am rather assertive. 

Hugs, Sharon

[bloodless]

SEE DR IMMEDIATELY!! Do not pass go.
With any drug, if you have a big side effect, call your dr.
I'm sorry methotrexate didn't work for you. I've been on it a long time. I'm taking 25 mg a week and it's helped me alot.

[SjoAmy]

Talked to my pharmacist, who is so good she ought to be a doctor!  She said as long as it was phasing in and out, with more emphasis on out and being able to phase out, then I was okay and that this was expected.  Talked to the OT, she agreed with the pharmacist, and that this being a difficult inflammation to bring down, to stick it out until it becomes unbearable, and to call her and show her changes if/when it happens again.

Am going to take pictures from this point on, and journal length, duration and symptoms from this point out.

Finally got a shower today! Felt SO VERY GOOD!  Took a lot out of after tho. Had to take pain med.

I got a really great OT.

[SjoAmy]

2nd dose of Methotrexate was last night.  Slept like a baby last night.  Tonight, stomach is a bit sour....had regurgitation that almost bordered on vomiting.  Informed the neurologist of the addition of methotrexate.  So far so good.

[SjoAmy]

HEAVY nausea.