Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group methotrexate side effects

today I woke up with sores all inside my mouth, and itching and rash developing on my left side. Looks kind of like shingles (from previous experience) but am guessing it is mtx reaction-took it on Tues. Also short of breath, even with asthma inhaler. Waiting for the doc's office to open, but hoping some of my kickAS buddies out there might have good advice, similar experiences, etc. Thanks in advance!

Do you take Folic acid?? You really do need to take it with Methotrexate or this is what happens...if you are taking it maybe you need to increase how much you are taking???

Dan

Hi Mary
Oh boy, do I feel for you, I used to get the mouth ulcers, enough that I could not eat for 2 days, just luke wark chicken soup, or something like it, Oh and maybe some sloppy scambled eggs, Oh what joy. Serioulsly though, It hurts, my Dr prescribed me with a Soluble Prednisolone Tablet 5mgs, which I could swill around my mouth and throat, also I used to gargle with soluble Aspirin too, it took the stinging away, for a while. I am still on MTX 0mgs) and I take 5mgs of Folic acid for 6 days.
Hope you get some relief soon.

hiya,

I do n't get mouth sores on MTX since being on dmards etc my moth is far better than before.

So you may have an infection,
or you
May have a reaction,
or
Do you similar sores with AS/IBD etc as mouth sores are par for the course in some of us?

I agree on the folate!

I've tried heaps of things, but slice some thin garlic and put that on them see if it helps can take a day or so but works better than expensive moth washes (I did n;t beleive it, and my sone also swears by it).

also gargle eith salty water, get anew toothebrush etc just incase it is an opportuntist infection.

David

Hey, All
Thanks for the helpful ideas. My rheumy confirmed MTX reaction, and said it should self-limit in 24 hours. I have been on this stuff for years without this level of reaction. too long of a winter here in Michigan, I think. But will try suggestions and get new toothbrush. Another possible culprit is the daily asthma stuff Advair-it can cause yeast infections, but I am really careful about rinsing after I use it. These sores and so on are strange. But eating,swallowing, etc. is definitely a challenge to say the least. I am also on Enbrel. So who knows! But might try a short course of pred too. I promised to call doc back tomorrow and let him know how I am, so we will see what he suggests. Thanks again!

Hiya,

glad you did the Dr thing.....moths whatever the reason can be another misery that lengthens the day, hope it recovers soon!

david

So now, several days later, I'm still miserable, and the sores are opened and running down my throat. I think the "opportunistic infection" thing needs to be checked out. My rheumy's office called today to see how I was doing, and they want me to come in Wed., so I have to just hold out until then. Could it be a strange form of the flu? I am coughing and wheezing some too. It all seems to have started Thursday with the mouth and throat sores. Getting some relief with a combo of ibuprofen and robitussin (quiets the cough from all the stuff in the throat)
Strange thing, this. Thanks again to all who checked this post out and offered help. Feel free to email me personally too.

Hi,
Been having the same problem with the methotrexate. Mine turned into thrush sounds kind of what you're describing. My doc said not uncommon when short circuting the immune system. i take the folic acid, but still have this problem. Sometime it clears up on it's own. This time the doc put me on mycelex and diflucan. Helpful almost immediatley. Hope you feel better. This methotrexate is tricky stuff. had a problem with it 2 weeks and ended up in the er for fluids and meds. After that it seems to be staying down (zofran helps) but it just took so much out of my body. Hang in there. Lori

wow sounds scary sorry you have to go through those sides ..Ive been on mtx for 3 yrs now and luckily had no reactions to it .It has helped me the most out of everything ive tried ..I also keep up on the folic to keep it in line...Steve