Methotrexate & Fatigue....how long will it last?
Only the second week I've taken this drug but holy-schmoly it wipes me out!! First day I took it had me on the couch all day with a manageable headache, but felt somewhat better the next day. All the same, last week I continually felt like my "get up and go" had got up and went! Took it again today and I just wanna have a lie down with my blankie! I can handle a day or two a week of this for the "greater good" and all, but then I just got stuff I gotta do!! I'm not like completely incapacitated or anything but I am getting really tired of my husband's cooking...God bless him! Sheez! I even find myself pining to do the stuff I used to complain about doing! Oh what bliss it t'would be to scrub some toilets...I mean what the heck!! Will this gradually get any better as my body acclimates?!
I've also used methotrexate and boy, does it ever pack a wallop in the beginning. As the treatment progresses, your body will adjust and the fatigue should start simmering down soon. With any drug like this, it's a good idea to make sure that you eat regularly and stick to a balanced diet, high in fruit and vegetables. I find that making the rest of me as healthy as possible can help reduce the side effects a little bit. You can also speak to your doctor about it - maybe you need to start at a lower dose and increase it gradually, giving your body a chance to acclimatize over time.
Good luck with it!
- Report Abuse
- Was this helpful? Yes
Oh the fatigue. I deal with it too on a weekly basis. I take 25mg a week, as maintenance until I can get on a biologic. Here is the tricky thing that I like to explain to people about methotrexate. Methotrexate can cause severe fatigue which in return can cause sever depression which also cause fatigue. Now if you have recognized that it is purely fatigue from the methotrexate have no fear. Slowly but surely the methotrexate will build up in your body and your side effects will become less severe. Now I cannot promise you that the fatigue will go away. It does for some, but I have been on it for over three years and experience fatigue. Now I completely understand the anxiety of not being able to get up and do what needs to be done. Here is something that might help, even out your days. Here is what I do. I make a list of things that need to be done throughout the week. And instead of overduing it before I take my methotrexate (which makes the fatigue even more severe), even the chores out throughout the week. Say there are 5 important chores that need to be done throughout the weekdays. Instead of doing two or three of them the days before you take you methotrexate (as we tend to do because we know the fatigue will knock us out) do one chore a day, even on the day you take your methotrexate. If you can't accomplish it, then put it on the list for either the weekend or the next week. You will find that it you don't overdue it before and after you take the methotrexate the fatigue won't be near as bad. I hope this helps. Good luck and best wishes!
- Report Abuse
- Was this helpful? Yes
Hello, Methotrexate is an immune supressant drug and supresses the immune system. Yeah it does make one tired. We are already immune supressed just by the rheumatoid. When y add Methot. or Arava they make system even more supressed. (depressed ?)
Methot. works well for some and not for others. I am off it and feel much better.It was not working for me - does not work for everyone. However some do really well on it.
After 6 months or so ask yourself if it is really working. Ask your Rheumy if you can go off it to see if there is any difference. Go back on if there is.
Take calcium (citrate), check your Vitamin D levels, iron levels, thyroid too as this can effect RA.
- Report Abuse
- Was this helpful? Yes
I have been on it for about 5 years now and it never goes away and I always ache. It never goes away unless I have an infection and I"m off my meds.
- Report Abuse
- Was this helpful? Yes


















