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Diagnosed With Psoriatic Arthritis And Fibromyalgia. Taking Methotrexate. Noticed Increase In Appetite. Side Effects?
Question: Hi,
I have just been diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis and also have Fibromyalgia. I started Methotrexate a month ago and have noticed my appetite has increased so much and have started putting on weight. Can finish eating a meal and 10 minutes later be hungry again. I'm already overweight and at the moment can't afford to put anymore weight on due to not being able to exercise due to pain and major fatigue problems. Have done a lot of reading on Methotrexate and it only mentions that one of the side effects can be a decreased appetite while taking it. I generally don't get any side effects from medications so extremely lucky considering the amount of medications I'm on and other's I've taken in the past. I don't see my Rheumatologist for another 2 months and don't see my GP til next Friday as he is currently away to ask him about it. I did have an increased appetite while I was on Prednisolone so wondering if I'm having the same problem with the MTX??
I have just been diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis and also have Fibromyalgia. I started Methotrexate a month ago and have noticed my appetite has increased so much and have started putting on weight. Can finish eating a meal and 10 minutes later be hungry again. I'm already overweight and at the moment can't afford to put anymore weight on due to not being able to exercise due to pain and major fatigue problems. Have done a lot of reading on Methotrexate and it only mentions that one of the side effects can be a decreased appetite while taking it. I generally don't get any side effects from medications so extremely lucky considering the amount of medications I'm on and other's I've taken in the past. I don't see my Rheumatologist for another 2 months and don't see my GP til next Friday as he is currently away to ask him about it. I did have an increased appetite while I was on Prednisolone so wondering if I'm having the same problem with the MTX??
Hi, thanks for writing to XXXXXXX At the outset, I would like to tell you that neither Methotrexate nor prednisolone causes increased appetite. On the contrary, both the drugs cause "Anorexia" (loss of appetite) along with symptoms of dyspepsia. So I think there is no rationale to blame the drugs for your increased appetite.
Infact, I can attribute your weight gain to Prednisolone therapy because one of the metabolic side effects of predisonlone therapy is " Hypernatremia" which causes retention of sodium in the body leading to fluid retention and thereby increase in weight.
Both Methotrexate and Prednisolone causes numerous adverse reactions in the body over prolonged treatment and you need to be constantly monitored by hematological parameters. Dosage of prednisolone more than 10mg per day have been associated with increased incidence of adverse reactions. And inorder to counteract the G.I.side effects of Methotrexate, 1-5mg of Folate supplementation is to be taken orally along with methotrexate.
Hope I have clarified your issues. Have a great day
Infact, I can attribute your weight gain to Prednisolone therapy because one of the metabolic side effects of predisonlone therapy is " Hypernatremia" which causes retention of sodium in the body leading to fluid retention and thereby increase in weight.
Both Methotrexate and Prednisolone causes numerous adverse reactions in the body over prolonged treatment and you need to be constantly monitored by hematological parameters. Dosage of prednisolone more than 10mg per day have been associated with increased incidence of adverse reactions. And inorder to counteract the G.I.side effects of Methotrexate, 1-5mg of Folate supplementation is to be taken orally along with methotrexate.
Hope I have clarified your issues. Have a great day
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Answered by
Dr. K. Naga Ravi Prasad
Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement
Practicing since :1996
Answered : 2148 Questions
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