Types of coffee that I’ve gotten into because of methotrexate

Some of the side effects that I have experienced due to taking methotrexate are fatigue and brain fog. As a full-time student, this negatively affects my productivity and studying habits, so I have taken to drinking coffee to offset my tiredness.

Before methotrexate I was already drinking coffee, but I became more of a caffeine connoisseur lately. Combined with my previous experience working as a barista, I’d like to share some of my favorite coffees / other types of caffeinated drinks that I enjoy!

*As a precursor, I do prefer strong brews. I take my coffee without sugar but I will sometimes add milk.

Favorite Coffe Drink = Nitro Cold Brew & Cold Brew

I love cold brew because not only is it less acidic than regular coffee, it is still around 2 times as concentrated! Acid from coffee is bad for teeth enamel and sometimes causes irritable bowel syndrome, so it is good to avoid high acidity coffees. Cold brew fits my needs because the higher caffeine content better helps my fatigue, but for others who don’t suffer from medication side effects, just make sure you don’t drink it late in the afternoon!

Nitro Cold Brew is a division of cold brew where nitrogen is infused into the coffee, giving it a smoother and creamier taste. It creates a foam at the top, similar to that of draft beer. Additionally, Nitro Cold Brew contains even less acid, which is only a greater plus! 

To my knowledge, it is pretty difficult to make your own nitro cold brew at home. I purchase mine from Costco, but you can also find stock at Trader Joe’s Safeway, Walmart, and similar grocery stores. Products I like are Blue Bottle’s Bright Cold Brew (sold in cans of 6-packs) and Lucky Jack’s Triple Jack Nitro Cold Brew (sold in glass bottles of 6).  Pictured below:

This is not a sponsored post; I am only sharing my own experiences with these products. 

Favorite Coffee-making Method = Pour-Over Coffee

The most common coffee appliance in American homes is the electric drip coffee machine. Despite owning one, my favorite way to prepare coffee is still to use the pour-over method. With the pour-over method, it is easier to clean up because there are no parts you have to take apart to wash, and you can control the strength of your brew. Additionally, when compared to the french-press method, the pour-over provides a smoother finish with no dredges or gritty taste. However, pour-over coffee does take more time to prepare, and so sometimes in the morning when I wake up late, I do drink instant coffee.

Dalgona Coffee Trend

Lately there’s been a popular way to prepare coffee going around on social media, termed “Dalgona Coffee”. It’s when you whip equal parts of instant coffee granules, sugar, and hot water together until it foams up, and then add it on top of milk. It can be taken hot or cold.

I’ve tried this trend a few times before, but because I prefer my coffee without sugar, I’m not a huge fan. However, my sisters and friends all think it’s pretty good, so if you have time to spare, give it a try! The whipping part usually takes a good 5 – 10 minutes.

That’s all I have for this post. Do you guys also experience tiredness from methotrexate? If so, any suggestions for how to deal with it? I’m looking forward to the discussion in the comments below!