Arava versus methotrexate
Common Questions and Answers about Arava versus methotrexate
arava
Hello, I am a 51 year old Caucasian female with rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia. How long after stopping methotrexate (MTX), should I continue folinic acid (Leukovorin)? I was on methotrexate for ~1 1/2 years (last 6 month at 20 mg/ week). I had hair fall, then finally frank alopecia and discontinued the MTX one month ago. During the last month of treatment, I asked that my folic acid be changed to folinic acid (Leukovorin).
I was diagnosed with RA last June and was put on methotrexate. Recently, the RA flared up and my doctor added Enbrel. I have severe headches and feel like my heart is beating so fast that i get dizzy. The doctor thinks that this is because I am on yet another medication and my body has to adjust. Is anyone familiar with this drug? Has anyone gone as far as to have a second opinion for their RA? I just find it scary to give you one drug to have to counteract side effects with another.
Examples would include Methotrexate, Imuran, Arava and Plaquenil. Another approach you may want to try is to have the doctor add a medication to protect her stomach and keep her on the Lefora since it is controlling her arthritis.
I can't seem to get a concrete answer on which is worse. Low dose (5mg or Lower) versus low dose methotrexate (.5 ml or lower)..
I was also diagnosed with RA in 2002. Just recently my Dr put me on methotrexate injections and arava after which my symtoms got worse.I went back to the RA DR and now she thinks I have Polymyalgia Rheumatica.Right now I'm in the processs of finding a second opinion. They say the symtoms of Polymyalgia can come on rapidly like the symtoms you discribe.
i first went to doctors march 2007 with the soles of my feet hurting for about a month, i was referred to hospital where they told me i had rheumtoid arthritis and started on methotrexate in nov 2007 , plus diclofenic, paracetamol, i didnt get to see the consultant i was under for 6 months, i never feel well i wake up and just hold it together long enough for my family to go to work then i try to exercise use hot and cold water i am also on plaquenil now as well i feel i am getting worse and eve
I recently started taking Arava for my rheumatoid arthritis. My dr. added this to the Methotrexate and Prednisone I am already taking because I really wasn't getting much relief. Now I am getting a read rash behind my knees, ankles and calfs. has this happened to anyone else? Also, occasional bruises to my stomach area.
I am trying to get her to have her lithium levels checked but she thinks she is fine (part of the disease), she is not sleeping well and not resting, physically pushing herself which makes swelling and pain from RA worse (had to stop Enbrel, Arava and Methotrexate to begin chemo). Still using patch and morphine tabs for pain, ambien for sleep and there are more meds.
Hi Jen
I am 23 and was DX with PA beginning last year. Probably had it since 17 cause that is when my back pain first started. I am currently on Arava. Methotrexate didn't work, was on it for a year. Worked fine in small joints like my fingers but did nothing about my back. I don't think the Arava is working either. Doctor wants to start Humira end of the year.
My diet doesn't make the pain better, certain things does make it worst though like alcohol.
I have an Auto Immune Disorder of the connective tissue as labeled by my Rheumatologist. I take Plaquenil 200mg, and Arava 20mg daily. I have been on the Plaquenil for over a year and the Arava for 5-6 months. I am still having flares and experiencing pain on a daily basis. I'm a 28 year old male. My tested positive for ANA but the doctor hasn't labeled me with Lupus. I see my Rheumatologist on the 18th of December and I'm looking for the next step in my treatment.
i take the leflunomide (arava) but also take pills for the reflux, which does help. I take renitidine i believe it is called. I found it worked pretty good for the swelling myself. I am also on the Embrel, but still do not have R.A under control. I just wanted to say that the arava was the best drug i have taken up until i was put on the embrel. I live in B.
I started on plaquenil and then went to methotrexate. After awhile, I stopped the methotrexate and discovered the plaquenil was managing my symptoms fine (unless I do not get regular sleep, get stressed out and/or it rains - then I go into flare.) Prednisone was not something they used for me, but I did have several steroid injections to deal with my most troublesome spots.
How is your daughter doing now? When is her next shot?
Prior to that she was on Arava for five months and it almost killed her. She lost 60 lbs, had heart issues, urinary tract infections, had no appetite and was incredibly weak. Her RA doctor said it was not the Arava. It was. I took her to the Lahey Cllinic and they confirmed it. I had taken her off the medication before going to the Lahey Clinic but it was a binding med. so it stayed in her system for months afterwards.
I was given my first dose of Lyrica last night and I slept brilliantly for once, today I've been very sleepy and when I took a nap I couldn't stand up when I awoke because my hip just flared up so badly I couldn't even walk. Luckily I am in hospital, so they gave me morphine straight away and its feeling much better. I really don't know very much about Lyrica and I'd like to hear what some people have experienced with it.
Hi, I was recently diagnosed with psoriactic arthritis and the doctor put me on Arava. I've been on it for 4 weeks with no relief. In fact, the pain has increased in all of my joints and my toes have decided to join in on the fun as well. My question is has anyone had any experience with this drug in the amount of time it takes to start working? Is it usually immediate or does it take time to "build up" in your system before it begins to work?
I know I have all the symptoms and do get worse when I am off of my Arava but I also wonder if I could have Lupus because I have a lot of the symptoms of it and my sister has it. My mother has fibro so I wonder if maybe that is what I have instead as well. Things are continuing to get get worse and my dr is wanting to start injection therapy for my symptoms. I just want to be sure I have ra before I begin these injections they really scare me!
Chronic change as described above including numerous subcentimeter lymph nodes in the anterior mediastinum and aortapulmonary window as described. No significant lymphadenopathy is identified, but there are no previous exams for comparion. Non consolidating interstitial infiltrate in the mid portion of the left lower lobe posteriorly, acute versus chronic and follow-up of this area is recommended. There is no previous exam for comparision.
My pain hasnt been relieved totally with this med and the rheumatologist wants me to start on Arava in combination. Im scared of the hep c coming back with both of these meds. Opinions needed.
My father has severe rheumatiod arthritis. He has been on a combination of Arava 20 mg ( Hydroxychloroquine) and Plaquenil (Leflunomide) . He has been going severly downhill since January and has lost 40 pounds, has constant mucous drainage that he chokes on especially after meals, and has severe shortness of breath. Can these symptoms be a result of the medications he is taking? Is it safe for him to take two synthetic DMARDS at the same time?
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