Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

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izzymimi 04/13/2011

Hi everyone
Started Avara 10mg daily yesterday to add to my cocktail of RA meds!
Woke up this morning feeling shocking.
Terrible nausea and headache and feel so so tired.
Feel like l did on the mtx and had to come off it as couldnt tolerate it.
I seem to be super sensitive to meds or is cause the meds are so toxic!
Anyway would be so grateful for feedback from anyone who has taken arava
Does the side effects settle down in time ?
and how well did Arava work for you?
Thankyou
Izzymimi x

Christine26 04/13/2011

Hi izzymimi, I was on Arava for about 2 years and did well on it. I was put on Cimzia and the Rheumatologist put me on MTX because he said that was a better combo. I don't like MTX, I feel it is causing me to become hoarse. I asked to go back on Arava, because it really seemed to work well for me. I noticed headaches since I have been off the Arava.

deleted_user 04/13/2011

Hi Izzymimi,

I have been on Arava for 5 years now. I am on 20mg 5 days per week. It works better than MTX. Mtx does not work for me as I feel very very sick on the day I took it ( MTX is once a week ).

I am sorely on Arava and Prenisolone. Wish I could stop the Prenisolone ( on it for 10 years now ) but everytime I cut down the dosage, my RA flare up again.

I could not take Arcoxia ( anti- inflamatory ) as my legs get bloated up. It's like having edema.

When I fist started Arava, I have hair loss. It was quite bad so my Rheumatogist reduce the dosage.

My gf has liver inflammation when on Arava . Her doctor switch her back to Plaqunil.

Anyway different people have different side effects. I still have knee flare . My body is rebelling my medicines now.

Here's wishing you all the best. It's a trial and error scenario. Most importantly, monitor yourself when on new medication.

Take care ....

izzymimi 04/13/2011

Thanks Christine and marytay for your feedback
I am hoping the side effects settle down soon.

deleted_user 04/13/2011

I have been taking Arava for 3 months and do have occasional nausea. I am only on 10 mg but feel like I have improved alot. I am not as stiff and have better range of motion too. Good luck! :)

Angelpuss 04/13/2011

Hi izzymimi,
Arava woks well for many people but I had a really severe reaction and the Rheumy stopped it straight away. I didn't have nausea but my blood pressure (which has always been normal) shot up to dangerous levels, then my legs swelled up. My PCP thought it may have been a clot but a venous doppler ruled that out. It's taken weeks for my legs to settle down after stopping Arava but they are finally back to normal. Strangely enough, the only RA med that I have had no problem with is MTX (oral which I have been on for a year..
I hope the side effects settle down for you and Arava works.

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