I've been taking Arava for a year now with no side affects yet. I was told that arava is a slow acting drug and to give it at least 3 months to see if it works. It did help me a little, but i had to add simponi and plaquenil to the mix in order to get most of my mobility back.

Thanks for the info. My RA doc did not tell me what to expect. I may have to check out another dr in my area. Keep well.... Feel well

Hi Bobbi,

I started coughing a little at night after taking Methx but never linked the two together till it was too late. I had acid reflux which ended up irritation my sinus passages and finally they began to bleed. I'm really having a hard time getting this all cleared up. I would bring it up at your next visit.
Oh also, if I am understanding you correctly your current Rhem did not spend enough time with you to explained all the side effects. I am assuming also that you are on a HMO or the next worst thing a PPO. Unfortunatly the insurance companies have your Dr. by the balls....sorry for the French. He is not allowed to spend more than 15 minutes with you at a time. So the way I work this out with all the various Drs I have to see is I set an appointment in advance for every month, I write my questions down and then I ask them 1 by 1. Ifi run out if time I save the least important ones for the next appointment. This usually works out well.
But the best option by far is if you can find a primary care Dr. that does concierge or whole person wellness. What this is is the Dr. Charges a retainer fee each year. The least expensive is about $1,500. but the average is about $4,000. per year. Often this can be paid in installments. It is well worth it since the Dr. now has anywhere from 300 to 600 patients instead of 2,500 to 3,000 patients. You more than likely will get his direct cell number, can call 24/7, get same day appointments, he will advocate for you with the rhem or any other specialists, refer you to top notch specialists, he will remind you of various tests and things you need to get....basically it's better than having you Dr. as a husband. And there are many more perks depending on the Dr. you call on.

Lorilou

Arava can lead to lung complications or breathing issues - I cannot remember where I read this - I'm on Arava and was having breathing issues this past winter (turns out not related to my Arava). I'd certainly contact your PCP to get xrays or have them at least listen to hear what is going on.

on drugs.com: http://www.drugs.com/mtm/arava.html

it lists
Stop using leflunomide and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;
chest pain;
cough, trouble breathing (you may also have a fever);

Thanks for the input. Coughing is beginning to lessen up I think... No fever or chills or mouth spots.... I must have been the Arava... hope the chest cough continues to get better. I made appt with new Rhmy... but, she can't see me for 2 weeks.
Another Rhmy recommended couldn't see me for almost a month. Gee, there must be a lot of us out there banging on their doors. lol