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...
So, I am researching which I want to add to my treatment:
Arava 10 mg daily or Plaquenil 100mg twice daily.
I already take MTX 20 mg weekly via injection and have just stopped SSZ.
I am hesitant about Plaquenil due to the risk for vision changes and my career relies on vision, but I know that it is dose dependent and the dose I would be starting is conservative.
Arava is also metabolized by the liver and carries risk for cytopenia, etc.
So, my question is, what are your experiences with either?
Thanks in advance
Arava 10 mg daily or Plaquenil 100mg twice daily.
I already take MTX 20 mg weekly via injection and have just stopped SSZ.
I am hesitant about Plaquenil due to the risk for vision changes and my career relies on vision, but I know that it is dose dependent and the dose I would be starting is conservative.
Arava is also metabolized by the liver and carries risk for cytopenia, etc.
So, my question is, what are your experiences with either?
Thanks in advance
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My 6mo twin DD's are EBF and just started rice cereal on the first. Everything has been going fine except this morning one of them had a diaper rash (lots of redness around her anus). I read this as one of the signs of an allergy. BUT I did just buy a different brand diaper yesterday (which they have used randomly before w/no issues). Do you think its the cereal or the diaper? Im ready to start...
I've taken both in this "journey" to find the magic meds "cocktail". Plaquenil sent me spiralling into depression so had to stop. Re retina problems, my opthamologist said he had not seen anyone with problems but would suggest you see Eye Specialist every six months for a check up.
Arava was good for a few months but then my BP went sky-high (210/120) and my legs swelled.and was tested for DVT but OK.. So that was stopped, too. MTX (25mg) is the one RA med or biologic that hasn't caused problems for me.
A friend of mine who has Lupus swears by Plaquenil and that's all she takes - is virtually pain free.
Good luck. I hope whatever you decide on will work for you.
Hugs
I have a friend who was just dx'd with MCTD and is on Plaquenil. She noticed a difference in a few weeks.
I know others have had great success with SSZ, but it did nothing for me. I think. We are doing a trial off of it to see.
My new rheumy did say I needed a baseline with ophthalmology prior to starting, which I have been too before at the Cole Eye Institute. So, I will go to them if I do try it.
I am betwixt. My Sister in law's mom has lupus and a for of inflammatory arthritis and is on Plaquenil.
I am gonna look at my insurance's info site too.
I am great at helping my clients with these decisions, but find myself second guessing myself or overthinking every thing.