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...
Hi everyone
I am currently on sulfasalazine and plaquenil but despite been on them since August 2010 and increasing the dose of sulfalazine in Nov 2010 l am still experiencing pain and stiffness.
I am not sure if this is related to the job l do which is nursing or that my meds are not working.
When l went to see the Ra nurse in Nov 2010 he suggested that l should consider starting Leflunomide (Arava) but to see how l went on the increased dose of Sulfasalazine in the meantime until l saw my Rheumy Dr on Jan 24th.
I asked the Ra nurse if he had Ra which med he would take he said he would take a biologic !!l
So l dont know what to do and l see the Rheumy Dr tommorrow.
Has anyone of you wise folk on DS took Arava and if so was there many side effects and did it help with your Ra?
Or should i ask to start on a Biologic instead of trying another DMARD.
(i have also tried methotrexate but was unable to tolerate it and had nasty side effects!)
Would be grateful for advice
Izzy x
I am currently on sulfasalazine and plaquenil but despite been on them since August 2010 and increasing the dose of sulfalazine in Nov 2010 l am still experiencing pain and stiffness.
I am not sure if this is related to the job l do which is nursing or that my meds are not working.
When l went to see the Ra nurse in Nov 2010 he suggested that l should consider starting Leflunomide (Arava) but to see how l went on the increased dose of Sulfasalazine in the meantime until l saw my Rheumy Dr on Jan 24th.
I asked the Ra nurse if he had Ra which med he would take he said he would take a biologic !!l
So l dont know what to do and l see the Rheumy Dr tommorrow.
Has anyone of you wise folk on DS took Arava and if so was there many side effects and did it help with your Ra?
Or should i ask to start on a Biologic instead of trying another DMARD.
(i have also tried methotrexate but was unable to tolerate it and had nasty side effects!)
Would be grateful for advice
Izzy x
I am on MTX and Arava, having tried both Plaquenil and Sulfasalazine along the way. I had to stop both of those because of a severe reaction and side effects. I had virtually no side effects with Arava but it hasn't done a great deal for my RA either. My Rheumy is going to start me on Simponi, a biologic at my next visit in March. However, many people have good success with Arava. I would be thinking of asking about a biologic when you see your Rheumy, though. They seem to be the most effective for most people.
Good luck
Hugs
If you are feeling like your pain is unbearable and it is putting limitations in your life I would try any and all medicines until you find your comfort zone.
I'm on my 3rd day of Arava & new to RA & this site! No side effects so far...on high cortisone & going down now so don't really know yet how it works....so, so good....I asked my Rheu. Dr. for the one with the least amount of side effects & he chose Arava. Good Luck to U.....T
sue
I have been on Arava for many years.. no side effects. I tried Mtx but didnt seem to do much. I injected it to bybass the stomach upset. My R.A. doc wants me to go back on it instead of the ARAVA. because he was just at a conference with the top RA. doc in Canada and said Mtx is considered the "Gold Standard" and even though you don't feel it working it still reduces joint damage by 50%... I am not sure I will go back. I just started another Biologic too .. Orencia. Most Biologics go hand in hand with DMARD... I also take Prednisone.
Good luck
gotolady