Hi! I'm new to this board. I've lost a lot of hair the past 6 weeks on Arava. I am only 42 and not ready to give up my best feature! Has anyone overcome this side effect?
Thanks,
Jodi Girl
When I 1st started arava I had hair loss for about 6 months. Then the hair loss stopped. At the 3 year mark it is almost back to its full thickness. I'm on a light dose 10mg.That is so good to hear! I tried 10mg for 10 days but my wrist swelled, so I returned to 20 mg. How bad was your hair loss before it got better? Are you taking anything else? Have you been on 10mg. the entire time? Is your Ra under control? I still have pain and swelling in my hands, feet, knees and now wrist.
Jodi Girl
Jodi
I'm on Remicade and an nsaid(been searching for a new one since bextra allergy) and effexor-xl as well as arava. My hair was very very thick and I got down to a normal amount before the situation turned around. Hair is back to being pretty thick, again
RA is usually under ok control - but I've been hurting last 2 months -weather related I hope.
We are all different. Hope hair loss stops soon for you. Most important is to stop pain and destruction of joints.
my hair fell out also but has grown back in and curley just be careful of your liver enzymes, i ended up in the hospital in jan. bec. they were so high i was only on the arava 4 weeks and this happened so just watch for any nausea that was a big sign that they were elevated good luckDebbie,
Sorry to hear about your elevated liver enzymes. I worry about that too. I just had my blood work done and I hope it will be okay. What are they doing for you now that you can't use Arava?
Jodi
i just started my 2nd dose of mtx. 7.5 mg with 50 of prednesone i cant take humira,embrel or remecade i was allergic to them all, the dr. said he will watch my enz. on the mtx. also i have to go for blood work every 4 weeks, i feel no difference yet just tired. good luck jodi lot of people hve good results with the arava i was hoping i would be one of themMarion,
Have you considered mobic? It works well for me although I think it's what is causing me to have dry mouth.
Jodi
Jodi I have tried mobic - very expensive on my health plan but not very effective for me. I was really achy. It is just a matter of trial an error. My ears tend to ring on most nsaid - I'm looking for one that works and doesn't make my ears ring. I usually do not have stomach trouble, but I am more sensitive than I used to be.