Questions about Arava | Arthritis Information
I may start it tomorrow, or wait til Monday. Will be on 20 mg a day, with plaquenil (which I'm not really on now).
Do I still need to take Folic Acid? I guess it can't hurt.
(FYI, just got J/A/S/O/N Bioten shampoo & conditioner from GNC and love them)
Alcohol. I guess I'll wait a month on that to see how things go. I used to drink on Wednesday where I'd take MTX on Sunday. But since this is an every day thing...maybe 2 drinks a week?
I realize I may get serious GI upset. Anyone else had any issues? Best time of day to take it, etc.? I guess I'll get those instructions when I get it filled, just looking for insight.
Oh, also, how soon is it supposed to work? I don't go back to RD for 2 months so we're giving it at least that long.
Thanks! So excited about no more shots for a while! Even though they didn't hurt it was such a pain to get everything prepared, and I'm still not sure what to do with the vials of MTX I have with like .1 in each of them!
Hi Katie, I took Arava on and off dor 3 years, found it worked the best for me out of all the Dmards, I did have terrible gastro from it though and it made life very hard. I had to keep having breaks from it due to side effects, but maybe you will tolerate it better, best of luck, Janie.
I have been taking Arava for about 10 years now and it does just fine.
I also take Enbrel injections once a week. I have not had any side effects
from either.
There is not a 'no drink' issue with Arava like the Mtx.
Good luck to you.
I've been on Arava for about 7 months now. I had some nausea and
appetite loss at first (lost 5 lbs -- not crying over that) but it
seems to have settled down now. I'm still on MTX, so still take folic
acid. Did have some increased hair loss, but seems to have finally
stoped. I haven't stopped drinking wine a few times a week as my liver
tests are still excellent! In fact, enjoying a glass of red right now!
Have to say, the addition of Arava has helped calm my symptoms down somewhat.
Hope it works for you!
- Joy
I'm like Joy, having a glass of red wine right now. I had mild nausea the first week or two on Arava, no problems since. I did have a bit of hair loss and nose sores but I think that is because I am still on MTX (and Humira). Basically had nose sores continuously until recently. Arava has helped so much I would rather have nose sores than stop it. Until I had an infection the other week, it was the closest I have come to remission since diagnosed 5 years ago.
Thanks everyone! I am going to have faith that this one will work for me, and see where we go...
Keep us posted as to how it is working for you. I wish you well.
Arava for me gave me bad fatigue and my hair fell out by the handfuls. It also made my teeth feel "soft".
I would keep taking the folic acid.
Good Luck! I hope it helps you and keeps the inflammation in your jaw at bay.
Arava gave me major nausea and stomach upset. I think I took it for about 6 months, but the nausea never went away. When I switched to injectable methotrexate, the problems subsided.
I have been taking Arava for about 7 years now and it has really helped me. Unless you are taking methotrexate you do not need to take folic acid, I have stopped taking it. Folic acid is good at preventing your hair from falling out but I have never had this problem while on Arava. I take it in combination with Plaquenil and I am doing ok. Of course I have my bad days but that is how RA is!
I've been taking Arava for about 10 months. Had some nausea to start with (but then mtx and plaquenil all had the same side effect until I switched to mtx injections). No nausea now. One thing to be aware of is that Arava increases your photosensitivity. I won't be forgetting again in a hurry - ended up with blisters all over my hands and arms after attending an outdoors graduation ceremony! Best of luck and may it bring relief for you. Cheers.
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