MTX or Arava | Arthritis Information

Hi,

I've been on MTX (20mg) for nearly 12mths and it's really helped. They combined with Sulfasalizine which didn't help. Then shifted to Plaquenil which was fantastic for the pain and energy, however couldn't handle the side effects. Tried half dose and quarter dose but couldn't deal with it. First doc put me on 3mg pred with the MTX and it's ok. Second opinion doc, who started me down the Plaquenil path said today he wants me to start Arava as well. First guy seems to be very cautious or maybe sticks to older drugs. This new guy is more aggresive or maybe willing to try new more modern drugs. His suggestion is if the Arava works to stop the Pred and reduce the MTX. He thinks the Arava is the better of the others long term.

I'm so lost now. The MTX and Pred is sort of working and I'm functioning and working. My inflamation markers are pretty good, but have always been ok. Mine is more of a clinical diaognosis than confirmed by blood tests.

Is Arava the better of the two evils? What about long, long term? At least MTX has been around for a lot longer than Arava.

Please help I'm pretty lost at the moment.

Seeya

Ray

I don't know about stopping the MTX, but it is always best to avoid being on prednisone long term, if possible. I have just started Arava because MTX didn't work for me. I think you can take both at once. My understanding is that MTX was cancer drug that they found out can work for RA, whereas Arava was "designed & built" for RA. So far I haven't had any side effects except maybe a little dizziness.

Also, see Lynn's thread about combining DMARDs!

You definitely want to get off pred first. That should be your number one goal. It has more side effects that are more common then any other medication, and they are very serious side effects. It is strange how much better we feel but don't let it fool you.

I am on MTX and Arava and it is the best I've felt in a long time. The combo is very good for me.

Your new aggressive doctor is showing you goals for the future, great. But its not like they will happen tomorrow. To get off the pred, you will need 1mg pills and a pill cutter so ask for the 1mg preds when you see him next.Hi Austravel..if you're feeling better with just the mtx (after stopping the pred) why not just stick with that? Maybe ask why your doctor wants to add the arava when you feel good with the mtx....see what he/she has to say about it. Not sure why he would think the arava is better long term than mtx. Ask and see what he says...I'm rather curious about that. I've been taking mtx for almost 17 years now without a problem.

I guess for me, I'd rather add something when I feel something is no longer working on it's own.

Good luck!

I was on MTX and my dr. wanted to add Arava to the mix. I was only on it a couple of weeks because it made my liver function go wacko. I agree that getting off the pred should be #1 priority. Good luck finding an option that works for you.

Phats

Thanks for the replies.

I thought the 3mgs of pred I'm on was almost a nothing dose and would give minimal problems. Are you all saying that even small doses like this should be avoided at all costs?

I'm on 2mg of pred and the docs say that is nothing to worry about.
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