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Hello everyone...I was diagnosed with RA in Aug. I have been on Methotrexate pills then changed to injections ..still i can not take it...my dr wants me to try arava...has anyone taken this..if so can they tell me anything helpful about the drug...i am also on 5mg of pred and relafen...im scared of this new drug just like i was when i started Mth..I guess we never get use to them. Thanks for any help.

                  ~Cindy

Welcome Cindy. Glad you're here.

I've taken MTX for more than 4 years now and handle it well....sorry to hear that wasn't the case for you.

Again; Welcome.

Cindy, my mother takes Arava and does really well on it.  She has taken it for about 4 years now, I think.  She also takes it in combination with MTX. 

They have a generic version of Arava now, which is good news if money is an issue for you.  I may try Arava if the MTX doesn't work alone. 

I wish you luck.  Everything is different for everyone.
Hi I take arava with with enbrel, I do very well with this med.  I did take mtx but as the dose got higher my body didn't take well to it.  Welcome and hope to see you on the boards again.  meme   Welcome Cindy, we're glad that you found us.

   MarisaHi Cindy, I'm still having trouble with mtx but have adjusted some.  I don't know about the arava. Is it a biologic? The med I tolerate the best is prednisone. Enbrel is also easy although I still get a site reaction.  I think with most of these drugs, it's a matter of adjustment and fine tuning.Welcome Cindy-sorry the MTX didnt work for you..good luck on the arava.Welcome Cindy!! Hopefully this site will be as helpful to you as it has been to me.
My understanding of prednisone is that you are to wean, but they do give short courses of it and people take it for a period of time and then just drop it completely.  What I read, those are in 3 months and less. 

I would listen to your RD.  I mean, until you get a bad result, keep trying to work with your doctor. 

Hi Chuckan

I was on pred for a year and weaned off of it. 

Susan

[QUOTE=arizonara]Hi Chuckan -- welcome to the forum.

My understanding of prednisone is that you are to wean, but they do give short courses of it and people take it for a period of time and then just drop it completely.  What I read, those are in 3 months and less. 

I would listen to your RD.  I mean, until you get a bad result, keep trying to work with your doctor. 


[/QUOTE] Thanks arizonara, I think you are right, like I said she has been very good for me.Hi Chuck and welcome. I too am allergic to all nsaids as well as most antibiotics and a host of other things.  I think people with RA are more susceptible to allergies.  I'm on the same stuff you are: prednisone(now weaned down to 4mg per day), plaquanil, methetrexate, and enbrel. Work with your doctor.  It's a matter of fine tuning the meds.  I completely avoid all nsaids and pain killers except tylenol and I'm doing pretty well considering I have severe RA.

Welcome Chuck....definately listen to your doctor. It's important to form a good, trusting relationship with your RD now. It's a relationship that will be on going. (Mine out lasted my first marriage

Seriously; She's right about the predisone....it's a wonder med but the less time you spend on it now; the better off you'll be in the long run.

I'm not allergic to NSAIDS and have taken plenty but control my RA pretty well with DMARDS and Biologics. This is the preferrable method in the long run anyway. NSAIDS like predisone are not an actual treatment that will slow the disease in the long run. DMARDS will slow the progression and prevent long term joint damage if prescribed early and used continuously. I've used them for more than 12 years now and have very little visable damage. Granted on x-rays and MRI's they show damage....but it's very small considering the number of years I've been at this.

It doesn't always work for everyone....but it's an ultimate goal for us in my opinion.

We're glad you're here.

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