I started 20mg daily of Arava yesterday morning, and both yesterday and today, I can't stay awake. I'm used to the fatigue of FMS and RA, plus the drowsiness from all my meds, but this is like "can't open my eyes" drowsiness. Thanks, Honey. I was kind of surprised when I got the prescription and realized it wasn't the lower dosage, but I didn't know about the dosages while I was in with my doctor. I'm going to see how it goes this week, and then decide what to do. And a good manicure is relaxing...so I could believe you'd fall asleep!
Anyone have this experience with Arava? I'm worried about tomorrow, which is a work day, and how I'm going to get up at 6:00 am and keep it together all day. Typically on the weekends I sleep late, like til 9:30, but today I couldn't get up until 11:00, and went back to sleep at 1:30, and just got up again at 3:30. Still tired. i take arava and when i first started it i had the same problem, but i thought it was the methotrexate still in my system. i am a lot better now but i find if i dont get out of bed when the alarm goes off i will fall back to sleep. my poor son has been late for school so many days lately. ally, how long did it last? The mtx didn't make me sleepy when I was taking it, and I waited the week until my dose was up to start on the Arava. Hi! While I was on Arava which was 2 years, the drug never made me sleepy. I am on 15 mg. of MTX to. I guess Arava affects some people different ways..if i stayed in bed i could sleep on and off all day. but once i get up and moving its not so bad. but as soon as i stop and sit in my arm chair i doze off again. i feel like i am 90 not 41. but obviously our bodies need more rest when we have pa or ra or any other illness.Well, miraculously I was able to wake up this morning relatively on-time, and was only 15 minutes late to work. So far I'm feeling pretty good (as in awake, still got all my pains). Hope I can stay alert all day.Call your doctor. My dr. started me out in November on 1/2 the dose of Arava - 10mg daily. He said he'd rather start slowly with me and see how I tolerate it and to see if I get relief from that low dose. I feel good. He's kept it at that low dose and said there's no reason to up it to 20mg unless I start feeling a ton of pain. I have "good days" and "bad days" as we all do but I think maybe starting out on a lower dose (with the guidance of your dr) may be an option for you. I do try to not overdo it too much, although yesterday I was able eto take 3 walks w/hubby and kids throughout the day and today I'm feeling fine. I will take it easy today though just to make sure. I hope that helps.
PS - the fatigue I have is not really any way as bad as it was before the RA meds! Before diagnosis I actually fell asleep during a manicure.
Copyright ArthritisInsight.com