Methotrexate and Arava side effects

[Guest guest]

Barb,

When I first read the brochure on methotrexate, it did seem scary. But when

my rheumy recently added Arava and I read that brochure, it was even scarier

because there have been deaths resulting from it.

I have been taking mtx for about a year now. I started on 3 pills a week,

along with a low dose of prednisone to help with the pain until the mtx had

time to take effect. The dose was gradually increased to 6 pills a week but

was still not doing enough, and that's why he added the Arava. I didn't have

any bad side effects from the mtx; sometimes it's hard to tell what comes

from the disease and what comes from the medication. My liver has been fine

on the mtx.

But last month, my white blood cell count had dropped below normal. It was

3.8 (Normal 4.0-10.5). This month it had dropped to 3.5, and my platelet

count had dropped from 211 to 145 (Normal 150-400). So now I am supposed to

cut back to 4 pills a week and continue with the Arava.

I finally got off the prednisone, although it was wonderful for my RA. I was

concerned about its effects on the bones and the eyes. I have cataracts and

Fuchs' corneal dystrophy and don't want to do anything to jeopardize my

sight.

The Arava has already affected my liver profile after only two weeks. My

AST/SGOT went from 14 to 46 (Normal 0-37). My ALT/SGPT went from 13 to 43

(Normal 0-40). I was concerned, but my rheumy said that the increases were

minimal and nothing to worry about. So I shall try not to worrry.

Sometimes I wonder which is worse, the disease or the medications. But if

you're in as much pain as I was, you're bound to do something.

Sue

on 8/12/02 12:41 PM, OceanLBI@... at OceanLBI@... wrote:

> Hi there,

> Well I finally called my rheumi on Friday since the pain in my feet

> was so bad and i got in this morning to see him. I told him about the pain in

> my feet, the burning feeling that I've been having, stiffness and such. He

> asked me if I have been having any other problems lately. I have and told him

> about them and also how it seems that on part of me will start up, and then

> I'll get some relief only to have another area start to give me problems.

> Like my feet are doing now. Anyway he seems to think that my plaquenil has

> stopped working as well for me as it had been. He put me on methotrexate. 2.5

> mg 3 pills 1 day a week. I did get them filled and when I read the insert

> with the warnings listed I have to say that it really scared me. He told me

> that this is a low dose. I still have to take the plaquenil till I see him in

> October since he said that it takes a little bit before the mtx starts to

> work for me and if I stop the plaquenil I will probably be in alot of pain. I

> did read that it can cause serious problems when used along with nsaids. I am

> on celebrex also. I was wondering what if any side effects seem to be most

> common with anyone that has been on this drug, what dose seems to be the

> usual that most people have been prescribed. It just worries me now that I

> have read this literature and am wondering I guess if I should put up with

> the pain rather than worry about these side effects. Thanks in advance for

> any info. Barb