Re: Tracie - Arava

[Guest guest]

Hi Tracie:

I was on Mtx and Arava for about six months. The

combo worked really well, but I had consistent stomach

problems with the Arava from the beginning. I was

determined to stick with it, though, because it was

helping, and then I began experiencing some peripheral

neuropathy with pins and needles sensations in a

stocking and glove pattern in my hands and feet. This

got so bad that my doctor took me off the Arava (this

is one of the side effects that Arava can cause). It

took about six months, but the PN finally did go away,

as did the stomach problems.

The next drug I went on with the Mtx was Enbrel, and

that one has been my best tolerated drug, and it is

working really well. So, if the Arava does not work,

or causes problems, just remember there are still

others to try. I know that all of this trial and

error stuff is irritating to have to go through, but

that is the way it is for us.

I hope that the Arava works as well for you as it did

for me, without all the side effects I went through.

Best of luck -

Kathe in CA

--- tracierae143 <tracierae143@...> wrote:

> Hi,

>

> We have agreed to increase my MTX to 20 mg a week

> for now over the

> next three weeks and perhaps even go as high as 25

> mg and then if

> that is not bringing my inflammation levels down,

> add ARAVA??? He

> said it was another DMARD, but I am not familiar

> with this one so

> any info on it would be greatly appreciated. I know

> it has been

> discussed here before. Does anyone else take the

> MTX and ARAVA

> combination. I am still on the Prednisone 10 mg a

> day for now, but

> he does want me off of it eventually. I am so achy

> right now

> though, I could not do it. My Humira remission did

> not last very

> long, just a couple of months. I was hoping for so

> much more. I

> will bounce back, I always do. Thanks for your

> support , you

> are always so good to everyone. I will try and stay

> positive for

> our family trip which starts tomorrow. Hope I can

> keep up, but now

> am glad I have the wheelchair, just in case.

>

> Thanks again,

>

> Tracie

>

>

> >

> > So sorry you are feeling bad and discouraged, too,

> Tracie.

> >

> > Let us know what you and your physician decide to

> do.Not an

> MDI'll tell you where to go!Mayo Clinic in

> Rochesterhttp://www.mayoclinic.org/rochesters

> Hopkins

> Medicinehttp://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

> >

> >

> >

> > > > From:

> tracierae143@...> Date:

> Fri, 4 Aug 2006 15:46:28 +0000> Subject:

> [ ] Bad day -

> elevated sed rate and CRP again> > Hi all,> > I am

> having a bad

> day. My sed rate was up so they sent me for a c->

> reactive protein

> which was also high. Now i am waiting for my rheumy

> > to call and

> tell me what he is going to attempt with my meds.

> This is > my

> body's response after having to come off of the

> Humira. I cannot >

> go back on it because of the severe pneumonia. I am

> allergic to >

> sulfa. Not sure what he will do. Maybe up my MTX

> and Prednisone?

> I > was praying for a brief remission after being on

> the Humira

> because > sometimes that happens, but no luck here.

> Just wanted to

> vent. > Thanks for listening. Sometimes this

> disease is sooo

> discouraging. I > have been in more pain lately

> though and much

> more swollen. > > Hugs to all,> > Tracie

> >

> > [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

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