Guest guest Posted April 17, 2007 Report Share Posted April 17, 2007 It was one drug I have not had any side effects from and I take mine in the evenings. I have noticed some hair thinning but not as much as when I was on MTX. Good luck. Joy sweetpixie63 <sweetpixie63@...> wrote: I am just about to pick up my Rx for Arava and would like some advice from our friends on the board. Does it matter to you what time you take it? I used to take methotrexate and took that before bed so that I would miss out on much of the nausea. Is there as much nausea and hair loss with Arava? Thanx to you all, Bonnie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 17, 2007 Report Share Posted April 17, 2007 I am restarting Arava. It was the first drug I was on when I dx'd 4 yrs ago. I had NO side effects from it then and I am hoping not to have any side effects from it this time. I had ALL the horrible side effects from MTX. The side effects were not worth continuing with MTX. Toni ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 17, 2007 Report Share Posted April 17, 2007 Thank you for your input on this. I love this group, you guys are so helpful....... Just one other question on the Arava, do you have to stay out of the sun? Thanx again, Bonnie --------------------------------- Ahhh...imagining that irresistible " new car " smell? Check outnew cars at Autos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 17, 2007 Report Share Posted December 17, 2007 Hi.. The dr. prescibed prednisone for me.. I also have High BP and am afraid to take it.. What can I take with my BP meds? I know the list is pretty short! Thanks --- In , Jim & Delaine Lowry <keywest@...> wrote: > > I've been on arava for almost 2 years and have not lost any hair. I > don't > know if it worked for me very well as I was also taking 8 methotrexate > pills a week. > > The roughest time for me was when I was on prednisone and I gained so > much weight and felt like I wanted to " jump out of my skin " . After I > weaned myself gradually off of the prednisone, I felt much better. Of > course, I hurt very much everytime that I lowered my dosage. > > I have many pain free days now that I have changed my diet and cut > out dairy, coffee, sugar, and all processed foods. When I was eating > anything that I wanted, the pain was so much in both ankles, knees, > elbows, wrists, and hands that I had to take 100 mg of amitriptylin to > sleep at nights. I also needed vioxx50. > > But, now, I am pain free most days except when I eat something that I > shouldn't eat. And I'm not taking any amitriptylin to sleep and I don't > > need the vioxx50 except when I eat something that I shouldn't have > eaten. > > If I knew what the prednisone would do to me, I would have never taken > it. But the arava and methotrexate have worked very well for me. > > Delaine > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 18, 2007 Report Share Posted December 18, 2007 ----- Original Message ----- From: " rorasmom " <rorasmom@...> > Hi.. The dr. prescibed prednisone for me.. I also have High BP and > am afraid to take it.. What can I take with my BP meds? I periodically go on Prednisone for my asthma. I also have HP and taking Prednisone does not raise my blood pressure. As far as side effects, everyone is different. While I've gain about 5 pounds from taking it for 5 months, I don't gain tons of weight. You just have to try to make wise choices IF you get the munchies side effect. It affects my sleeping, my anxiety, and that's about all. The longer I was on it (after a month) the more most of the side effects either went away or decreased in levels. Darcy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 I was on Arava for a few years along w/ Remicaide and I had no side effects. Granted I have been really fortunate w/ my medications and not having any side effects on any medications. It was a great medication for me in combo w/ the remicaide. I wish I was still on it. My flare-ups were less frequent then they are now. I don't remember how long it took for me to have relief since I had been on remicaide since I found out I had RA. Just like most medications, I assume you should be able to tell after a few short weeks. Just FYI...arava is expensive. I had great health insurance when I was on it and it only cost me $35; but just for a month's supply it can retail well over $125. Hope this helps. > > Can anyone tell me anything about arava. What side affects should I > look for and how long before I find any relief. Thanks for any help. > > Thanks > ANgie > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 , are you still on Remicade? I've been on for 6 months now but was hoping that I could drop the MTX but it looks like I'll be on both. My reason to go on Remicade in the first place was to drop the MTX. I take it but it scares me alot. [ ] Re: arava I was on Arava for a few years along w/ Remicaide and I had no side effects. Granted I have been really fortunate w/ my medications and not having any side effects on any medications. It was a great medication for me in combo w/ the remicaide. I wish I was still on it. My flare-ups were less frequent then they are now. I don't remember how long it took for me to have relief since I had been on remicaide since I found out I had RA. Just like most medications, I assume you should be able to tell after a few short weeks. Just FYI...arava is expensive. I had great health insurance when I was on it and it only cost me $35; but just for a month's supply it can retail well over $125. Hope this helps. > > Can anyone tell me anything about arava. What side affects should I > look for and how long before I find any relief. Thanks for any help. > > Thanks > ANgie > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 good news, they now have a generic of arava. Joy <man_u8@...> wrote: I was on Arava for a few years along w/ Remicaide and I had no side effects. Granted I have been really fortunate w/ my medications and not having any side effects on any medications. It was a great medication for me in combo w/ the remicaide. I wish I was still on it. My flare-ups were less frequent then they are now. I don't remember how long it took for me to have relief since I had been on remicaide since I found out I had RA. Just like most medications, I assume you should be able to tell after a few short weeks. Just FYI...arava is expensive. I had great health insurance when I was on it and it only cost me $35; but just for a month's supply it can retail well over $125. Hope this helps. > > Can anyone tell me anything about arava. What side affects should I > look for and how long before I find any relief. Thanks for any help. > > Thanks > ANgie > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 I was told by my rheumy that you have to take MTX with Remicade. Sue On Tuesday, January 22, 2008, at 01:51 PM, McNally wrote: > , are you still on Remicade? I've been on for 6 months now but > was hoping that I could drop the MTX but it looks like I'll be on > both. My reason to go on Remicade in the first place was to drop the > MTX. I take it but it scares me alot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 , Unfortunately, I am no longer on remicade. I was on MTX and remicade for a year until my old rheumy had me on arava and remicade. I think you have to be on some oral RA medication w/ remicade. If your scared of taking the MTX, talk to your rheumy. There are other RA medications other then MTX. It was a great combination for me. I moved from Los Angeles to Denver and the first rheumy I saw out here told me that I didn't have RA and that I was " faking " to get pain meds. We butted heads and I told him how can I fake labs which shows I have an elevated SED rate and a positive RA factor. I got a new doctor and she has been great. I can no longer work and I am in the process of getting on SSDI so I can't go back to my usual rheumy. Colorado has an indigent care program for people who don't qualify for medicaid and get medical insurance, but you have to see their doctors...I am seeing a new rheumy on Feb. 1 and I am hoping I can get back on my old regimin since that worked the best for me. > > > > Can anyone tell me anything about arava. What side affects should I > > look for and how long before I find any relief. Thanks for any help. > > > > Thanks > > ANgie > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 4, 2008 Report Share Posted February 4, 2008 Hello... I do take Arava 10 mg per day ( my rheumy lowered my dose from 20 mg since I was having some stomach upset). The Arava along with 5 mg prednisone and enbrel 25 mg 2 x a week has helped me immensely. I haven't felt this good since I was in my 30's. I have had r/a since 1983 and am now 59 yrs old. Hope this helps... a ************** Biggest Grammy Award surprises of all time on AOL Music. (http://music.aol.com/grammys/pictures/never-won-a-grammy?NCID=aolcmp00300000002\ 548) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 4, 2008 Report Share Posted February 4, 2008 Well a, I think I will be asking my rummy about this !!! How long did you find it took to get rid of being tired all the time? I take 5-10 mg of Prednisone as needed daily, but I steer from it as it makes me crabby and really raises my appetite when I use it a couple days in a roll. So it is when I am really in a flare that I use it. Debbie A Have a great day ! -- [ ] ARAVA Hello... I do take Arava 10 mg per day ( my rheumy lowered my dose from 20 mg since I was having some stomach upset). The Arava along with 5 mg prednisone and enbrel 25 mg 2 x a week has helped me immensely. I haven't felt this good since I was in my 30's. I have had r/a since 1983 and am now 59 yrs old. Hope this helps... a ************** Biggest Grammy Award surprises of all time on AOL Music. (http://music.aol com/grammys/pictures/never-won-a-grammy?NCID=aolcmp00300000002548) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 4, 2008 Report Share Posted February 4, 2008 Hi Lynn, Welcome to the group.I think when I was finally diagnosed I was just relieved that it wasn't in my head. I also have Fibro, and IC.I take Methotrexate, Enbrel and Folic acid for the RA. I take Ambien to sleep and Vicodan for the pain. This is a great group and I have learned so much just from reading posts and checking out the website that are shared. Again welcome Heidi M On Feb 4, 2008 12:11 AM, Lynn <gardenrose118@...> wrote: > I just wanted to say hello to everyone as I am brand new. I was > finally diagnosed with RA after being told I had tendonitis for a > year or so. I tried Methotrexate but the side effects including > shortness of breath and dry cough were terrible so I am starting on > Arava this coming Monday. I am also on Folic Acid and 10mg of > Prednisone. I could not deal with more mg of the Prednisone. I also > take Ambien to sleep and find it very helpful. > > I am not sure how to get around in here very well but I sure hope to > meet some nice people who have similarities to chat with. So far my > dominant hand and elbow are the only things affected but I do get > fatigued. The chills and fevers are gone. I can no longer work but > hope to get back soon if they can get me into remission. > > Any positive stories would be very much appreciated. No one in my > family had RA so this was quite a shock to me after I had an MRI with > contrast dye. > > Anyone out there have good results with Arava? > > Thanks for your time. > > Lynn > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 3, 2008 Report Share Posted August 3, 2008 Shirly, Group Omg, I better look up what humira side affects could be. Arava side affects are scary. No. Maybe I better not look. lol hugs gently Clora > DD, > I have not had that problem, but when I first started taking it, I > googled Arava Warnings. I thought that I read something about the > abdomin. I went back and checked and I was right. This is the site. > http://www.drugs.com/pdr/arava.html > It does list abdominal pain as a side effect. I am glad that you are > going the 14th. I sure hope everything is OK. > Shirley > > > > > > I've been taking 1 pill of Arava each day in addition to 4 Mtx a > week and 5 > > mg of prednisone. Since last Tuesday, my intestines have been > sore -- feeling > > as if there is gas trapped. > > > > I have a colonoscopy schedule on the 14th, and have been thinking > that > > perhaps my Crohn's is back. It's been over 30 years since I had a > flare with it. > > > > Today, I was wondering if it's possibly a side-effect of the > Arava. I tried > > to find a comprehensive list of side-effects, but only found > diarrhea, liver > > damage and hair loss. Sometimes I get a pressure-type pain on the > back right > > side just above the waist. That comes and goes. > > > > When I went to take my pills this morning, I discovered that I > had forgotten > > to take them yesterday, so that inluded the Arava and prednisone. > > > > I was so good with my pills until someone told me that Nexium had > to be > > taken 30 to 60 minutes before I ate anything. So I get up and take > the Nexium and > > twice since I started that, I have forgotten to take the rest of > the pills > > with my breakfast. Once I set a 60 minute timer to remind me. I > may need to do > > that again. > > > > But my original question is about Arava. Does my intestinal > symptom sound > > familiar to anyone? How about the pain in the back? > > > > dd > > > > > > > > **************Looking for a car that's sporty, fun and fits in > your budget? > > Read reviews on AOL Autos. > > (http://autos.aol.com/cars-BMW-128-2008/expert-review? > ncid=aolaut00050000000017 ) > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.