Re: Re: started arava

[Guest guest]

I take 20 mg every other day. First couple of weeks I restarted taking it I had

really bad stomach cramps and diarrhea. But it is a lot better now. After I go

for my first blood test in 3 weeks or so I will try to step it up to 20 mg

everyday.

I went off of it for about a year. But my psoriasis and pain and swelling of 

joints

came back and I really don't want to go back to prednisone. I am also taking

voltaren.

Joy

started arava

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Posted

by: " koala2u " koala2u@...

<koala2u@...?Subject=+Re%3Astarted%20arava>   koala2u

<koala2u>  Tue Jul 27, 2010 6:30 am (PDT)

I started Arava on Friday - 20 mg a day. I did well Friday and Saturday, and

then Sunday started to not feel too great. Today I have had diarrhea,

nausea, and I haven't been able to eat. I know the diarrhea is a common side

effect, but I was wondering if it actually will go away with time or will I

have to quit the Arava and have it eliminated with cholestyramine? Anyone

have any information on this I would appreciate it.

Donna

[Guest guest]

Hi Joy.  I am on arava also.  My doctor had perscribed a 20 mg tablet a day. 

I had the same side effects as you, stomach cramps  and diarrhea.  I didn't

want to continue taking the perscribed dosage until my next dr. appt., so I

started biting the pills in half and have taken 10 mg before I go to bed

everynight, along with my voltaren.

I do not think I could be on arava if it wasn't for the voltaren.  The only

weird thing that happens while on arava is a weird tingling, tight feeling along

the outside of my skull, but under the skin...it's so difficult to describe, but

I link it to the arava because I have never had anything like this before. 

I informed my rheumatologist at my last appointment what I did and she seems

okay with it, but she looked at me funny when I tried to describe the feeling in

my skull.

Arava is going to be a hard one for me to stop taking as if I miss a dose, the

feeling in my head comes back and i feel a lot worse. 

Take care, and thanks for listening

From: Joy <jhoorm01@...>

Subject: Re: [ ] Re: started arava

Date: Friday, July 30, 2010, 6:20 PM

 

I take 20 mg every other day. First couple of weeks I restarted taking it I had

really bad stomach cramps and diarrhea. But it is a lot better now. After I go

for my first blood test in 3 weeks or so I will try to step it up to 20 mg

everyday.

I went off of it for about a year. But my psoriasis and pain and swelling of 

joints

came back and I really don't want to go back to prednisone. I am also taking

voltaren.

Joy