query about Arava - side effects

[Guest guest]

I've only been taking 10 mg Arava for 2 weeks (as well as 20 mg MTX which I was

on before) and the rheumy said it will take about 4 weeks to have effect.

Had a minor side effect which has pretty much disappeared, bad itching on my ear

lobes and inside the ears, and under my eyes. I also had this (but much worse)

with Sulfasalazine, had to stop this, then after a while on MTX, the same, this

was fixed by lowering the dose and then gradually increasing, when it happened

again, I divided the dose, then was OK.

I think its strange that I have had this bad itching (so much so that its really

hard to work with the constant scratching) with 3 unrelated meds (except for the

fact that they affect the immune system, maybe this is why??). Pharmacist said

to use hydrocortisone on the ears, or take antihistamines. Anyone done this?

Also after about a week on Arava, I have felt incredibly tired, a few nights

driving home, I felt I could doze off and felt like it was too much strain to

move my foot on the accelerator. (Thank goodness I have an automatic now my

fingers are giving such trouble). Then I looked up the side effects of Arava and

saw that unusual tiredness and fatigue can be a side effect.

Anyone else experience this? I thought I'd wait a bit longer before telling the

rheumy, I don't want to give up on Arava yet.

keep well everyone

hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving, just saw GW Bush and turkey on the news 

regards

max