weakness and dizziness

[Guest guest]

These threads have been very interesting.

I am flaring at the moment (fingers pretty bad) and when I am kneeling

down I am struggling to get up too, no pain, but I feel strain when I

go upstairs too.

And I have also had a lot of problems with dizziness but mine is benign

paroxysmal positional vertigo which came on after viral labyrnthitis.

Interesting that others have experienced the same symptoms.

Rheumy has asked me to try Arava (10 mg) together with the MTX

(interestingly my previous rheumy told me that if the MTX didn't work,

then there was nothing else to try). I read a lot of previous posts on

Arava, so thanks to all for all this information. I realise that the

peripheral neuropathy is rare, but what are the first symptoms,

tingling in hands or extremities? Sorry to hear others were badly

affected by this.

I know it takes 4 weeks or so for the Arava to start having effect, so

hopefully Christmas will be better. Interesting that it stays in the

body for months after you stop taking it too.

Not sure what the future plan is, depends of course on how it works, do

most people stay on MTX + Arava once they start?

Thanks again for all the support.

cheers

max

[Guest guest]

Max

I originally took MTX for about two years. It had no appreciable effect. My

doctor then put me on Arava. I have been on it for about five years and it is a

godsend. It has kept my swelling under control and while it did not stop the

arthritis from getting worse, it sure did slow it down.

I do get dizzy at time and I have been diagnosed with Neuropathy. However I look

at it as a trade-off and the Arava has helped me considerably.I wish you luck

with the Arava.

Walt

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