HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Methotrexate or Arava?

Support Forums
>
Rheumatoid Arthritis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 8/21/2007 1:47 AM (GMT 0)
I am going to have to decide in October whether to start methotrexate or arava. I currently take plaquenil, prednisone and piroxicam for my RA. I've read quite a bit on both drugs. My doctor seems to think I would need only a low dose of methotrexate to get it under control.

I am severely underweight and worry about the stomach/weight loss issues (I already have problems with diahrea (sp)). I can't really afford to lose any weight. I have very thick hair, so I'm less concerned about hair loss.

I'm thinking it might be better to take the methotrexate, since the stomach problems might only be once a week. I'm afraid the "loading dose" of arava might start a vicious cycle with my stomach and be difficult to recover from.

What do you think? Anybody tried both and have a preference?
Posted 8/21/2007 2:35 AM (GMT 0)

I felt AWFUL on methotrexate. I never really felt like it did a lot for me. Then I ended up being very sick a year later (liver went toxic among other things) and stopped taking it in 2003. 

I've been on Arava since April and it is definitely making a difference (something I was never sure of on mthx) and I am not having as many noticable issues like I did on mthx (at least not yet - knock on wood!) I have been having some bowel issues for about a week and half....but, I just lowered my dose of Arava last month....don't know why something like that would kick in now if it is from the med.  It's probably something else since there is a bug going around - I also just returned from a long camping trip, maybe my stomach is readjusting. I was VERY hesitant to start Arava after my mthx experience. I'm glad I tried it.

Also, my doc said they don't typically give the 'loading dose' anymore....he told me why, but I can't remember at the moment. In any case, I was not given one.

I've been on Plaquenil for 2 years now and it works great, unfortunately like you, I need a little extra 'umph' to keep me going. So far, the Arava has been helping (again, knock knock) in that area.

Good luck. Whatever your decision is - I hope it's beneficial.

*** 


Posted 8/22/2007 2:51 AM (GMT 0)
I have RA and I have been on Methotrexate in the past about two years.I took the shot and the reason for it my Dad has RA as well and when Dad's Rheumy put him on Methotrexate but he was put on the pill and for about two day's after takingit he would get sick and throw up and complain with his stomach hurting really bad.I had to get off of the Methotrexate due to going on Plaquenil the two don't mix.I have never taken the Arava but I know a few that are and they said they had really good results.
Posted 8/22/2007 4:16 AM (GMT 0)
I was on methotrexate for a  year and I had all kinds of side effects; the rheumy finally took me off of it when sores broke out in my mouth that wouldn't heal.  I lost over ten pounds the year that I was on it and my hair did fall out, but I wasn't completely bald.  I hope that I never have to go back on methotrexate again because it gave me a toxic feeling.  I don't know anything about the other drug that you could take, but I do know methotrexate was bad for me.

Whatever drug you go on I hope you the best and that side effects will skip you.

Gladys Ann

RA, SEVERE DEPRESSION, & COPD

     Humira, folic acid, mobic, Medrol, Vicodin, Ultracet to name a few

Posted 8/22/2007 11:17 AM (GMT 0)

I've been taking mtx for about 4-5 months now, and I must say it works well for me.  My rheumy gave me the choice of mtx or arava as well, but he told me in his experience, arava doesn't work as well as mtx.  I believe it simply depends on the patient--some drugs work better for others.  I also have bad GI issues, but I have had surprisingly very few GI side effects from the mtx.  If you experience stomach problems that can be attributed to the mtx, you can always switch to the injectable form--which will bypass the stomach.  If hair loss and/or mouth ulcers start being a problem, again my rheumy said he would just up my folic acid.  It took a while for the mtx to kick in, but once it did I found it works very well for me.

Elcamino

Posted 8/23/2007 12:37 AM (GMT 0)
I took mtx for about 2 years. At first it worked wonders for me, but then it started making me sick to my stomach, so my RA had me lower my dose... it helped for a while... and then again w/ the nausea. It went that way for quite a while -he kept lowering my dosage, and by the time I was down to just 1 pill/day i still had the nausea. I had to get off of it. But I d hear that the mtx injection has a much lower chance of side effects.

As for Arava - I started taking that about 3-4 weeks ago -but just stopped yesterday. I talked to my RA doctor about it because I read about the higher likeliness of liver disease, and elevated liver enzymes. Since one of my liver enzymes was already raised b4 I took arava, I didn't think I should take a chance. I'm taking Remicade infusions now - yesterday was my first dose. He wants me to try that alone for a while. We'll see.

What I have learned over the years is that what works for one person may not for another. Hopefully you'll pick the right meds first ... just pay close attention to the way you feel when you are taking it and ask the doctor to switch you when you feel something is wrong. -- Shortie
Posted 8/23/2007 2:09 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all the responses. I think I'm leaning towards the MTX. I am still very afraid of losing more weight. I hope that I will manage okay. I guess if I don't I'll have to try the arava.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply