Arava

Has anyone been on this drug? I am starting it tomorrow. So far have not had luck with any other drugs. StI'll no diagnosis. Rheumatologist says this drug is used a lot for RA. On my summary sheet he circled Inflammatory arthropathy and wrote one. He also circled long term medicine use and wrote 2. He underlined SLE but didn't number it. I am just so frustrated. He had no answers for the vertigo symptoms I have right now and seems like he rushes me out. Might be time to find a new rheumatologist but am so sick of the thought of starting over. Plus my husband just went on short term disability. One of us needs to be healthy for the kids. Sorry to vent but no one else understands like this group.

I've been on a combination of 10 mg of Arava and 2000 mg of Cellcept daily for about 5 months. I am out of treatment options to control my SLE, so my rheumatologist is trying this regimen, so far it's doing okay with the exception of the fact my liver counts are slowly rising. My son has RA and SLE, he was on 20 mg of Arava for about 9 months, it helped him quite a bit but he had to stop taking it because it affected his liver.

I take it, Lisa.
I'm on 20mg once a day. It has helped my arthritis symptoms a lot. My doctor has me on it and plaquinil 2 times a day.

Hi folks, I was checking in after a long time away and saw your question about Arava, Lisa. Years ago, when nothing else seemed to help except more prednisone, my Doc put me on Arava and the results were fast and positive. Your rheumatologist will probably check your liver on a regular basis & unfortunately, it had a negative effect on my liver. I hope it doesn't yours because I still remember how good it made me feel.

My son has suffered from vertigo for years and has gone to so many doctors. Recently a doctor told him that migraines & vertigo can go hand in hand so he's going to start using a migraine drug. He hasn't told me whether or not he's had any relief but if he has I'll be sure to let you know.