Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Input re: Arava Wanted

Hi,

I am on the verge of switching from mtx injections to Arava. Does anyone have any words of wisdom for me before I take the plunge? I just can't stand the injections any longer, so I asked my rheumy what my options were. He suggested Arava. Unfortunately, I'll still have to do the injections in decreasing dosages for nearly two more months as I wean myself off the mtx. I have to admit that after doing a very little amount of internet surfing, I'm rather nervous about the Arava. I don't like the idea of this drug hanging around in my system for years even after I have discontinued it.

Please give me any encouragement and warnings you feel would help me in this decision-making process.

Thanks!

Sharon

I have been on Arava for close to two years with minimal side effects, the usual depressed immune system which means I get my flu shot and avoid the obvious, small runny nosed children, wash my hands a lot when in crowds as on the cruise ship. I had some abdominal cramping the first month, it kicked in after about four weeks, went from having to use a cane to swimming 3/4 mile a day and getting up like a normal person. It's been a miracle drug for me.

The main downside is use adequate birth control, as it causes severe birth defects and/or miscarriages, whether it's the male or the female on the drug. It stays in the system about 2 years but can be "washed out" if you have problems with the drug to get it out of your system right away. It's easier on the liver than MTX and a lot of other drugs, a glass of wine is allowed at night even. I have had great success, still follow the low starch diet but the only other drugs I take right now are SOMA, a muscle relaxer, and the occasional Bextra when I overdo things, like try to swim too many laps without working up to it. If it disagrees with you, it's an easy thing to stop it and flush your system. And it's a teensy pill, no shots. Yea! Feel free to PM me if you need any further information. I do encourage you to try it, though. It's been a walk on the beach for me compared to the side effects of MTX It can cause anemia, and also of course the liver, even though the effects are less than on a lot of other drugs, so regular blood work is a must.

Cheryl

If you can't be a good example you'll just have to serve as a horrible warning.
Jennifer Cruisie

Dogs don't want to know about every other dog you've been with

Howdy,
See if your Dr. would approve of taking mtx orally, I do, doesn't taste bad. I measure it in a syringe, squirt it in some juice and drink. No problem.
BigJim

Hi Sharon,
Although Arava has worked for some people, like Cheryl who has had great results from it, I thought I would just let you know how it was for me.
I was on the MTX tablets and liquid for a while with no change at all. But once I was put on the injections I was able to do so many things that I wasn't before. I had problems with my liver, but I feel that was my fault for not following docs ordered the way I should have. After we stopped it I was put on arava for close to 6 months and it did nothing for me.
As far as the mtx I felt the side effects were well worth benefits it gave me, especially after learning that none of the other drugs came even close to helping. Everyone is different though and you could be one of those who gets good results from another med. Just wondering...has the mtx helped at all? If so, have you talked with your doc about possibly putting you back on the mtx if you have no luck with the arava?
Good luck!
Hugs,
Lisa

Thanks for your input, Cheryl, Jim, and Lisa,

I remember you telling me about your experience with mtx when I was about to begin that, Cheryl. Thankfully, I haven't had trouble with it like you did. I haven't even had a cold, let alone major lung issues.

My doc switched me from oral mtx to injections last May, Jim, because I was still adding new areas of inflammation on the oral (I was up to nine 2.5 mg tablets a week). Lisa, I have experienced great improvement on the mtx injections. Unfortunately, I just can't handle them mentally anymore! I'm experiencing much mental trauma when I have to have an injection now. I feel like such a wimp, but I just can't help it! I really hate them. I do fear that I will be more like you, than Cheryl, regarding the Arava. I tolerated mtx quite well, she was miserable on it. I can hope that I will have the positive results that she has with Arava, but I'm fearing the opposite. Time will tell.

This evening was my third dose of Arava. I did have intestinal cramps today, Cheryl. They lasted about a month for you, huh? Hopefully they won't get much worse than today. Did you feel nauseous also? When I started getting hungry this evening, I had to eat NOW! It was that yucky sick to your stomach kind of hungry. I felt pretty good for about a half hour after eating, but a mild nausea has returned. I'll remedy it temporarily by going to sleep soon!

Well, thanks again, guys!

Sharon