User Reviews for Arava oral

It appears to have helped progression of my RA with few side affects.

I have had RA FOR 6 YEARS. THE FIRST YEARS OF TAKING ARAVA HELPED TO RELIEVE THE PAIN BUT WITH IN THE LAST 9 MONTHS I HAVE HAD LOTS OF PAIN ESPECIALLY IN MY KNEES. my fingers have been swollen since August 2009. My blood pressure at times seems to be high and i never had that problem before. at present i am taking the arava with metrotraxate.

I have had difficulty understanding why my normal bp was 116/70 and now I am lucky if it is 150/80. why?

I was dx with RA as a teen 17 my Doctor back then just had me on Motrin 8oo Doctors now cant believe how that didnt harm my kidneys as an adult i am very afraid of meds and what they can do to your body i started arava one year ago then two months into it i had a bad cough that lasted 3 months so i stopped med the doctor didnt think it was the med i then was afraid to try anything but recently my RA had gotten worse I would wake up in screaming pain and couldnt move my left hand was giving out was curled up then I would have to work a 8 hour shift and take care of my family what a mom does so I then relized i cant take this pain I need to be able to move again and be able to work so I went back on the arava which is doing great now i still have a little pain but not enough to complain about I rather be able to move and be pain free now i can deal with the rest later I also work in the medical field so i am afraid of my immune system but this medication has helped me this time around I dont get nausea with it but i dont get a heavy appitite I have lost 5lbs in one month with this med I feel pretty good joint wise I wish one day their will be a cure but untill then I need to save what joints I have left I hope this helps some of you i am 34 years old now and plan to live a full life and pray pain free good luck to all of you!!!and also I noticed my blood pressure was high but when I was off med it was high just as well due to pain but I take diovan to keep that under control..Read More Read Less

Have been in much less pain since taking.

after 2 weeks of treatment became very swollen an short of breath with chest paon

I failed on Embril, Humara, and Remicade, at which time I lost my sight in my left eye for several months, I regained about half of my sight back....Arava has kept me comfortable along with Celebrex treatment.

Oh my gosh. This med arava has helped me so much.a few months ago I had lost almost all the use of my left hand and arm.. some in my right but noe as much as left. Both knees had been inflamed and hurt all the time. I could hardly walk. After about a month of taking the med. the nausea went away, But I started taking it at bedtime, which helped. I slept through the nausea. The only problem I had was scalp itching, and my dr reduced dose. took care of the prob.

I have a disease called dermatomyositis.. I was put on Arava after being on methotrexate and having many severe side effects.. Have been on Arava for over 1 month and don't feel any different that when I started.. Hopefully it works soon!

I hate idea of taking something that suppresses immune system. Took Methotrexate for 6 mo. Constant nausea. Not good trade off in my book. All the pain is horrible but at least have adjusted to that in past 18 yrs of mostly no meds. Can't adjust to feeling like have the flu for 4 out of 7 days. Tried Arava for 2 mo. w/ no nausea, now have red itchy burning rash all over face. Dr has taken me off Arava now. Can't say I'm too sorry. It hasn't worked yet and it frightens me. Gonna try alternatives. Heard about a nutritionist in WI. Adrenal Fatigue?Read More Read Less

I had a constant stomach ache while on this. I found no relief for my arthritis with it even after adding it as a coctail to a couple other arthritis meds. I had to finally come off of it because it always kept my colitis in a flair. Since it didn't help anyway, there were no tears shed.

My side effects have been shortness of breath, daily stomach pain, reflux and dark urine. I have been on this med for almost 2 months and not sure if I want to continue. I have less swelling and I don't ache like I did when on metho. I'm so allergic to NSAIDS. I know these would help if I could take them. Is this the trade off? If anyone is on the injections or infusions currently please let me know how these are working for you. I think this is my next step.

It has been 2 months since beginning this drug & I have had constant nausea, loose stools, & headaches. I am also lethargic; sleeping 14-16hrs. a day. I cannot be productive on this medication,so yesterday's dose will be my last!

I have had RA for 20 years and have been on Arava for at least 8 years. At one time my blood count showed elevated blood sugar. I was referred to endrocrenologist (sp) for suspected diabetes. He suggested lowering my Arava dosage, which my rheumatologist lowered to every other day. Subsequent blood tests indicated normal glucose levels. I have liver function tests each time I see my doctor, and they are normal. I have problems with my appetite. I am on many medications for chronic back pain and for my blood pressure. Over all, my RA is under better control, even though I have had many operations for problems with my wrists, hands, and feet. I also take plaquenil and 4 mg. of prednisone daily. Overall, I am satisfied with Arava. Read More Read Less

I am the poster child for this drug. I was on gold shots before and the RH broke thru. I was put on Arava after that. Since starting Arava, I have had no, pain, swelling, stiffness, soreness or anything. I am in a chemical remission & have been for several years.

My doctor gave me this medicationo when the methotrexate alone has not worked but since I have began taking it I am getting really bad headaches.

I was on Enbrel alone but it was not quite getting rid of the fatique and pain. Two years ago I started the Arava and have little to no pain and a lot less fatique. However, recently my white count went too low and Dr. took me off Arava and now I am experiencing more pain and stiffness again. I hope she will let me resume taking the Arava.

started it a week ago