Arava-hair loss I was on this medication for 5 months. It totally broke down my immune system and I caught the pneumonia. I also started losing my hair after 4 months of use. I have stopped about 2 months ago and I am still losing hair. Although I did get relief, the side affects were more depressing than anything. I would not suggest anyone to take this form of relief. If anyone has had this problem or is having this problem of hair loss, please feel free to e-mail me.

Arava I have used Arava for the last two years. For the first two years I was very happy with the results. My rheumatoid arthitis improved better than on any of the 6 earlier DMARDs I had tried.
I have lupus also, so take hydroxycloroquine also.
Now I am researching new RA DMARDs, as my arthritis is making a slow comeback. Unfortunately, I have Lupus too, and that complicates things. But Arava was wonderful for me for two years. I was in extreme pain, with RA in my shoulders, knees, hands, wrists, neck and jaw. Arava absolutely brought that down to RA in wrists and hands only, and for a long time, I had little arthritis in my hands and wrists. Diahrria was/is a big problem, I take over the counter meds daily for that. I hope I can find a new DMARD as good for the next few years!!

Arava With this disease I have tried a number of different medications. This one that seems to work better than most.

I was originally started on Arava after having RA diagnosed. The immediate relief I received was incredible. My CRP did not return to normal after 3 months on it so I was switched to Enbrel, Humera and IV Rituxin. I developed hives with each one of these and still had no pain relief or reduction in my CRP. I requested to go back onto Arava and my rheumatologist added Plaquenil to my regemine. I have been on 10 mg/day for a year and although I have frequent flares the pain I have is still much less than when I was on the biologics. My CRP is never normal but is lower than with other treatments. I am also on 5 mg Folic Acid/day to help decrease the hair loss. My hair is thin but definitely not gone. I have not experienced any of the stomach problems reported. I would definitely recommend trying Arava.

Arava works but OUCH I took Arava for only 3 months and found great relief within the first month, but my hair fell (and is still falling) out FAST. I had a lot of hair and now it's very thin. I also had a rash on my body at the daily dose and had to go down to twice a week in the 3rd month. My liver function tests were not looking good either. It sure helped my RA but really had some nasty side effects.

I was diagnosed with RA 5 years ago. My rheumatologist immediately prescribed Arava. I read about this drug, & agreed to try. My hands, knees, wrists, ankles were so painful & swollen that I could hardly move & my fingers had started to bend. After 2 months on 20mgs daily the pain was virtually under control, the swelling was reduced & the finger bending had stopped. Now, 5 years on , I take 10 mgs daily plus Milk Thistle tablets to try & protect my liver. My doctor gives me blood tests on a 3 monthly basis, so far so good! I have had no side effects up until this moment; although I'm still uneasy about that list of possible side effects. However, the ability to walk, move, go to the gym for 2 hours every day, drive thousands of kilometres to dog shows, show my dogs, live a normal life, is more important to me than what MIGHT happen.

it has changed my life for the better The only real side effects that I have noticed is stomach problems such as constipation/diarrhea (it seems to be one or the other - never just normal) or even an upset stomach - but this is far more tolerable as the pain is so much better. Before Arava (& remicade) I was using a cane and or wheelchair. Now I walk and move more freely. I feel like I am truly getting my life back.

Arava-hair loss I was on this medication for 5 months. It totally broke down my immune system and I caught the pneumonia. I also started losing my hair after 4 months of use. I have stopped about 2 months ago and I am still losing hair. Although I did get relief, the side affects were more depressing than anything. I would not suggest anyone to take this form of relief. If anyone has had this problem or is having this problem of hair loss, please feel free to e-mail me.

Arava I have used Arava for the last two years. For the first two years I was very happy with the results. My rheumatoid arthitis improved better than on any of the 6 earlier DMARDs I had tried.
I have lupus also, so take hydroxycloroquine also.
Now I am researching new RA DMARDs, as my arthritis is making a slow comeback. Unfortunately, I have Lupus too, and that complicates things. But Arava was wonderful for me for two years. I was in extreme pain, with RA in my shoulders, knees, hands, wrists, neck and jaw. Arava absolutely brought that down to RA in wrists and hands only, and for a long time, I had little arthritis in my hands and wrists. Diahrria was/is a big problem, I take over the counter meds daily for that. I hope I can find a new DMARD as good for the next few years!!

Arava With this disease I have tried a number of different medications. This one that seems to work better than most.