Fw: New Member needs support

[Guest guest]

New Member needs support

Hi Group, I am a RA patient who is about to counter her rheumatologist. I have

been on MTX for six years and my Dr. put me on Arava almost two months ago, to

help stop the progression of the disease that I was experiencing. I noticed my

blood pressure was higher at my 4-wk check-up. Last week, I went to the ER

because my BP was reading 209/104 - I could feel it in my head and chest! My

regular internist put me on a stronger medication to no avail. My BP is still

high, diastolic (lower reading) hovers around 100, and it has been over a week!

I just read on a website that a consumer group is calling for the FDA to pull

Arava because of it can cause dangerously high BP. My RA doc says Arava does

not cause or exacerbate chronic hypertension - but I am sure it does. I am not

going to take another pill! Has anyone else out there had this reaction from

Arava?

Thanks so much for your good advice.

June