Guest guest Posted August 19, 2006 Report Share Posted August 19, 2006 I definitely had that problem with Arava. I just started Remicade last week. So far no side effects. Lito S. ----- Original Message ----- From: a Rheumatoid Arthritis Sent: Saturday, August 19, 2006 9:24 AM Subject: Arava.... Hi all...I am taking Arava and pred for my r/a. My rheumy upped my Arava to 20 mg since I was still having inflammation. We haven't done bloodwork since upping the Arava but am going back on Tuesday for that and for my rheumy appt. I found with the Arava a lot of diarrhea.... anyone else experience this? Especially since it has been upped. It is so bad that I fear going anywhere. No fun.I've been approved for Rituxan but may try the Enbrel (self mix) again before going onto Rituxan. Enbrel helped me a lot with my r/a but developed mouth sores but since having teeth extracted...the sores in my mouth have stopped and I am thinking it wasn't the enbrel but the teeth/mouth in general. I won't do the premix because I believe that there is a ingredient in that that has caused me some site injection problems before. Thanks to all...a Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 19, 2006 Report Share Posted August 19, 2006 Dear a- Arava works through the stomach and if you are looking to loose weight fast, thats the way to do it. Arava was just too strong for me and didnt really do much for me. If you have site injection problems with enbrel, then go with Rituxan. An infusion like Remicade which I am on along with MTX once every 8 weeks is so much more convenient. No Sharps to dispose of. Make sure you get the infusion slowly your first time and have them add an IV of fluids, dextrose and saline too. They may put you on benadryl before it or claritin for allergic reaction. Remicade was originally given to treat Crohns Disease and works through the stomach and intestines much like arava does. I have never had a problem with it ever. You should be sure to take a bottle of gatorade and also water during an infusion. Peoples reactions differ with an infusion medication but be sure that the infusion protocol will be carefully administered with Rituxan or anything else. P.S. Have your pressure checked while on Arava, especially an increase. Hugs, Deborah On 8/19/06, a <pdelarosa@...> wrote: Hi all...I am taking Arava and pred for my r/a. My rheumy upped my Arava to 20 mg since I was still having inflammation. We haven't done bloodwork since upping the Arava but am going back on Tuesday for that and for my rheumy appt. I found with the Arava a lot of diarrhea.... anyone else experience this? Especially since it has been upped. It is so bad that I fear going anywhere. No fun.I've been approved for Rituxan but may try the Enbrel (self mix) again before going onto Rituxan. Enbrel helped me a lot with my r/a but developed mouth sores but since having teeth extracted...the sores in my mouth have stopped and I am thinking it wasn't the enbrel but the teeth/mouth in general. I won't do the premix because I believe that there is a ingredient in that that has caused me some site injection problems before. Thanks to all...a Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 19, 2006 Report Share Posted August 19, 2006 I just started Remicade. My doc lkeeps a nurse on duty who monitirs temperature and blood pressure, and they gave me Benadryl and tylenol before hooking me up. ----- Original Message ----- From: Deborah Bargad Rheumatoid Arthritis Sent: Saturday, August 19, 2006 1:40 PM Subject: Re: Arava.... Dear a- ... An infusion like Remicade which I am on along with MTX once every 8 weeks is so much more convenient. No Sharps to dispose of. Make sure you get the infusion slowly your first time and have them add an IV of fluids, dextrose and saline too. They may put you on benadryl before it or claritin for allergic reaction. ... Hugs, Deborah .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2006 Report Share Posted August 20, 2006 b12 should help with mouth sores. Helen a <pdelarosa@...> wrote: Hi all... I am taking Arava and pred for my r/a. My rheumy upped my Arava to 20 mg since I was still having inflammation. We haven't done bloodwork since upping the Arava but am going back on Tuesday for that and for my rheumy appt. I found with the Arava a lot of diarrhea.... anyone else experience this? Especially since it has been upped. It is so bad that I fear going anywhere. No fun. I've been approved for Rituxan but may try the Enbrel (self mix) again before going onto Rituxan. Enbrel helped me a lot with my r/a but developed mouth sores but since having teeth extracted...the sores in my mouth have stopped and I am thinking it wasn't the enbrel but the teeth/mouth in general. I won't do the premix because I believe that there is a ingredient in that that has caused me some site injection problems before. Thanks to all...a Stay in the know. Pulse on the new .com. Check it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2006 Report Share Posted August 20, 2006 Yes, I had that side effect but I take the dose every other day and that helps some. I also decrease the dose from time to time and that helps too. Abby In a message dated 8/19/2006 9:55:20 A.M. Pacific Standard Time, elsandoval@... writes: I am taking Arava and pred for my r/a. My rheumy upped my Arava to 20 mg since I was still having inflammation. We haven't done bloodwork since upping the Arava but am going back on Tuesday for that and for my rheumy appt. I found with the Arava a lot of diarrhea.... anyone else experience this? Especially since it has been upped. It is so bad that I fear going anywhere. No fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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