Got to add Leflunomide to MTX now!

Wonkylegs
Wonkylegs Member Posts: 3,504
edited 6. Jun 2009, 18:28 in Living with Arthritis archive
HI guys & gals,

been to see Rheumy nurse today. Told her all about the latest lot of infections (have mouth ulcers AND an infected finger now, so an antibiotics AGAIN! :shock: :roll: ) and how I am feeling like one of those wind-up toys that gradually get slpwer and slower and stiffer and stiffer as they wind down. :lol:

She was really good and went to talk to one of the registrars who was around (was at local hospital not main one where my consultant was today). The upshot of all this is that I have not to use any of the 8 x 22.5mg MTX syringes that were delivered on Monday :shock: and wait for everything to clear up. In the meantime she will organise 20mg MTX to be delivered, and for my GP to prescribe Leflunomide.

I have heard people talking about this in combo with MTX but never really took that much notice :oops: :roll: - so would be interested in any advice.

I am hoping not to be one of the 20% who can't cope with the stomach problems this can bring :roll:

jsut noticed that it can increase blood pressure so that may be a worry as I am already on treatment - may mean yet more tablets!!!!

Oh well, have put it off enough ..... knew the day would come when I'd have to add something else.

off now to write a letter for my GP to tell her what has been said, and find out when she wants me to see her.

taek care all
((((((( hugs )))))))

Comments

  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Wonkey,

    I can't give you any advice but i do so hope the add in doesn't upset your stomach. I have a predisposition to throwing up and I can't remember what I was taking but they gave me cyclosine (not spelt right at all! :wink: )to help combat the sickness and it did work. I hope you don't get it but if you so try getting an anti emetic from your gp.

    Love to Little legs from insane slipper boy and (((( )))) to you from me. x
  • sweetpea
    sweetpea Member Posts: 22
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi. I was on both mtx (22.5mg) and leflunomide (20mg) for a couple of years and it was wonderful for me. I found that was the only combination at that time that really helped. I only suffered from an upset tummy initially and after a couple of weeks had no side effects at all from them. It really helped my joint pain and stiffness.
    Obviously everyone is different but I hope that you have as good as response as I did and that you too don't suffer too much with any stomach problems.
    Good luck :) x
  • debsmartin
    debsmartin Member Posts: 209
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Wonky

    I too have also done really well on the methotrexate/leflunomide combination, I do take omprazole to protect my tummy, but at the moment seem to be coping very well.

    debs
  • Wonkylegs
    Wonkylegs Member Posts: 3,504
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks for those encouraging posts.
    Strangely enough i have been feeling mush more positive since I came home. I think I knew really that I had to change something, although admitting that i couldn't go on like this was tough. I hate adding in something new, as that is when things can go wrong ..... scary and frustrating all rolled into one!

    Sweetpea & Debs, thanks for the tips about stomach protectors. I have to wait until my GP has had a letter from the rheumy nurse before I will get a prescription for the leflunomide. I will ask her for advice on whether I might need something too.

    Skezier - littlelegs was very appreciative of Slipper boy's best wishes - she is absolutely worn out today - been a busy one for her. Her favourite human friend (I don't count any more!) is back from his hols, so we went to see him. She managed to ransack his shed, eat all his grass (well, maybe not ALL of it, but plenty :roll: ) and leap the fence into next door's garden. Fortunately their (working farm) terrier was not there, otherwise littlelegs may have been no more :shock: as I am not sure she could hold her own even with her staffie breeding!

    thansk for the hugs etc.
    take care all,
    wonky
  • granter
    granter Member Posts: 24
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Leflunomide is the only drug that has helped me in 40 years of arthritis. I did have nausea at first but it went off. I think it's a great drug.......... as drugs go.........nothing is perfect. Hope it goes well for you.

    Barbara
  • mistywillow
    mistywillow Member Posts: 711
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    granter wrote:
    Leflunomide is the only drug that has helped me in 40 years of arthritis. I did have nausea at first but it went off. I think it's a great drug.......... as drugs go.........nothing is perfect. Hope it goes well for you.

    Barbara

    Hi Wonky
    Just seen your post. I used to feel like you that taking more and more drugs was awful, but now i just dont care. Bring em all on if they help us lead a more normal life, and make the pain more tolerable!!!!
    Really hope the combination works well for you
    Gillx
  • Wonkylegs
    Wonkylegs Member Posts: 3,504
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks Granter & Mistywillow.

    first I have to get rid of these infections, and that is easier said than done.

    Why was I worried about possible stomach problems with Leflunomide when the antibiotics can give me similar problems too!!! :oops: :oops: I have been feeling so tired and stiff today, and to have the joy of needing to be within easy reach of the bathroom has not made me happy! I am putting off going to bed as I know that as soon as I lie down I will feel worse :x but that's life with arthur around!

    Missing the MTX already. Don't think I will get any this week either, so will just have to pace myself and do more sedentary things whenever I can.

    take care all xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Categories