lefluomide

mig
mig Member Posts: 7,154
edited 14. Jun 2011, 17:17 in Living with Arthritis archive
Does anyone know how effective this drug is?i have had to stop methotrexate as my liver count went sky high and it was making me ill nearly all the time,lefluomide is only my second ra drug,apart from information leaflets that are with the drug and one that the nurse at clinic gave me i do not know anything about ra drugs apart from there being alot out there and its trial and error to find the one that suits you. mig.

Comments

  • kathbee
    kathbee Member Posts: 934
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Yes it is all about trial and error mig.

    I have had Leflunomide, at one point with 2 other
    DMARDs and then just with the MTX.

    For me, none of those drugs did much to help, so I
    came off them except for the MTX.

    Last year I tried Humira with the MTX but my body didnt like the
    side effects and now am due next week to try
    Rituximab, again with the MTX.

    I remember on Leflunomide they check your bloodpressure
    as it can get high with the drug.
    Otherwise no other side effects for me, it just didnt help much.

    good luck
    Kath
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I tried leflunomide years ago and it gave me crippling headaches. Someone posted on here earlier this year saying that lef had given them their life back and what a wonder drug it is. It's that good for them they haven't been around on here for two years and haven't been back since.

    We are all different in what works or doesn't, in what side effects we do or do not have. The only thing to do is try it and see what happens. I hope it works far better for you than it did me. I wish you well. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • julie47
    julie47 Member Posts: 6,041
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I am on leflunomiide and have been for a few years. 20mg daily.
    I am also on mtx,celebrex and hydroxy.

    I once had to come off the mtx for a few months because my liver began to react. I was then introduced to it again when things had settled down because leflunomide wasn't enough on its own. I can say I am, at the moment, happy with my combination of meds.

    Hope leflunomide works for you
    Juliepf x
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,827
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Trial and error l agree.

    l have a friend who swears by it :smile:

    l really hope it helps you.

    Please do feedback so in future someone can see how yo got on.

    Love

    Toni xx
  • Wonkylegs
    Wonkylegs Member Posts: 3,504
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi

    I took leflunomide for two years, and as it had been added in with MTX I was dubious about how it would work.

    for me those two years were tough to begin with, whilst they got the dose right for me, but then I can tell you that I had 12 months feeling 'well' for the first time in a very long long time,

    sadly, I developed a rash which, after weeks of investigations about my other meds :roll: I saw a consultant dermatologist who said that in my case the rash was due to the Leflunomide. I have to say that I cried at the thought of losing the Leflunomide but was definitely glad to find the cause of the itchy rash!!!

    Like all the disease modifying drugs it takes time to get in your system, and also stays in your system for a long time. It also seems to affect people very differently and I'm afraid as with all these things it's only time and trying it that will tell you if it's the one for you!

    good luck
    Wonky