Arava and beneficial weight loss.: I had to discontinue... - NRAS

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Arava and beneficial weight loss.

RheumTrucker profile image
16 Replies

I had to discontinue mtx in May for bone marrow suppression (hospitalized). I'm also on Cimzia, but it wasn't holding up as monotherapy, so I started Arava (leflunomide). I've been on it a month and a half.

For the first time I've actually benefitted from the side effect of weight loss, 11 pounds in 3 weeks!

I have no other side effects with this medication and it is beginning to work well with the Cimzia.

Just like sharing good news!

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RheumTrucker profile image
RheumTrucker
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16 Replies
moomie profile image
moomie

Arava is one of my next possibility s. I could benefit from this side effect and a drug that works. Sounds good to me.

Great stuff! - although I do hope this doesn't mean you are e

constantly rushing to the toilet? I relate to appreciating a drug that has this particular side effect having lost half a stone through being unwell recently. There is an upside but have to be careful now not to succumb to increased dose of steroids. Hope the Arava continues to do magic!

RheumTrucker profile image
RheumTrucker in reply to

No, no rushing lol!

Pwos profile image
Pwos

Yes , Arava n Cimza work extremely well together...I have tried on a number of occasions to go off Arava but the pain returns. ..will have to just get used to the idea of numerous medications. . Better to be pain free n have a life...

Pwos profile image
Pwos in reply to Pwos

No weight loss for me...shame...haha..

RheumTrucker profile image
RheumTrucker in reply to Pwos

It's only a 5% chance. :(

LS1957 profile image
LS1957

It worked so well for me plus weight loss I even ran a 5k slow but ran it - then I got a really bad skin reaction came off it and then a year later went back on it with great results again but again skin reaction x hope it continues to work for you it was the best drug I have used x

lainee profile image
lainee

great news that you are doing well and losing weight !!! I don't know about side effects as haven't been on these drugs but lovely to hear happy news xxx

I lost a stone while on Leflunomide but never got confirmation that it was the drug what did it. I thought it was though & obviously reading your post makes me surer still.

RheumTrucker profile image
RheumTrucker in reply to

It is in the literature, but hard to find. The trots are far more common. What's interesting is that patients that experienced weight loss didn't necessarily experience the other.

in reply to RheumTrucker

Yep, no trots for me ... just unrelenting weight loss. I resorted to force feeding myself chocolate ... tough work but someone's got to do it.

carotopgal profile image
carotopgal

So happy it's working for you in more way than one! Always a great thing to find something that helps on more than one front. :-)

gillpalmer profile image
gillpalmer

I have ben on Leflunomide for several but have not lost weigh but sometimes do not feel like eating.

Azabat profile image
Azabat

I'm on leflunomide right now, too, and losing weight like crazy. It doesn't seem to be doing much for my joints, sadly. Still, I'll take good news where it comes. *grin*

cyprusmum profile image
cyprusmum in reply to Azabat

Did the weight loss come from having an upset stomach as well, or just weight loss in a general sense. My Rhuemy nurse said they might start me on that as I had a bad reaction to the Sulfasalazine.

Azabat profile image
Azabat

I didn't have an upset stomach, I just didn't really have an appetite, either. I'm not on it anymore, but my appetite still hasn't really returned, either. I tend to be an emotional eater, and that just disappeared. I'd be okay if it doesn't come back, really.

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