Hello lovely people
I had my leflunomide increased from 10-20mg a couple of weeks ago. The last few days i feel like I'm on a waltzer! Feel so sick, with a weird heavy dizzy feeling in the old noggin. Plus I am exhausted. Could happily sleep all day.
Any one else had this experience, and does it wear off? Thanks
No actually tthe opposite it gacve me more energy but it took about 3 months to work. are you sure is not a bug as here their is a lot of flu about !
Had that when my methotrexate was increased.
Sickness and wooziness wore off after a few weeks but headaches continued. Not leflumonide but similar stuff.
Hi Nettac,
Sorry you're experiencing nastiness with LEF. I've been on 20mg LEF for some 6 months now only one main side effect - weight loss. I'm having to focus on eating ice cream (home made - recommended!) to stop the weight loss.
However, I have noticed I'm more prone to feeling slightly wobbly and do bump into things a bit more, but not as bad as what you report. I do yield to fatigue when I can but generally it's not too bad. But both symptoms are part of RA so I'm not too sure what might be causing my symptoms.
You do get used to it and learn to accommodate the balance reduction.
Wish I had something more positive to say, but this disease and the drugs work in mysterious ways. I hope you get better with it and most drugs have a bedding in period so hopefully you'll become used to it and suffer less.
MJ
Thanks folks.
I don't think it's a bug, but who knows? Hope it wears off soon, as the drug actually works well on the arthritis.
OH had that when his methotrexate was increased and switched from oral to subcut. He barely ate for a week because he felt so sick, but that does now seem to have passed 3 weeks on.
If you haven't hammered this home to your Rheumy.....I think you should ..I felt like that on Leflunomide & lost 2 stone (that I could ill afford to lose) in 6 months. I just wasn't hungry, and as I live alone & don't have a big appetite I just didn't notice how little I was eating until my clothes were suddenly all too big!
Rheumy took me off it but I still feel unbalanced & haven't put all the weight back on & that was over a year ago.
I'm on RTX now & slowly seem to be levelling out.....but do speak to your Rheumy team about it.
AC
Sounds like the dose is too high for you. I would contact your Rhumy Doc.I myself can only take low dose because of adverse reactions.
Nausea is mentioned in side effects. I'm having a blood test Friday, so hopefully the liver function will be OK. I do worry about that, as I feel really sick, and my appetite is not good.
I was OK on 10mg. Maybe it takes the body time to get used to the increase 😳
Shame I feel so whacked and sick, as I'm off to see my son and girl friend today. We've planned a lovely country walk followed by a nice lunch. Hope I don't puke in the car!!
The feeling is similar to early pregnancy. Or for chaps...being on a waltzer or car sick!
Several years ago, I had to stop taking leflunomide after catching E coli whilst visiting my Mum in hospital. Recently my rheumatologist wanted me to take it again alongside Rituxan but it made me sleep all day, every day so I stopped taking it. Rheumy wasn't too happy, but I can sleep and drive!
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