Rheumatoid arthritis

[wendymc58]

Hi all,

I have had rheumatoid arthritis for 36 years and was on arava 20mg xeljanz twice a day prednisolone 3mg daily and methotrexate 15mg. I have stopped the arava and the xeljanz because I have recently been put on medication for high blood pressure. I am keen to see if that is what is causing it. I have just had blood tests for cholesterol and the usual others.. I don't see my rheumy until the 13th February 2018. I am sure she will be happy with my decision to cut out those meds ha ha! Anyone else having the same problem? Wendy

[helixhelix]

Presumably the doctor prescribing for your blood pressure proposed that you stop? And then prescribed the dosage of BP meds accordingly?

As Arava and prednisone do frequently raise BP, so if you stop them and carry on taking BP medicine as previously you could drop too low? Do keep an eye on your BP levels to be sure.

Last year my BP also started rocketing, despite never having had a problem before. But for me it turned out that the main culprit was problem with my heart valve, rather than the drugs. It took a while to get the BP drug dosage right. But since I want to avoid extra drugs as much as possible I'm also working on non-drug approaches to controlling BP - which is helping but not enough yet to come off the BP drugs completely.

[wendymc58 in reply to helixhelix]

No my doctor doesn't know yet!! I have been checking my blood pressure and it is a lot better than before but still a little high. I have read it can take 1-2 years for the effects of arava to leave your body unless you take another drug.. Good on you for trying a non approach to taking drugs for high blood pressure

[helixhelix in reply to wendymc58]

Well keep an eye on it, and I hope your RA stays quiet. Prednisone can also raise blood pressure....

[Hidden]

Leflunomide (Arava) is known to cause High Blood Pressure.

[summer32]

Yes leflumonide can cause high blood pressure, and Interestingly my life Insurance cover wont accept me if I take this drug!! Or adalinumab