Spasms

[EnglishRose63]

Hi all 😘

I've been on leflunomide now for about 17 weeks ish. For the past 8 days I've been suffering with really bad back and abdominal pain and spasms with lots of gas 😱

My gp asked for a urine and stool sample, which I gave him on Friday. I've got a blood test tomorrow morning.

Does anyone else have these problems with leflunomide, and do you think if it was these meds causing my pains wouldn't it have happened sooner than 17 weeks in?

[Downtime]

I’ve been taking it for nearly 12 weeks. There haven’t been any bad side effects but I have had back pain and lots of gas! It’s affected my bowels a bit but as I am generally a bit constipated it’s actually been good in that respect 🙃. Most things you have been experiencing are on the list of possible side effects for Leflunomide so hopefully they will ease over time but it’s good that your doc is aware and making sure that its not causing serious problems.

[EnglishRose63 in reply to Downtime]

Hi Downtime thanks for your reply..I'm not convinced it will ease over time because I didn't get any problems with it in the first 3 months (except headaches) Surely all these nasty side effects would have started earlier than 17 weeks 🤔

[Downtime in reply to EnglishRose63]

You would think so I agree. Your GP sounds thorough so if the drug is causing a problem I assume they’ll discontinue it and try something else. Be a shame if it’s working for you . I’ve had to stop biologics because of my skin cancer problems that’s why I’m now on the Lef together with Mxt. x

[EnglishRose63 in reply to Downtime]

Hi luvvy, yep it is a shame because it's great for ra pain and inflammation.

I'm hoping they'll change it for something that bypasses the stomach.

Ooh sorry you had to stop biologic, I've heard they're easier on your body but expensive for the NHS?

Hope you do well with lef and mtx luvvy.

[Durrell]

This is an interesting post EnglishRose, I’m going to be starting this drug soon, just waiting for it to arrive, at present I’m in a biologic & MTX, the biologic is definitely working but I’ve never felt the mtx does anything for me, so I’m now going to try leflunomide, I think I’m going to be a little nervous to do so in all honesty..

[EnglishRose63 in reply to Durrell]

Don't be nervous luvvy, everyone reacts different to these drugs. Give it a try! It's great for pain and inflammation but maybe I just need something that bypasses my stomach 😁

[Durrell in reply to EnglishRose63]

Thanks for your kind words of support & encouragement, we just take so much!! , if it works Rheumy wants to stop MTX, which I will be delighted, fingers crossed 🤞 again a big thank you 🙏🏻.

[Panda_Sumo]

I was on leflunomide for 8 years without much trouble except nausea and headaches in the first few weeks. It was really effective for many years. Hopefully you won't need to come off it. Good luck!

[jlngfld]

Hey there English.. I was recently diagnosed with Sjögren’s. I started with Methotexate and prednisone, Dr said it wasn’t working, according to my blood work. Now taking - Deflazacort-6mg q morning Leflunomide-20mg q morning

Pregabalina 75mg q night

Folic Acid, for just 7 weeks. I originally had headaches, I also experience back pain (that’s really nothing new). I’m so new to all this. I’m a little blown away to still have symptoms! I was thinking they’d all be gone?? Not much help here, sorry about that! Here’s to hoping your GP will find something treatable in your labs. I wish you well! 😀

[EnglishRose63]

Thanks everyone for your replies 😘 Came off leflunomide and my gp prescribed mebeverine and omeprazole.

Had my ultrasound last week (which was quick) and they found gallstones. Things have settled down in the past few days. Now just waiting to see what my gp says about the stones 🤔

Rheumatology phoned this morning and she's putting me on methotrexate weekly injections as it bypasses the stomach.

Onwards and upwards 💖