Leflunomide v methotrexate

[Bookworm55]

My rheum consultant is keen to replace my 15mg a week of mtx with leflunomide. My inflammation levels have been higher in the last few months but I’m not sure what the advantage of the swap would be? I am also on a low dose of sulfasalazine. Any experiences on here please?

[medway-lady]

LEF changed my life and put the RA into remission for years and I wish I could still take it. Sadly because of kidney failure (not due to LEF) I can't but it worked amazingly well with some short lived side effects then it just worked. A pill a day and no more RA, lots of energy and a normal life.

[Bookworm55 in reply to medway-lady]

Thank you.

[J355ie in reply to Bookworm55]

I was taken off Methotrexate and put on Leflunomide several years ago and I've never regretted it. I get monthly blood tests and like you I also take Sulfasalazine. It's worth a try to see if it works for you

[Bookworm55]

Thank you.

[BonnieG123]

hi, Bookworm! I was never on leflunomide or sulfasalizine but I was on MTX for two years. Each time my doc upped the dosage and I felt worse each time but kept it up until I finally called her and said I was so sick I had to stop it. She did not want me to stop and when I was better she wanted me back on but I refused. From that point to now (about three years later) I seem to be in remission. I’m always afraid of a flare and that I’ll be back where I was. I had an allergic reaction to a pain med recently and my body flared mildly for about a week and then subsided again. I’m always in pain with peripheral neuropathy in both legs which affects both knees one without surgery and one with such a bad surgery I thought I would lose my leg. But so far I’m still here by the grace of God. I don’t know if my story helps or not but I wish you success with your meds. God bless you.

[BonnieG123]

the pain med was for my knee.

[Zephre]

Hi i have been on Sulphasalazine for 8 years ,I didn't like it at the beginning but my body then got used to it and touch wood i have been ok just takes time ,I know some people can't tolerate it but it's trial and error good luck x

[Airdale]

Sulfasalazine nearly gave me drug induced hepatitis. I am now taking Plaquenil, and it seems to be working well.

[smilelines]

leflunimide was great for me compared to the methotrexate.

[skinnycappuccino]

Good morning Bookworm55, I was on MTX (first tablets then injections) about 11 years ago but switched to LEF because of side effects (nausea etc.). I've never had any problems with it except for slight hair loss but I think I prefer that to the acne I got from MTX! I'm on 20mg/day and seems to be working but only in combination with a biologic (Kevzara) and Hydroxy. It might be worth giving LEF a go if your rheumy feels your RA is not controlled on MTX/Sulfa. All the best, Christine

[Bookworm55 in reply to skinnycappuccino]

Thanks.

[Bookworm55]

Thanks everyone who replied -very helpful. I have decided that I will tell my consultant that I will give leflunomide a go when I see her later this month.

[smilelines in reply to Bookworm55]

I hope you find it very gentle and it works well! You have to have tried both methotrexate and leflunimide in many places to be given a biologic so this could be good in that way too! If it makes you sick as it does some you’ll just have to stop taking it. That is what I had to do with the methotrexate.

[santm]

I have stopped taking sulphasalazine .. it works but affects liver in few years. I am on CIMZIA now and feel blessed

[smilelines]

I forgot to mention that I get the 10mg tablets and take one in the morning and one at night. I found that it was best this way so that I am not running to the bathroom.