starting new drugs

[Wraf22]

Hi All,

I have been on sulfasalazine for over 4 yes and thankfully working for. However, things have changed and I’m being moved onto Leflunomide. The consultant deny due to ongoing digestive system issues do not want to try methotrexate. Any advice or thoughts would be much appreciated thanks all.

[medway-lady]

This is subjective as we are all different but LEF put my aggressive as Ive been told RA into remission for years. Better than any biological it just worked but be warned take at night with a full glass of water as it does have side effects for a few days and they were nasty. The RA hurt more and I felt queasy but then it just worked, all swelling gone and no pain at all. Liffe was normal.

[Wraf22 in reply to medway-lady]

Thank you

[pineapple_head in reply to medway-lady]

Leflunomide was the best drug I took. I stayed on that many years and I was very well on it. It had side effects like loose bowels but it helped so much with the pain.

[AgedCrone]

Well….. I don’t really get your drift, but do you mean your consultant doesn’t want you to take methotrexate because you have digestive issues? Or that you don’t want to take it? If that is the case I would listen to the doc if I were you. Or have I misunderstood you?

I wouldn’t touch sulphasalazine again if my life depended on it…..but you say it has worked well for you for 4 years?

Just goes to show we are all different…have a word with your rheumy nurse & get her to explain the situation.

It will all sort itself out…but it will take time.

[Haz58]

I couldn't take lef as it gave me acute diarrhea. But everyone is different. The only way with any drug is to try it I'm afraid.

[oldtimer2]

I had very severe gastro-intestinal side effects from methotrexate, but everyone seems to react differently to medication. Leflunomide caused problems with my blood pressure, so gave that up too. Have a look at the NRAS medicines pages on the website as it goes through all the DMARDs: nras.org.uk/information-sup...

[GenesisRevelation]

Make sure you read the side effects. The original package warns of liver damage, but I didn't get the package with my pills. If it doesn't problems with your bloodwork and it works, fine. My liver couldn't take it. I had no diarreah or other side effects.