I was wondering if anyone has taken this DMARD for help of neuropathy pain? My doctor at Hopkins has suggested it after all other typical treatments have been unsuccessful (Lyrica, Neurontin, Cymbalta...etc)
It sounds like an immune suppressor and I'm not sure how it is to help nerve pain. It also seems to have some significant risks and requires lots of blood work, and vaccines prior to starting.
What, if anything, can someone here tell me about this medicine and it's help with nerve pain?
Thanks,
Anita
Anita, The Brand name of this drug is Arava and it is an anti-inflammatory drug.
I don't know what you are specifically taking this for, but the thing they advertise this drug for is rheumatoid arthritis if I am not mistaken. I don't really know much about this drug.
I would imagine that it is like the others. Side effects that can be miserable or enough to make you quit the drug. Or, it could really be the best thing you have had in a long time. Sort of a crap shoot and just have to wait and see.
I would ask some specific questions of your doc. What are you giving it to me for? What is the drug supposed to make better or improve? What are the side effects? Are there any side effects that I should know about that might influence my life's decision---affect fertility, etc. How long do I have to take it? How often do I have to take it? Are there any drugs that I can't take with the Arava?? You get the picture I am sure! Good luck. irish ;D
Irish, he did tell me it is an older drug used for RA. However, he said a FEW of his patients found it to help nerve pain...PN. I don't have RA so this is strictly being used to help the nerve pain. That's why I was asking about others and whether they have ever been prescribed it for this purpose.
It is a DMARD, used as an anti-inflammatory, so I don't understand how it could help nerve pain. I haven't started it yet since I must get the shingles vaccine, TB test, (flu & pneumonia vaccines I already have on board) and a load of labs done before starting. Side-effects can be plentiful since it suppresses the immune system. It also has a black box warning for liver damage.
I know the particulars...how much the loading dose is and that I'll take it daily. I was really more interested to see if anyone out here has taken it for the off label use of nerve pain? I can't find anything online for use with nerve pain...just RA.
Anita, I am wondering about the shingles vaccine. I thought that people with autoimmune issues were not to take this vaccine. I am thinking that it is made of the live virus and can cause huge problems for us.
Maybe my memory has failed me about this. It seems we had a long discussion on a thread some months back about this. Just don't want you to get into trouble. Some people have really had health issues after taking the vaccination. Irish ;D
You're right. It IS a live virus and I read through some of the old threads. Seems to be mixed opinions though. The most important factor is not to get it IF the person is immunosuppressed in any way. Many with AI disease take immune suppressing drugs (cellcept, methotrexate, etc) and these are contraindicated. The CDC doesn't not contraindicate those with AI disease...just people (anyone) who are immunosuppressed.
BUT, I'm not sure this is the way to go (leflunomide). I don't see anything to support the off label use for nerve pain, I don't have RA, and now I have questions about doing the shingles vaccine. Sometimes the best thing to do when one is not sure how to proceed...is NOT to do anything until the right answer presents itself. So I may just hold off and talk to one of my other docs for another opinion.
Thanks Irish for your input.
Anita, I feel the same way that you do. If I have my "druthers" about something (and it isn't an emergency) I usually hold off and wait. Back up and punt as they say. Usually something better comes along down the road.
A decision made in haste can often be a wrong decision. Good luck. Irish ;D