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Has anyone had experience w Leflunomide( Arava)?
I don’t see that drug mentioned on here. It’s in the same category as Methotrexate so not a biologic. I was diagnosed w PMR 17 months ago. At one point about 4 months ago I was put on Leflunomide in order to help taper the pred. I think it helps and I’m down to 3 mg pred ( with slight flare but trying to cope) My question is - do you taper off Leflunomide like Pred? Is 20 mg a sizable dose? I want to see an end to this but thinking Leflunomide only is better than ongoing Pred. Thanks
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My Dr put me on 20 mg of Leflunomide are the same time she started me on Prednisone (30mg). I’m now down to 5 mgs and my shoulders and hips are starting to get very sore.
I can’t say if the Leflunomide is helping me or not. It looks like it’s going to take some time to get below 5 mgs.
Side effect from Leflunomide:
I am the rare person who had serious liver damage from Laflunamide. I had to stop it immediately and then go back on prednisone. I mention this to warn folks to be aware of potential side effects and see your doc immediately.
How did you know about the Lefluimide? Blood tests? I may have gotten a detached retina which may be from 2 years of prednisone. I’m down to half milligram a day but I’m having a little bit of a flare two weeks after I went from 1 mg to 1/2 mg and I’m a little concerned about both taking the prednisone because of the retina and also not taking the prednisone because of the pain. Any advice for those of you who went down to half of milligram as to how you stopped completely?
20 mgs is highest dose of Lefludimide but they also make 10 mgs. I’m a little unclear as to how much the leflutamide is helping myself. I was put on it at the same time that I was still on prednisone. I asked the doctor about tapering the Lefludimide and he said I would go down to 10 mg. I do know it’s not as fast acting as prednisone. I think it’s important to get off the prednisone first before I try to take the leflutamide. I also think I need to go on an anti-inflammatory diet. I think that may be a game changer.