Hi Heather - I started 5 weeks ago. I have had about 4 dreadful headaches but they seem to have eased off the past 2 weeks so hope it was just a getting used to it type of thing. I tried mine in the morning but it made me very sleepy and lethargic. I started to take it in the evening with plenty water and it seems to have been ok. I have just gone up to the 20mg dose this week.

It seems to be working though. I have some of my energy back and esr is down to double figures at last. Hope you find it workd well for you too - let us know how you get on with it XX Ailsa

Hi

I have been on Leflunomide for over 3 years, no problems and its been an effective drug for me. Remember a bit of Nausea at the beginning but thats all.

Lately l have had raised blood pressure but not too bad and Telmesartan controls it without problems.

I am on 20mg and take it in the mornings, haven't noticed it being a problem with drowsiness etc.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Christine xx

Hi Heather - I started mid way through the week with Leflunomide when I stopped MTX in July. However, I have had to go back on MTX now as well, so it must be ok to take them together. I take both at about 8pm, so on Monday's I take MTX and Lefl together. It seems to be no different to taking them separately, so hope you are ok with the switch over. Good luck XX Ailsa

Thanks all. Just moving past week 1 on the Lef and nothing's happened. No side effects other than I've flared p again. Hands are pretty bad and having to go back on painkillers 24/7. Hot flushes returning, symptoms spread back to knees and especially wrists and feet. I just hope something starts to work at some point in my life. I'm trying to stay positive but it's getting increasingly difficult when nothing ever seems to work.

Hi Mairead, so sorry to hear you are feeling so poorly, I really hope this leflu kick in soon, I agree totally with Kathryn having to rely on tablets all the time is draining and annoying!

If you;re anything like me you want an instant result from the tablets, and unfortunately they dont work that way as well as having unprounancable names as well!!

Take care and hope you feel better soon.

Heather xxxxx

My B/P went up on Leflunamide some years ago and it didn't come down when I stopped it!
It is a listed side effect.

Doreen xx

How are you getting on now Heather? Any more results?

Thanks for the kind comments everyone and sorry to moan. If anyone understands I know you all do

Well so far no side effects but things do seem to be settling down a bit. I've gone from 24/7 pain medication to as and when needed. My one finger is still very badly swollen but isn't as painful and angry and red as before. I brought my nurse consultation forward by 2 weeks as I was in so much pain last week but now I'm considering moving it back to the original date. Whether that's the Lef or sheer coincidence (I am pretty unpredictable with my flares) I don't know but to be honest I don't care. I'm just glad not to be in so much pain!

Regarding hot flushes I had them something vicious last year before I was diagnosed. I thought it was my age (46) but apparently not. I flush terrible (dripping sweats) during a flare and so seeing as Im flaring at the moment I don't know if it's the Lef or the flare causing them. As for BP it's early days yet. I have textbook or even low BP usually so I'll watch it with interest.