Well as it is meant to be a “New Year, New Start” when was prescribed on Leflunomide back in July believed that this would be a medication that would work fine.

Got through November to December with only having 3 chest infections (9 in total last winter) so an improvement there. But around the first week in January started to suffer with numbness down both hands during the day and especially during the night with added excruciating pain in all fingers.

One Dr checked to see if B12 levels where sufficient (am B12 deficient) – Nope this test came all good 🙂

Saw another Dr two weeks later and it was concluded I was suffering with a side effect of Leflunomide which kicks in after being on for a few months once it settles in your system. After being taken off Leflunomide and being referred back to Consultant.

https://academic.oup.com/rheumatology/article/43/6/809/2891231

The link above regarding this side effect is a very interesting read – as all the symptoms experienced by the people in the report is exactly what I have gone through!

Within a week have had a phone call from Rheumatology to let me know I need to do a medication flush to get Leflunomide out of my system quicker than the usual 6months because of the side effects.

I am now spending the next 11 days taking “cholestyramine” to wash out Leflunomide which I have to say has some nasty side effects which are not pleasant!!!