I took methotrexate for a couple of years and it was horrible - it didn't work and my nurse practitioner refused to give me an anti-nausea drug to combat the sickness. I changed hospitals when my rheumatologist said, and I quote, that there is no alternative! My new rheumatologist was totally different and she put me on leflunomide straight away. No side effects and it works. I have taken branded and generic forms of the drug and I've found no difference. Being in the UK, with our NHS, I pay nothing for my medication as I am over 60 years. I feel sorry for patients in other countries who are having to pay for their medication.

I had to switch to Arava from methotrexate due to mouth sores. A rave seemed to start fairly soon working. Only drawback was thinning hair.