salfasalazine

trisher

I know that this subject may have come up before but I only joined you all in a few weeks ago after recently being diagnosed with RA. I was given Prenisolone while they decided what treatment to give me.
I went to the Reumy clinic on Tuesday and they gave me an injection of steroids and prescribed me Sulfasalazine. I have started on 500mgs then I have to increase it every 2 weeks and have a blood test every 2 weeks.

I have seen the list of side effects, which is a bit scarey.

Is anybody taking this and does it help as I'm in so much pain?

Many Thanks Trisher

sapphire71

trisher wrote:

I know that this subject may have come up before but I only joined you all in a few weeks ago after recently being diagnosed with RA. I was given Prenisolone while they decided what treatment to give me.
I went to the Reumy clinic on Tuesday and they gave me an injection of steroids and prescribed me Sulfasalazine. I have started on 500mgs then I have to increase it every 2 weeks and have a blood test every 2 weeks.

I have seen the list of side effects, which is a bit scarey.

Is anybody taking this and does it help as I'm in so much pain?

Many Thanks Trisher

Hi Trisher

I've only recently been diagnosed with RA and started Sulfasalazine a couple of months ago, I'm up to 4 a day now and they haven't kicked in yet although they did warn it would take a minimum of 3 months and maybe up to 6 months before I would feel any benefit.

The list of side effects is a concern but so far I've not had any major adverse reactions, I'm still on the fortnightly blood tests, I think they will be monthly after the 3 months are up assuming that my results remain within the acceptable range.

The pain at the moment is the same as it has always been the only difference is I'm learning to live with it - remaining positive though and looking forward to the Sulfasalazine kicking in, - whenever that might be.

Wonkylegs

HI Trisher ,

sorry you are having a rough time of it. I hope that your meds soon start to work for you.

I have RA and have tried many of the different meds.

For me Sulphasalazine worked quite well for a few years before either my body got used to it or got fed up with it - who knows!
anyway, I did find that it helped me, but did have a few interesting side effects on me. Do bear in mind that they have to print all side effects but people rarely get them all ...... and we all react differently so there isn't a good way of working out other than to try and grin and bear it until either your body gets used to it or you learn to life with it, or you try something else.

A couple fo things I learned with Sulphasalazine ......
I used to need to drink much more water throughout the day as it made me very thirsty, and as I used my voice a lot at work (used to be a teacher) I was followed round by a cup and a bottle of water. :roll:

Also don't be alarmed if you notice the yellow colour of the tablets being transferred to your pee ..... rather disturbing at first but apparently quite normal. As I no longer take Sulpha I can attest that this is one side effect that is easily reversed!

I think I took 6 tablets a day eventually, but they were increased over a long period of time, so you may not get the full benefit fro a while. It is worth persevering if you can .....I really do hope it works for you.

good luck!

jenniet

I started on sulfasalazine and it did make a difference but not enough so when I reached 4 tablets a day I had methotrexate added as well. I now feel a lot better and seem to have avoided all of the side effects apart from the yellow pee! I think it was considered that I had had 'a partial response' to the sulfasalazine. Hang in there, things do improve, it just takes time!

Jenny.

suzster

as well as turning your wee bright yellow it also stains anything it comes into contact with, i dropped my tablets on my bed and my lilac sheet now has yelloe stains, looks yuck!

yesmeducky

The sulfasalazine drug improved my mobility and pain levels no end. (4 months ago i could hardly do anything for myself) Although my response was reasonably good and i tolerated the drug very well, my rheumatologist felt that combining the sulfa with methotrexate would benefit me more, which it has. My life has almost resumed to the life before 'arthur' (RA). Good luck with the sulfa. Let us know how you're doing on it.

Take care
Heidi

skezier

Hi Trisha,

Just started this, same as you up it and then up it again. I haven't looked at the side effects and please don't tell me Good luck though and I hope it helps both of us. Cris x

Wonkylegs

hey Cris - make sure you don't mix them up with the animal's meds!

We used to call Sulpha my 'horse pills' cos they are so huge!

and to think I didn't used to be able to take tablets!

Wishig you well .... I hope they do the good for you that they have done for other people on the forum.

skezier

Hi Wonkey,

I want to thank you cus your posts have given me hope that I may start to feel a bit better, I really have felt like death of late. :roll: :? I am just glad he has given me some treatment!

Slipper boy once ate the draw and got hold of my Tramadol...... :? :shock: He thankfully could be made sick and all but 4 were accounted for, Vets said he would just sleep it off and thankfully he did! He's a real chewer and he said thanks for the slippers xx

frogmorton

Hey Cris
This thread came at a good time for you eh?
Glad you are all doing ok!
Love
Toni xx

skezier

Hi Toni,

Yep Trisha couldn't have timed it better! (Thank you Trisha) I don't think I would have mentioned it and its good to know things in advance.

((( )))) Cris xx