Sulpha side effects?

wibberley
wibberley Member Posts: 421
edited 16. Feb 2010, 16:11 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi all,

Have been taking sulpha (4 x daily) for just over 4 weeks now, and it does seem to be improving my RA symptoms. However, my headaches and nausea seem to be getting progressively worse - felt awful yesterday and woke up during the night feeling sick :(

Have decided not to take any sulpha this morning, and will see my GP later today. So annoying, as was feeling physically so much better. Has anyone else had similar problems and did you have to stop taking the sulpha altogether?

Lois x

Comments

  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,032
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Lois

    you got nothing to help with the nausea???

    Maybe Gp will prescribe something - seems a shame to stop if the RA symptoms are getting under control :(

    Love

    Toni xx
  • wibberley
    wibberley Member Posts: 421
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Toni,

    I take omeprazole - is that supposed to help with nausea?

    To be honest, I'd made the docs appt ages ago to ask for more details of.....well...everything! I really feel in the dark about my RA - I don't know anything about all these blood tests that others seem to have, haven't been offered any physio, OT or anything else. However, looks like my time with the GP will be taken up with sulpha questions instead :x !

    Lois x
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,032
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Lois

    No it's not just the omeprazole. I had something else - can't remeber what its called and it might just help enough eh?

    Good luck with teh apt I hope you have all your questions noted down??

    Take care

    Love

    Toni xx
  • topgirl
    topgirl Member Posts: 290
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Im sorry to hear the Sulpha is making you you feel sick :(
    I started taking it last year and it didnt really make any difference untill i went up to 6 a day. I felt that well that i decided to try and go back to work. However after a few months on 6 I started to get high blood pressure and lots of mouth ulcers and sores in my mouth. My gp decided that I had to come of it. I was gutted as I thought it was really good.
    If you are getting good results I would try to stay on it and get some anti nausea tablets from the gp.
    Good luck and i hope you feel better soon.
    xx
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Lois,

    I sort of agree with Kay and Toni here in as much as the side effects usually ware off with time..... I was on a normal dose and they took around 3 months to stop, they didn't do anything and the Rumo decided as I have a few other problems to double the dose and well the sickness returned but now its not always there just sometimes and maybe they are working a bit again for me. If they were doing you good it might be better to get the anti-emetics (I had some beginning with a D till it was better and then some starting with an M) till I was able to cope with the side effects my self.

    The blood tests should be quite regular for the first 3 months and then go to 3 monthly (this ed but it might be down to regional variations?) but its worth asking about them. Physio I haven't been offered for a long time but I do see the pain clinic very regularly and there could be so much more they could do to help you. Lois I really hope it all gets easier for you. Cris x
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,032
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Cris I had the ones beginning with M!! metaclorpromide????

    That's not it but similar. Might just help till you get used to the sulfa :)

    Love

    Toni xx
  • wibberley
    wibberley Member Posts: 421
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello peeps,

    Am back from the docs. She's prescribed Buccastem (3mg) to be taken twice daily for the nausea. Am a bit concerned that it says 'If sleepy do not drive' - really hadn't wanted anything to knock me out, just make me feel better!

    Have any of you taken this?

    I've just to take paracetamol for the headaches. Results from my first month bloods are good.....yay!

    Thanks for all your help and advice everyone,

    Lois x
  • annie_mial
    annie_mial Member Posts: 5,614
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Mine say that, too, Wibs..........but I've been OK. I'm on the ones that start with M (I keep wanting to say metronome, but know very well it's not that). I've had minimal problems with the MTX but on the odd occasion they've sorted the nausea very quickly.

    Annie
  • wibberley
    wibberley Member Posts: 421
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Annie and Lynn,

    Have taken one and feel better for it. Hurrah!

    Lois x