new medication mix

gwaelodmum

Hi guys - i've been to see my consultant today and i have been on methotrexate 20mg since Feb. I'm still in as much pain so he has now suggested i take another medication on top - either Sulfasalazine or Hydroxychloroquine. He gave me leaflets and told me to decide which one. Does anyone have any advice please? :roll: He wants me to tell him tomorrow - instead of feeling empowered and in control of my care, i feel confused and unhelped.
Thyanks you

traluvie

Hi Gwaelodmum...

I currently take hydroxychlorquine..I found i was very nauseous at first and it took about 12 weeks for me to feel any benefits..I am now in alot less pain than i was, but everyone is different.. i do not know anything about sulfaszine but i know there are a few people on here that will be able to tell you about it..
It is a shame your rheumy couldn't have given you some more info rather than leaving you in limbo...
Might be worth reading the leaflets and weighing up the pros and cons that suit you, ..
Hope you feel better soon and that some of your questions get answered.. wish you well and let us know how you get on..

stickywicket

Hi gwaelodmum,

So you have to decide on the basis of a couple of leaflets? Phew! Well, I can't tell you anything about Sulphasalazine, though plenty of people on here take it. I was started on Hydroxychloroquine at the same time as the Methotrexate about 10 years ago and I've never had any side effects.

Whatever your decision, I hope it works for you.

tillytop

Hello and welcome to the forum!

Whilst it's good that the consultant has given you a choice, I'm not sure giving you a couple of leaflets and saying "let me know tomorrow" is very helpful. :roll: I don't think you should feel rushed into making a decision. If you feel you time to think about it, then you should take it I reckon.

I have taken both Sulf and Hydroxy.

Until I got used to the full dose of Sulf (about 6 weeks if I remember rightly) I had shocking headaches and nausea but, once I HAD got used to them, I took them for many years with no problems at all. Certainly they helped me to some extent initially when I was taking them on their own but difficult to say what was helping once other meds were added in.

I only took Hydroxy for a short time alongside other meds and it gave me no side effects at all as far as I can recall. Again, difficult to know if it was helping because I was already taking other meds alongside.

Although the AC Helplline aren't medics and won't be able to help you directly with your choice, they are very good at listening if you feel you need someone to talk to - phone number is at the top of the webpage. They can also be contacted via the "Chat to our Helpline Team" forum.

Good luck with whatever you decide - and hope whatever you take really does help.

Love Tillyxxx

dreamdaisy

Oh dear, poor you, some consultants are not that helpful are they? I bet he thought he was being the bees knees of a doc! I am now on injected meth but have been on sulph for years. Neither have had any real impact on my arthritis but the sulph has kept the psoriasis part of my PA at bay. When I first began it in January 02 it was my first med for this dross, I bruised heavily for a few weeks then nothing: no headaches, no nausea. I have not tried hydroxy, only celebrex and naproxen. (both many moons after the sulph, that has been the only constant in nine years of meds).

We are all different in how we react to these meds, no-one can say for sure what will or will not happen to you/for you whilst on these. There is only one way for you to find out. I wish you well. DD

julie47

Welcome to the forum from me too.

Just want to wish you luck with todays appointment.

I take meth and hydroxy BUT have a cocktail of other meds too.
I can say though when I started to take the hydroxy nearly two years ago I did improve and no nasty side effects.

The decision has too be yours though, we are all different.

Take care
juliepf x

suzygirl

Hi, it is quite a dilemma, I am on both meds. The hydroxy helped slightly with the fatigue, but didnt affect my joints at all. The sulfa has helped my joints, but not enough to come off the steroids completely.

I have been fortunate in not having drastic side effects with either, just a few headaches and upset stomach which soon disappeared.

I wish you well in whatever you choose.

P.s. If you choose the hydroxy you need an eye check every 12 months. Also nboth can increase sun sensitivity.

gwaelodmum

Thanks everyone - i finally went to see my local pharmasist who was a great help (greek adonis too!!) so i've decided on the Hydroxy to try first. Will the NHS pay for the eye test.
Thanks for caring - it's good to know there are people to chat to.

stickywicket

Ask, Gwaelodmum. I have mine done at the hospital when I see the rheumatologist.