Sulfasalazine side effects

misscb123
misscb123 Member Posts: 2
edited 12. Aug 2011, 03:50 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi I'm new to this site but I've got to a point where I need to talk to people who understand what having arthritis means.

I was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spond. about 3 years ago and have been taking NSAIDS ever since and more recently, due to new symptons, I was put on sulfalazine as well. Ever since, I have sufferered from the most painful mouth ulcers which are recurring every 10-14 days. It has got to the point where they are so painful that I can't speak or eat properly and have had to take time off from work as I feel so ill (I always notice some of my colleagues eyebrows raise when I tell why I feel unwell)

I have been back to my rheumatologist about this and all he wants to do is keep changing my NSAIDs - which I have done and still the ulcers keep coming.

I was just wondering if anyone else has suffered from this and if it could be linked to the sulfalazine?

Sorry for such a long post but any advice would be greatly appreciated
Charlotte

Comments

  • sugarbuttie
    sugarbuttie Member Posts: 225
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I too am on sulphasalazine but I don't suffer mouth ulcers. The two things I have noticed are 1) Poor wound healing - I have had a spot/bite for 4 weeks now & still a red mark 2) Tinnitus - only notice it at night when quiet or on my own.
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Charlotte,

    Welcome to the forum and sorry you have the AS and a the sulfa thing...

    I had it, was on sulfa for nearly a year and ended up with a major reaction so was taken off it eventually.

    Does your team know you have the mouth ulcers? Its one of the side effects flower and if they don't know its better you tell them.

    There is some stuff you can use but I can't remember the name....

    Can your gp help with them at all?

    Sorry I am not being very helpful but really hope you will find someone who knows the answer soon. Nice to meet you and hope it will settle for you soon. Cris x
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Oh dear, it sounds as though you are one of the unlucky ones who cannot tolerate these meds. They are powerful drugs and it can take while to find the one that suits you. I would have thought that a break from it, to get it out of your system and give your mouth a chance to heal would be in order, but as to the effect on the AS, well, I don't know as I am not a doc.

    I honestly don't know what to suggest: like many a rheumatologist yours sounds as though he is very familiar with the theory of it all but it is US, the patients, who deal with the reality of life on these meds. I have been on the max dose of sulph for nine years, initially I suffered amazing bruising, now it's just the tinnitus that is troublesome.

    I have been known to be one of the 'awkward' squad with my docs from time to time, ultimately we are the ones in control. You don't have to live with this. Be strong, stand up to him, tell him what you want. You are at the sharp end of all this, not him. I wish you well. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben

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