To start Sulphasalazine - Advice Appreciated.

diamond

Hi all, Seen rheumy consultant yesterday after urgent referral from ortho surgeon.Only had to wait 9 weeks-to explain i had tkr done nearly 10 weeks ago still trying to get better bend and going to physio.Other knee to be done when i feel up to another op,still trying to decide when would be best.I have been going to rheumy since july 2009, was tried on hydroxychloroquine but did not find it helped me much.As it was only low grade inflammation just stayed on painkillers.Middle June 2010 things changed pain in various areas shoulders,fingers,wrists, elbow,ankles,feet and back of heels.What really got to me was my knees,could barely walk.I had just seen them and had asked for referral to ortho as my knees were getting worse.My next appt was not till apr 2012, he only knew about knees,shoulder.When i got op was given steroid magic everywhere was pain free apart from new knee.My esr had risen hence new problems so now after seven months to try this drug.Thanks for reading.

tillytop

Hello Diamond and sorry you have been having such a tough time.

You asked about Sulpha - I took it for many years and only stopped because it was felt that other meds I was taking rendered it unneccessary. It did take a while for my body to get used to it and the first few weeks I did struggle with headaches and nausea. But a little while after I got up to the full dose, these disappeared and I was fine after that. I always tried to take the pills after food, rather than on an empty stomach. Athough it was a long time ago, I think I remember rightly that my dose was increased gradually so in my case it was one tablet daily for a week, then two daily for a week and so on up to my max prescribed dose of 4 per day in two lots of two tabs, one morning and one evening.

Like many inflammatory arthritis meds, it can take a while to kick in so patience is required.

There have been some other forum members starting Sulpha recently so if you do a search on the forum, you will hopefully be able to read their posts.

Good luck - and hope the Sulpha helps you.

Love Tillyxxx

dreamdaisy

Hello, I've been on sulph for nearly ten years now, on a dose of six tablets per day and it usually keeps the psoriasis part of my PsA at bay. When I began it I had terrific bruising but no other problems. I wish you well and I hope it helps you. DD

valval

hi been on it 4 weeks so early days but getting less pain and swelling did make me feel very sick for first few weeks still does from time to time. he rushed the getting used to stage one twice a day for first week then two twice a day but no other side affects and back in feb to see him (after 8 weeks) good luck val

dibdab

Hi,
I've been taking a combination of hydroxychloroquine and sulphasalazine for 2 years now and they certainly help, though it takes several weeks to kick in so it's good to persevere. They can make you feel a bit queasy so it's a good idea to take them after food. Hope they help.

Deb x

diamond

Thanks Tillytop,Dream Daisy,Valval and Dibdab for your replies. Will be starting tomorrow will post later on as to how things are going.Hope you are all doing not to bad.Kind Regards xxx

tjt6768

Hi Diamond. I've been on Sulfa for about three months now, had a few bouts of nausea at first, but the main thing with me (was same on hydroxy) is lack of appetite, I've lost over a stone again..
Within about two weeks though my skin was sooooooo much better and the IBS/IBD has eased about 85% recently.. Haven't noticed too much difference with the joints but I'm having one flare after another.. Waiting to go back to see Rheumy.
I've got sero-negative in my hands, wrists, elbows, possibly shoulders now, knees.. And OA in knees and spine.
I'm now up to four tablets per day but I know there is scope to increase.

Best of luck with it.

diamond

Thanks Tony if i could loose weight on this drug would be great.Hopefully it will agree with me.Just noticed you seem to be having a bad time off it .Good Luck next week i had that procedure a long time ago was fine.It is the colonoscopy which is not as pleasant,was diagnosed with Diverticulosis in Nov 2010.Kind Regards xx

tjt6768

thanks diamond. I had the same weight loss thing with the hydroxy but put it straight back on when they took me off it in the months between then and starting the sulfa..
Had to have a colonoscopy a few yrs ago. think I described that as going up to the molars but the sigmoidoscopy just goes up to the man boobs, lol..

Thanks for the support

sulkycat

Hi,
I managed a few weeks on the Sulphasalazine but had to stop taking it after a bad reaction.

I have read that it's best taken with plenty of water and that yes it can cause weight loss through lack of appetite (wouldn't have minded that!).

I hope it helps ease your pain.

tjt6768

hey sulky, I don't mind the weight loss either, lol..
Considered selling them as diet pills.. Haha