sulfasalazine?

lizzy100

I've just started taking sulfasalazine 3 days ago. yesturday i woke up with several bruises up my legs. I went to the doctors but they didn't seem that bothered. I was wondering if anyone else had this? also been getting severe headaches with it but think theyr getting a bit better now. :roll:

dreamdaisy

When I began sulph I bruised tremendously for quite some time. I had my bloods done fortnightly throughout and all was well, it was a side effect of the sulph. I am sure things will settle as your body adjusts to it but if not then chat to the rheumatology people about it as they may well be better informed about what is going on. The headaches are another side effect but they too should ease. DD

7worlds

I have been on Sulfa for two weeks now. I haven,t had any brusing but the headaches have been pretty horrible. As DD says, im hoping that they settle down soon. :roll:


7worlds

fruitloop

Hi. I was diagnosed with undifferenciated imflammatory arthritis a couple months ago. Due to having a severe reaction to diclofenac 12 month ago, my rheumatology nurse was nervous about putting me on sulfasalazine. She also gave me the choice of taking meth. My pain has increased dramatically and has spread to many different areas. Im very wary of starting my sulf. Its great to hear others experiences and have an idea of what to expect!

earthspirit

i took sulf for 3 weeks and have never felt so sick in my life
i was increasing from 1 to 3 tablets with the aim of reaching 6 per day
i have lost a huge amount of weight due to ra and feel the dose or the increase may have been too quick
im contemplating taking it again with a much slower increase time as i do have to admit that the swelling was going down very slowly
i spent most of the time crying and in pain and the headaches were like the worst possible migraine and hangover and like i been kicked in the guts by a donkey

i wont take methotrexate for now so sulf was an option that might help in the meantime

its also got the least likely severe side effects of the dmards and less damaging to your body.

the effect of taking for 3 weeks probably lasted about a month after i stopped and then my condition got gradually worse again

i cant deny they worked or were appearing to have some beneficial effect but i really really struggle with sick and nausea -- much worse for me than dealing with pain

i do have to also state that RA is progressive and if yours is highly active and the doctors are pushing you to take something it is really for your own good. this awful disease isnt doing too much damage to my joints but its totally messing up with my blood and ultimately the greater risk to my health through being not treated

thats as much info as i can give and hope that its some help to you

MrDJ

its a strange one as ive been on sulph for 27 years and never had any side affects. i was on 6 a day up until about 2 years ago and am slowly cutting down to one a day now.
i did have bruising but im sure thats more to do with the mtx and infliximab and not the sulph.

and when i was put on them the doctor said it was only a short term treatment

they can cause some sorts of hallucinations though but all tablets affect each patient differently.

as mentioned if you have any concerns contact your rhumy nurse specialist.

fruitloop

I have been on sulfasalazine for nearly a week now and have been feeling sick today. How long was it before anyone started feeling side effects? Not sure if its the meds or just one of those things.

diamond

Hi Fruitloop i have been taking Sulpha for eight months now.I had headaches for first couple weeks along with nausea then it settled down.I take six tabs daily i still bruise easily but otherwise no ill effects.I lost weight as i do not have good appetite since being on it,bit of a bonus as i needed too lose some.Everyone reacts differently to meds so it can be a case of trying them and seeing what suits best.You will need to get blood tests done to check out liver,kidneys etc this usually is done monthly for first three months.Hope things settle down for you.

MrDJ

saw rhumy today and im going to be upping my dose again.
one for the last 6 months and now onto two a day. in six weeks might start taking 4 again. as long as i dont have to go back to six a day.

only reason is my PA is starting to spread.
doc doesnt think its connected but as he said im special. none of my symptoms are normal.

i was put on 6 sulfa 25 years ago or there abouts. at the time i was told this is only a short term course

PA started roughly 2 years ago and the only thing ive changed is cutting down on sulfa so its being upped to see if it helps.

they still are unsure why i didnt get it years and years ago as over the last 27 years i started with OA and now have RA PA and ankyspon.

dreamdaisy

I'm sure it's the sulph that keeps my psoriasis under some control. I'm having a little trouble with it at the moment but as I'm on six tablets per day I don't think I can take any more. I think you can have up to eight per day if one has liver trouble but not for arthritis / skin trouble. Good luck with the increase Mr DJ, I hope it help matters. DD

MrDJ

thanks dreamdaisy.
hopefully it might help as 15mg mtx doesnt seem to help much. or on the other hand it might and would be a lot worse if i wasnt on mtx. im certainly not going to take the risk and stop it altogether.