Starting on the drugs

beckie89

Hi all,

So I've just returned from my follow up appointment at the hospital. Got my sulfasalazine, 2 a day for 2 weeks, then moving to 4 a day after that, with blood tests every 2 weeks

Also had a steroid injection in my arm to hopefully dull some of the pain i'm getting in the short term.

Really just wanted to know how people got on with the sulfasalazine, as I'm a bit dubious about starting them!

Thanks all,

Bex x

stickywicket

I've never done sulph but I've got on very well with methotrexate for many years. The leaflets can look a bit daunting but remember most people don't get side effects. I hope they'll really help you. Also the steroid jab.

beckie89

Thanks I think the sickness/nausea is the one I'm dreading the most!

The steroid injection has really hurt my arm! Could say it's taken my mind off the other pain lol!

Bex x

trepolpen

been on sulpha over 17 years & never had any side effects , not as good as methotrexate but alot of us end taking more than one DRAMD

with sulpha they take up to 16 tablets a day for crohn's disease so dont worry to much

dreamdaisy

Like many on here when I began sulph it was one a day for a week, then one in the morning and evening for a week, then two in the morning with one in the evening for a week, then two twice a day for a week etc until I reached three per morning and evening. That sounds like a strong introduction to sulph so please check that it's what your consultant wants you to do. Steroid injections can sting and may not work - don't get your hopes up too high because that way you won't be disappointed if not much results. I wish you well. DD

dibdab

Hi there,

Don't panic about the sulph-I've been on it for 7 years with few side effects other than a very occasional upset tum which settles if I leave it off for a day. It's important to take it with/after food, and don't panic if your urine turns very yellow :shock: ! I now take it in combination with methotrexate and hydroxychloriquine sulphate(plaquinel)- and get good results apart from flare ups- there was some really interesting research done in America recently suggesting that this combination of DMARDS is often as effective as more aggressive medications and has potentially less side effects.

If you had a steroid injection into a joint did they tell you to rest it for 48 hours to give the steroid chance to stay in the joint and begin to work properly? I've had good relief from steroid jabs, but it can take a few days to kick in fully so don't give up hope if it isn't better instantly.

Hope you start to get some relief soon.

Deb xx

jojo03

Hi Beckie

I've been taking sulphasalazine for almost 28 years now (off and on) and it hasn't caused any side effects at all. Just make sure you take it with your meals, as it might cause indigestion otherwise. As someone else has said above, the sulph is generally built up slowly, I think it took me four weeks to reach the full dose of two tablets twice daily, so check with your consultant or the pharmacist if you're unsure.

I also had a steroid injection about 7 weeks ago - it took a couple of days to work, and once it did it lasted about 6 weeks, which was great!

Jo.

beckie89

Thank you all for your comments!

JoJo03, both the consultant and pharmacist said take 1 twice a day for 2 weeks, then 2 twice a day there after, I must admit I thought it was a big jump up! So I may phone him up again just to confirm

Its nice knowing that so many people didn't have side affects, as the consultant warned me that it is common to get them.

Dibdab, I had the steroid injection straight into my arm, he didn't mention anything about resting it, but it hurt near enough straight after he done it, and has been hurting me all evening

Bex x

mike26

hi beckie89
pleased to meet you,
Sulfasalazine was my first damard,and i had to stop taking it after
4 weeks it dropped my (white cell blood count)to danger level.
im now taking Methotrexate and lefiunomide and seems to be working
for me,and im waiting to start TNFs soon.
I hope the Sulf works for you and your blood test will show up
if its not good luck mike26..

barbara12

Hello beckie
Sorry I cant help, but I just want to add my support and wish you well on the meds...I hope its brings lots of relief..x

Kitty

I was put on Sulphasalazine quite a few years ago. I'm not on it any more, but I was told to take one a day the first week, and increase by one a week until I was taking four a day. I got to four a day and felt nauseous all the time, so went back to 3 a day. Consultant said that was ok. I took it for 13 years, along with Diclofenac, Indomethacin, Cimetidine and ferrous sulphate. When I felt reasonably good, I reduced my meds to 1 Diclofenac a day, 1 Indomethacin and Cimetidine and one Sulfa. When I was having a flare, I increased up to the full dose for everything. 3 Diclofenac, 3 Sulfa, 1 Indomethacin and Cimetidine and 4 ferrous sulphate. I wasn't aware of any problems with it.

Kittkat

Never taken sulf but just want to say good luck

beckie89

Hi all,

Firstly, thanks for all the messages of support, they have been a great help and have given me some useful advice

Day 2 of meds is over, and I've noticed a couple of things, firstly the urine! I knew this was gonna happen, but it didn't prepare me lol, not a nice colour!

Secondly, did anyone else suffer from extreme thirst? I've drank 4 bottles of water today, and I still feel so thirsty! Didn't know if this was a side effect or just me?

Thanks

Bex x

dreamdaisy

It may be worth your reading the side-effects leaflet - I began mine at a slower rate than you and had much bruising for a while, others have experienced nausea and headaches. I haven't heard of this before but I am not a doctor and do not know your medical history. DD

As5567

beckie89 wrote:

Thanks I think the sickness/nausea is the one I'm dreading the most!

The steroid injection has really hurt my arm! Could say it's taken my mind off the other pain lol!

Bex x

I remember taking these tablets as a child (orange pill if I remember correctly)

They gave me no side effects but sadly didn't work for me