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Date: 11.03.2010
From: Teresa

Subject: Scared about having to start taking sulfasalazine

Hi everyone, in 2 weeks I have to start taking Sulfasalazine for psoriatic Arthritis. Im very worried about all the possible side effects, especially after reading about peoples experiences taking the drug online! Has anyone had this drug and not had any or at least not very many side effects?
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Date: 11.03.2010
From: Minnie

Subject: Re: Scared about having to start taking sulfasalazine

I have, and it did some damage to my liver, but my doctor stop it, and have tried two ther kinds, .. One thing i have learn, trust your body, most people are ok with this drug, but you will have your blood check on a regular bases, and if you don't feel right tell your doctor right away.. that was my first error, I know now what to do.. good luck with it..
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Date: 11.03.2010
From: jill

Subject: Re: Scared about having to start taking sulfasalazine

Welcome Teresa and Minnie

Teresa, we r all different, I was on MTX, then got worse, so put on sulfasalazine, on it for 6/7 months, I personally couldnt cope with it, extra tired, more sicky, no serious probs tho, just felt more unwell, so taken off that, and went on to Bio Meds..enbrel...feel so much better, Enbrel combined with MTX works good....like Minnie said, docs keep regular monthly chekups, blood tests etc, they watch us carefully, and Like Minnie said, if U feel really unwell, after it kicks in, think it takes 3 months or so, u can easily be changed to another med.... are U on Methrexate also? tc let us know how u get on
jill
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Date: 12.03.2010
From: Verity

Subject: Re: Scared about having to start taking sulfasalazine

Hi Teresa, I didnt have a good experience with it and had to come off it straight away but like the girls said, everyone is different. If youre having your blood tests and it doesnt agree with you there wont be any damage because theyll take you off it straight away. Dont worry, theyre giving it to you to ultimately make ya feel better.

Try to keep positive coz I find if im negative enough I can imagine symptoms that arent really there. Bit like when you read a medical dictionary, you can always label yourself with some illness lol

Take care
xx
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Date: 12.03.2010
From: jill

Subject: Re: Scared about having to start taking sulfasalazine

Agree with u there Verity....Poisitvity is Everything...... btw V, did the docs give u a date, or when they may consider the ops? tc J xx
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Date: 13.03.2010
From: Verity

Subject: Re: Scared about having to start taking sulfasalazine

Managed to bring my rheummy appt to friday. It was booked for 14th April so quite chuffed at that! So shoulg find out the plan then.
Got a important couple of days coz Im picking up me new car on thurs. Very excited! New car and new hips! lol

Hope youre coping lady. Thinkin of ya : )

xx
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Date: 13.03.2010
From: jill

Subject: Re: Scared about having to start taking sulfasalazine

Verity your be raring to gooooooooooo lol....what car did u decide to get in the end?
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Date: 16.03.2010
From: Louloubelle

Subject: Re: Scared about having to start taking sulfasalazine

Hi Teresa

I'm on sulfasalazine for psoriatic arthritis (take two tablets twice daily) and have had no side effects whatsoever - not even orange poo which I was a bit dissapointed about cos that would have been funny. This is my third bash at sulfasalazine (had first try when I was about 14 and then again when I was about 19 and again now aged 30). My mum also has PA and is on sulfasalazine and she has not had any side effects either.

I have been on enbrel for 8 years (also known as etanercept or anti tnf) which relieved all of the symptoms of pa and reduced the psoriasis from 80% coverage to just the tiniest bit of scalp psoriasis so wasn't taking any other meds. Had to come off that when I feel preggers (8 weeks gone now - woo hoo) so, as my rheumy knew I was trying, put me on the sulfasalazine so it was in my system by the time i fell (completely safe to use during pregnancy).

I'm pleased to report that, while the PA is not very good I have not had any psoriasis legions appear so it must be doing something right.

How is your skin? I think it might be better at preventing a return of psoriasis after having puva treatment for example than reducing the number of lesions. I know my mum's psoriasis hasn't improved since she started sulfasalazine.

Hope it works well for you.
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Date: 16.03.2010
From: Verity

Subject: Re: Scared about having to start taking sulfasalazine

Hey Jill, just found your msg! Im gettin a Honda Jazz, veeeeeeeeeery excited! xx
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Date: 16.03.2010
From: Teresa

Subject: Re: Scared about having to start taking sulfasalazine

Hi Louloubelle thanks for the positive feedback you had while taking sulfasalizine. I have to say I have not read many good things about it! Most people say they have had terrible headaches. I heard about the orange poo and orange tears etc! My skin is okay at the moment. I only get psoriasis legions on my scalp. I tend to have it for a year or so then it goes for a year or so! I have had joint pain for 2 years now and swollen fingers but my GP just kept saying it was this or that. Finally I had bloods and was referred to a Rhematologist and had xrays done and they showed some joint damage. I was a bit worried as they showed damage in joints that are not even that painful!
So will the Sulfasalizine stop any more damage and the pain? Im a bit confused until I see the nurse specialist and get given them and the information!
Thankyou all for your replys. xx
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