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Date: 09.04.2012
From: Mike

Subject: Sulfasalazine not for me.

Hi everybody,

After taking sulfasalazine for three weeks I got laryngitis and tonsillitis so I had to stop taking it whilst I took penicillin for 7 days.
When I had finished the penicillin I was told to start taking the sulfa again on the same does as I had got to which was two in the morning and one in the evening (1500mg). The day I started taking them I started itching, the itching became unbearable and relentless.
I went to my GP who said it was Photosensitivity possibly caused by the sulfa but said it could have been naproxen or even nortryptiline that caused it.
He told me ti stop taking the sulfa and prescribed me prednisolone starting with 40mg the first day and going down 5mg a day until they had ran out(8days).
After two days of taking the steroids I was feeling better than I had felt in about 8months.
I phoned my rheumatologist who told me after I finished the steroids to give it one more go on the sulfasalazine but to start on the lowest dose again one pill in the morning.
I did as he said and on the very first day I started itching again and came up in a hives like rash, back to the GP who gave me steroid jab which has yet to take effect but atleast the itching has stopped.
The doctor has told me not to take the sulfa anymore and told me to get hold of my rheumy.
I did ring and leave a message with him on Thursday and am hoping I here back tomorrow.
I am assuming that the next step will be to try methotrexate, my GP also thinks the same.
I am just wondering if I will have the choice of pills or injection, I have read that the injection is more effective.
I really hope whatever I get put on next works for me.

So that has been my eventful last few weeks I hope you have all had a better time than me.

Thanks for reading.
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Date: 09.04.2012
From: Colin W

Subject: Re: Sulfasalazine not for me.

Mike never had problem with sulfasalazine , been on them for year along with Mtx , we take a pretty low does of sulfasalazine compared to some conditions that take 16 tabs a day ,

as for Mtx you can get injections , a lot better in some ways , make sure you take folic acid to help with the side effects of Mtx
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Date: 09.04.2012
From: lorraine

Subject: Re: Sulfasalazine not for me.

Oh thats a shame i was on sulfasaiazine for 9 years had no probs at all only came off it 4 months ago as it was no longer working, on MTX now lots of side affects from the tabs rhummy said only give injections as a last resort. you seem to have a better consultant than i do hope it works out for you
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Date: 09.04.2012
From: Sean

Subject: Re: Sulfasalazine not for me.

Hi Mike

I have made a few posts since finding this forum in the last few days - and I have noticed how many people are getting bad side effects with the drugs.

Not wishing to pry - but have you ever tried a strict diet change?

I used to get a sore frozen painful sternum, sore hips, very stiff back and shoulder blades that felt like they were full of sticky spiky hot rice crispies, a strange sore hot glue pain in the back of my thighs up to my buttocks. My dad had AS from age 18 - my symptoms started at about the same age.

Since I changed my diet I am 90 percent better - I would love to help other people with my experience and knowledge but often find that some people want the doctors to find them another wonder drug that worked well for most mice or rats.
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