Date: 22.08.2012
From: Holly
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Subject: Sulphasalazine
Hello, I'm 28 & was diagnosed with RA about 1.5 years ago though have probably been suffering for three. I was on Methotrexate before which worked fine for a while but eventually made me feel unbearably nauseous for a couple of days every time I took it & I had other irritating side effects like watering eyes & heart palpitations. My consultant & I decided I would stop taking it as I appeared to be in remission anyway. After 3 pain free months it has unfortunately returned. This time I am on sulphasalazine & was initially really stressed out about taking something else after the disruption to my life that methotrexate caused. However, I have been taking sulphasalazine for only four days now & feel amazing. I had already started taking prednisolone again which got rid of the pain & am now weening myself off that. It's just been very strange because not only do I not feel sick but I have felt more alert, energetic, calm & focused than I have done in longer than I can remember, at times I almost feel euphoric! I'm certainly not holding my breath that this will last but am certainly enjoying it & making the most of it! I was just wondering if anyone else had any similar experiences? With sulphasalazine alone or combined with prednisolone. I did have a particularly relaxing weekend but not loads of sleep & don't feel at all exhausted. I think there is an element of relief at not instantly feeling awful as I was very concerned, I suspect the coating they put on the tablets helps as it doesn't breakdown as soon as you swallow them. I will be increasing my dose though over the next month so we shall see how it goes! Any feedback regarding this drug appreciated :)
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Date: 23.08.2012
From: bsk
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Subject: Re: Sulphasalazine
I don't know anything about sulphasalazine but do know pred makes me feel exactly like that. how much are you taking?
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Date: 23.08.2012
From: Holly
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Subject: Re: Sulphasalazine
I'm only on one tablet of sulphasalazine a day at the moment, couldn't tell you what that equates to as its in my drawer at work but will eventually be on 4 tablets. Currently on 30 mg of prednisolone, took it when I first got diagnosed too & it really helped but no side effects negative or positive just left me feeling normal, which was nice! Shame that I can't just take that & get on with my life! Ho hum. Thanks for your reply :)
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Date: 23.08.2012
From: bsk
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Subject: Re: Sulphasalazine
Hi Holly, that dose of pred would certainly make you feel amazing and also quite buzzy. I can never sleep on anything higher than 7.5 mg. Suspect that is what is making you feel euphoric..... Have you looked up side effects of sulpha? I would if I were you!
Hope you get some sleep tonight.xx
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Date: 23.08.2012
From: rhona
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Subject: Re: Sulphasalazine
Hi Holly, I have been on sulphasalazine for 12 years and have had no problems with it, i did have some stomach pain at the beginning but it could have been because of all the anti-inflammatorys that i was taking at the time, i didn't experience any of the feeling you described so i agree with bsk that it is the steroids. Hope you stay well. x
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Date: 23.08.2012
From: Holly
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Subject: Re: Sulphasalazine
Morning
Kinda disappointed to hear that it's probably the prednisolone as I'm really rather enjoying this & I'm reducing my dose every three days now! Buzzy is definitely the word, funny as it didn't do this to me before. Oh well at least I will have had a very productive week at work & a clean & tidy house out of it! Did sleep last night but woke up at 4am for a bit. Kinda feel sleepy but happy & alert at the same time!
I have looked up the side effects of sulphasalazine & it's the usual nausea as the primary one, like I say though I think it will help that it is coated unlike methotrexate which used to breakdown as soon as I put it in my mouth which was fairly gross. Seems from what I am reading though that there is generally a much more positive response to sulphasalazine than methotrexate so that's heartening. Thanks for the added vote of confidence Rhona! And thanks for your replies bsk :) Hope you are both well!
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Date: 23.08.2012
From: Colin W
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Subject: Re: Sulphasalazine
Hi Holly just coming off steriods myself because of RA attacking my eye but personaly would not recommend it long term to treat RA
been on Sulpasalazine for 16 years , it dont work that well compared to Methotrexate & maybe they need to add another disease modifying drugs at some point myself had problems with Methotrexate & had to stop it until they upped my folic adic to 6 days a week , what folic acid were you taking at the time realy would try Mtx at some point , some people dont get on with it but its a very good drug & works well with the new anti-tnt
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Date: 16.09.2012
From: Sonja
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Subject: Re: Sulphasalazine
Hi holly :) I was diagnosed with RA a few weeks ago :( I have been taking Sulfasalazine.. As of tomorrow, I'll be on 3 tablets a day and 4 the week after.. So far, I feel fine :)) how did you feel on the maximum dose? I'm curious, I've heard it causes sickness as the dose increases..
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Date: 24.09.2012
From: Amy
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Subject: Re: Sulphasalazine
Hi Holly. Ive been taking sulf for nearly 3 weeks now. Ive had the nausea but have been prescribed anti sickness meds which have done the trick. I shall be upping my meds to 3 a day tomorrow. Have not yet felt any better but this could take upto 3 months to see an improvement. Hope this helps
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Date: 04.07.2013
From: john
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Subject: Re: Sulphasalazine
Just stopped taking these tabs after 3 years, I did feel some relief but I think like most medicines they stop working. I've suffered with ringing in my ears, diarrea, urine infections, and chronic back pain. This past week my body has felt so much better, no back pain or urine problems and no diarrea. I can only say that all tablets have sie effects and I seem to of got the all from this tablet, I can't say for definate if they works because of the side effects causing all the other problems. My new doctor said that these tablets are a form of chemotherapy tablet and I should never have been prescibed them. John
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Date: 04.07.2013
From: Eve
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Subject: Re: Sulphasalazine
I was initially on sulfasalazine and couldn't get on with it, though I seem to gave a general issue with sulfa drugs, and was eventually taken off and now on methotrexate. I get side effects with that but it is making a difference so it's a bit of a trade off for the greater good I guess :) I'd say it's the pred at this stage, that dose would make you feel pretty damn good :) Hope it works for you, everyone is different and if there are side effects then there may be things to help with those too.
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Date: 04.07.2013
From: lol
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Subject: Re: Sulphasalazine
just got my blood results esr 71 and crp 38 nurse said she wants to see me on monday said i need to go on sulfasalazine soon rather than later dont want to dont know what the outcome if i dont really worried
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