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Date: 05.04.2010
From: Tracey

Subject: Sulfasalazine -v- Methotrexate

Hi everyone! I am 42 and have seronegative RA and have been on 2g Sulfasalazine since last July. Although I feel better than I did, I still do not feel well most of the time, get tired and flu like and fed up! I was wondering if everyone feels like this on the medication and this is "as good as it gets" or do I risk trying Methotrexate instead in the hope that I get a better quality of life?! It has been so many years since I have had a day feeling "normal" and it would be so nice to be there again...even if not for every day! Anyway, I hope you are all ok and smiling (it is one thing that doesn't hurt!!). xxx
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Date: 05.04.2010
From: Sally

Subject: Re: Sulfasalazine -v- Methotrexate

hi Tracey, I seem to be feeling like that on Mtx.On quite a low dose 7.5mg. Rheumy thought it was the arthritis not the drug. I've no idea.
xx
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Date: 05.04.2010
From: paul

Subject: Re: Sulfasalazine -v- Methotrexate

I was first placed on Sulfasalazine for the first few years (seronegative) and it seemed to work ok until one day my RA got worse (seropositive) and i then moved on to MTX and thought it a wonder drug when it kicked in, took ages.
I the came off it so we can have a kiddie and now back on it.
I currently take 20mg MTX each week and its not working yet, currently feel like my big toe is broken and i'm aching all over.
There are better drugs out there such as anti-tnf but unless you meet the requirements its really hard to get on.
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Date: 05.04.2010
From: Tracey

Subject: Re: Sulfasalazine -v- Methotrexate

Hi both

Thanks for your comments. That is the thing I am wondering, is it the Arthritis no matter what?! I am thinking that I may well try the Meth as I have nothing to lose, apart from the 3 months it takes to kick in!

Take care and thanks again xxx
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Date: 05.04.2010
From: sally

Subject: Re: Sulfasalazine -v- Methotrexate

good luck with whatever you decide to do. Maybe you can be on a combination? I take steroids as well.
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Date: 05.04.2010
From: Louise

Subject: Re: Sulfasalazine -v- Methotrexate

Hi Tracey
You could ask to have your sulfa. dose increased to 3g a day and see if that helps. Or you could discuss with your Rheumy trying a combination with hydroxychloroquine before making the move on to MTX. The arthritis does make us tired and a bit flu like sometimes, do you know if your esr or crp levels are increased, if your levels are very high or increasing then that might be a sign that you need your meds reviewing.
I know that personally I will avoid regular systemic steroids or/and immune suppressants for as long as possible due to the side effects, but I realise that at some point in the future I might not be able to cope without them.
Good luck and I hope you feel better soon.
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Date: 05.04.2010
From: Toots

Subject: Re: Sulfasalazine -v- Methotrexate

Louise, are you on hydroxy? Interested to know as doc has told me to think about that or metho, and I'd love to hear what you think?
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Date: 06.04.2010
From: Abbie

Subject: Re: Sulfasalazine -v- Methotrexate

Hi guys! I was diagnosed 8months ago and put on mtx 15mg. Was everso nauseous and sick on it so had to split my dose half weds and half sun. After 6months still in alot of pain and CRP was creeping up again so given another depot steroid injection (had had two previously), put on a course of oral steroids and as it was clear pills weren't being absorbed it was decided i'd go onto mtx injections. It was another month before this could be arranged so stayed on pills another month but still with no effect. Been on injections four weeks and pain so bad was put on morphine 2weeks ago. I finished my course of oral steroids last Tuesday and already my joints are swollen, hot and VERY painful. I have to have another 2 injections before they can see If they're working and decide what to do. My CRP 2weeks ago had got up to 38.8. I think like all drugs, the arthritis drugs work for everyone differently. Don't know If this has been of much use but good luck with whatever you decide. Go well X
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Date: 06.04.2010
From: Tracey

Subject: Re: Sulfasalazine -v- Methotrexate

Hi

Thanks everyone for your comments.

With regard to my ESR CRP etc mine have never been overly high but the last blood test showed them to be higher than ever! Asked doctor if this should happen on Sulfasalazine and did not really get an answer! Off for monthly blood test today and going to book appt with Doctor to discuss way forward. Will let you know what they say!

XX
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Date: 06.04.2010
From: jill

Subject: Re: Sulfasalazine -v- Methotrexate

Hi Tracey, I was on MTX, then got readmitted to hosp ESR went to 97 etc, so put on sulpha OMG that made me sick for 6 months, didnt feel any diff, so came off sulpha, but took MTX 17.5, sickness, dizzy etc, like others felt.....MTX not helped, needed further corrective surgery on Shoulders and Hips, so now on MTX and Anti TNF Enbrel.....best decision I ever made.....the differnce being....less flare ups, less swollen joints,(still feeel dodgy when I take MTX) Enbrel combined with MTX works brill(most say it does) no side affects being on Enbrel by the way, I think its the MTX that does that!...looked after very well, monthly blood tests, I personally, have onkly seen good in going on Enbrel, as MTX alone didnt work for me at all, so many corrective surgeries, anyway, altho I still have pain, i beleive the Enbrel is helping reduce further damage to my body....so good luck if U do go on Enbrel, I dont think its any more severe that MTX.......anyone know, I havnt even asked the question b4 lol...wasnt bothered in knowing, all i want is a decent pain free life, not always like that sadly, and some of this disease, the Tabs and Injections wont touch it, cos its a trade off, less joint damage, but feel like Poo! My rhummy said anyone on MTX will always feel 'A bit off it'.....tiredness and sicky is sadly part of the deal! having said that, the disease itselves makes us fatigued, unwell,...... Ive now accepted over many years that I will never be the same as b4....just live with the meds....tc Jill
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Date: 06.04.2010
From: jill

Subject: Re: Sulfasalazine -v- Methotrexate

Hi Abbie, looks like u might be heading towards the Anti tnf meds...but if u do, dont be worried, ive had good experience being on Enbrel....dont get me wrong, I have other health probs taht affect my body, if I didnt have the other issues, I know I wld be soooooooo much better than now.....they look after us so well....MTX and Enbrel work well together, reduces swellings, swollen joints, most ppl that r on the combined meds, works so well for them, havnt heard a bad word against it! I had no choice but take these rotten toxic meds to begin with, rather have them than More joint damage....tc Jill
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Date: 06.04.2010
From: Louise

Subject: Re: Sulfasalazine -v- Methotrexate

Hello Toots,
In answer to your question - I do take hydroxy. and sulfa.
To be honest the hydroxy didn't do much to ease my symptoms when I took it on it's own. I did not have any major side effects with it either. I think it provides a good reliable treatment combination with either/or both sulpha and mtx.
I'm really lucky as I seem to be fairly tolerant to my meds, despite the high doses. I know some people cannot cope with the side effects or do not feel able to give their bodies time to adjust to the meds. Personally I have found that they can take months to fully kick in and months for your body to adjust. Sometimes I think that we need the patience of a Saint and a stomach made of steel to be able to cope!!!!!!!!!!
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Date: 06.04.2010
From: jill

Subject: Re: Sulfasalazine -v- Methotrexate

Hi Louise , I tottally agree with u, it is all down to how strong our stomachs r! Ive always had what I call a strong stomach, However, what I do want everyone in the forum to know is, make sure u eat, even if u dont feel like it, especially if U r taking the strong stuff......After a man crashed into me on 12th jan, felt so Dizzzy and sick, was terrrible, couldnt eat much,stumbling etc......anyway becos I didnt eat much, but still taking my rotten meds, Ive ended up with Gastritis( lining of stomach inflamed) however, as Ive put in a claim for whiplash etc, saw a private doc(the norm) and I mentioned about being in hosp etc with Gastritis, he told me taht it can happen from shock, stress etc.......so he did also say, by not eating, it cld well affect the lining of the stomach.....make sure ya eat well guys xx
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Date: 07.04.2010
From: Tracey (fed up of being knackered!)

Subject: Re: Sulfasalazine -v- Methotrexate

Hi all. Hope you all ok. I went to the Doctor this morning who has agreed to write to the Rheumy to see if I can change meds from Sulfa to Mtx. I explained that I need to find out for myself whether it is the disease or the meds making me feel crap on a daily basis! Having read all your comments it seems like this is probably the best it gets as it is likley to be the disease itself. Anyhoo...got to give it a shot or I will never know! Fingers crossed the Rheumy doesn't disagree! xx
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Date: 08.04.2010
From: jill

Subject: Re: Sulfasalazine -v- Methotrexate

Hi Tracey(fed up of being knackered) just need to know if your the one and the same Tracey that wrote the earlier post about 'DLA and Fradulent claims 'etc ? apologies if you r not.... if ya Not cld u mb after your name write 2, that way we dont get mixed up with other people with the same names, sorry, happens a lot in here, and ppl often shortend their names, or add a number, tht way we all know who is who...thanks
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