Starting sulfasalazine

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hi was at hospital today and been put on the drug sulfasalazine dont start them until wednesday i was diagnised with RA last september in my hands and wrists i now have it in ankles and knees...i started on 15mg of MTX now on 20mg was also on hydroxy but they never agreed with me i have to start on low dosage of sulfasalazine to build myself up to take 6 tablets a day of these just like to ask anyone on these drugs or has been have they helped was told ur pee can be orange and yellow tears something in the drug causes this...glad to hear from anyone

2

Hi Bob

I was on Sulphazalsine for 2 weeks and they began to work.  Was starting to feel really good.  Unfortunately, I developed a rash all over my body , a headache like i'd never had before, fever and couldn't even get out of bed.  Ended up in hospital.  But that was me.  Hopefully they will work for you and you won't get a reaction, but be aware of any changes that you feel and don't just pass them off as something else - seek advice immediately if you feel something is up.  Good Luck, hope they work for you.

3

Hi,

ive been on sulfasalazine for 4 months now, and yes your pee does turn colour to bright yellows orange.  The other symptoms I have are a heavy feeling through my stomach and have an upset stomach most days. I take 2 in the morning and 2 in the evening. I also take 25 mg methotrexate and folic acid twice a week. I take the odd pain killer. You have to have a low dosage to begin with to let your body get used to it, if you don't then the nausea is not nice at all. It really helps with the RA pain but really upsets my insides but it does work differently for everyone. Good luck 

4

hi bob ive been on sulfallsalzine for a long time had no problem with it so far only sends your pee yellow but its helping me yes I take 6 tablets but im intolerence to.lacctos that coats tablets so ive foung 3 tablets in a morning and 3 at night I find it better did have a problem when first took it but that was due lactose problem hope it helps you

5

Hi Bob, Ihave been taking 2000 mg a day of sulphasalazine for about 2 months. I also take 20 mg methotrexate a week and 11 mg prednisone but am slowly reducing this.  Since taking the sulphasalazine and 15 mg prednisone, my pain in hands, wrists and feet has reduced. As I reduce the pred it will be interesting to see if the situation remains the same. I get a little nausea and loss of appetite with the sulphasalazine.

6

Been on 2 gram a day for years and no problems so far.

7

Thanks anna emma chrissie murry and light for ur input will give them a go see how i fair with them but was told if a rash does appear i have to stop them at once thanks again guys..

8

hello bob

i am also on these pills  i have been for 7 weeks now  i did have a rash got it checked out by doctor and the problem is i have been going to the skin clinic for 23 years my skin is sun damaged i have felt sick and dizzy on week 2  but that  has stopped now  yes your pee will change and tears go onto google and look it up  but i still get  some pain good luck carol

9

Thanks carol if they dont agree with me am stoppin them at once would rather give hydroxy another go again as i was on they ones first but got headaches on them but i should have gave them more time to work..dont really like wot am reading about sulfasalazine so far and i know certain pills effect every person different but i know the luck i have they will effect me lol cheers carol

10

Bob  i have not had anything else yet but on 5th jan i got a steriod injection that gave me a bad headache atthe moment my wrists knees andankles are painful it maybe cold damp weather so sulfasalazine  is not helping me there but i have had some good days at the moment i am on antibiotics  for a sinus  infection i have never hhad one before carol

11

Hi carol i got a steriod injection yesterday at hospital and since i got it all i have had is pain down back of left leg its my hands wrists and ankles much like urself that are sore..these medications we get to try there bloody more side effects and can be worse at time than having RA i will try these pills first sign of rash or blinding headaches there stopped would rather give hydroxy another go if thats the case..

12

well just try you cant do anymore  RA is one of the worst things we can get and there is no cure 

13

Hi carol no vure but drug they give you sirpose slow it when first had sulfalsalzine no appretite fine know I had sendtive skin coulddnt where make moisturizer but since taking sulfalsalinze my skin is normal no sensitivity at all everyone different wish was a cure

14

bob do you have back trouble sciatica cos that goes down the back of your leg and ive found out today I have RA in my spine I new I had osteo at bottom of spine now I got that what will be next have you ask rheumatologist ir gp see if you siactica or disc problem can ciurse pain down back of the leg does it go down to ankle

15

Hi chrissie yes i have chronic back pain in my back since my 20s have had discs removed funny enough i was seeing someone at hospital yesterday i have a fracture in middle of back and asked if i could be RA also was told no cos no imflamation showed up on mri scan i got done...but gettin injection yesterday chrissie has brought my pain on just seems one thing after another with me at moment..

16

I have fractured spine lumbar spine rods screws plates and discs was damaged clad its not Ra in spine so it might be the fracture not healed yet hope get sorted bob good luck

17

Hi Bob,

I've been on Sulphasalazine for over a year now and they work well for me.

I started with 1 tablet in the morning in week 1. 1 in the morning & 1 at night in week 2. 2 in the morning & 1 at night for in week 3 and I now take 2 in the morning and 2 at night ( I wasn't aware you could take more than 2g per day).  It's the Sulpher in the drug that turns your pee illuminous and that hasn't gone away for me.  I had the same colour tears for the first few weeks but they are back to normal now.

Best of luck.

18

Thanks victoria can i ask have you ever came out in a rash taking these tabs over the year as they ones have the common side effects

19

I did have a pretty bad rash a couple of months ago but I put it down to a heat rash. With antihistamines and calamine lotion the rash was gone within a few days so I never stopped using sulfasalazine and I've been totally fine since.  I think it's just a case of try it and see.

20

hiya, i started on sulfasalazine and after my 4th week of takin 2 in a morning and 2 in an afternoon i developed some kind of blood spot rash, the same as i get when i am in the sun too long. i was advised to stop but didnt want to as they was already working and didnt want to take methotrexate! did anyone else who developed a rash carry on takin them and it go? iv stopped now and have to wait till it goes and try restart from 1 tablet a day again 😞.