Does Sulphasalazine cause foot cramps..?

[Moifoi]

I started Sulphasalazine on Thursday, after seeing the Rheumy nurse and having a blessed steroid injection (never thought I'd say that before as Ive always been dead anti drugs) which has helped me move around a lot better.

I'm on 500mg Sulph. once a day on the evening. Yesterday was my 3rd dose and I felt really pleased that, unlike MTX which made me ill immediately, I didn't have any nausea or other apparent side effects.... Until last night when I began having foot cramps which went on for hours off and on and woke me in the night. I've also had them a few times today. Looking at the booklet I got with the medication it doesn't mention foot cramps as a side effect, but as I have rarely had them before I just wondered if anyone else has had this ?

Regards to all

Moira x

[Hidden]

Hi , I've been taking Sulfa now for a year and am taking 3 in the morning and 3 in the evening. I've never had any problem with cramp, or indeed any side effects, so not sure whether your problem is Sulfa related or not. But I hope it resolves itself quickly.

All the best

Carolyn x

[Moifoi in reply to Hidden]

Bless you, thanks. X

[fridayfever]

Hi Moira

I take 3 sulpha in the morning and evening and have been on them for just over 12 months and suffer with foot cramps and like yourself always wondered if they were the cause, but I do suffer with ra in foot and ankles too. Have mentioned it to the rheumy but have never come back with an answer.

I will see if you get any further answers with others suffering the same xx

[Moifoi]

Thanks for that, I'm curious to see if anyone else has it too. X

[Hidden]

I suffer with bl**dy awful foot & leg cramps, usually at night. They started about 4 years ago before my RA was diagnosed but looking back I think I probably did have the disease then.

Since starting Methotrexate the cramp has got worse at times. If I add alcohol into the mix - anything more than a couple of glasses of wine - then I'm likely to spend the whole night either fending off cramp or dealing with nasty spasms. I started taking Sulphasalazine as well as Methotexate just over 3 months ago and the cramp has been much the same for most of that time.

However, last night I drank a bottle of wine (I know I shouldn't & usually I don't) and ..... no cramp, well hardly any. The only thing that has changed is that in the last six weeks my ESR has gone down from it's usual perch somewhere between 40 - 80 to 12.

For me anyway I think cramp is related to inflammation. I know I must mention it to my rheumy but it keeps getting pushed to the bottom of a very long list!

Luce xx

[Moifoi in reply to Hidden]

It is mainly at night woolly, same last night, but although I have had them before rarely, this seems to be a daily occurrence since starting the Sulph. It's more of a nuisance than anything I'm quite good with pain, it's just the having to get out of bed at midnight and dance around (as well as any of us with RA CAN dance around )

Hey ho, just put it down to another medical mystery eh . Xx

[Hidden in reply to Moifoi]

Every now & then I read something that makes me think I should flag this up with my rheumy (i.e. something that suggests it might just be a serious symptom rather than 'just cramp'). I've had it night after night, too. I see rheumy on Wednesday so if he has anything to say about it I'll get back to you. x

[cathie]

Try Indian tonic water, the quinine is supposed to help cramps according to my GP nurse

[Moifoi]

Oh yes, I've heard that Cathie and I may well try it unless it subsides. Thank you x

[Moifoi]

I drink loads of tea made with water, is that the same?

[2plus2]

I have been prescribed Quinine tablets from the Gp, brilliant not had any Cramp since and I used to be up several times a night with cramp in toes, feet and calfs. Out of all the meds I take this is one that I feel is actually working!

[Sharon56]

I am on Sulphasalazine and Methotrexate and have frequent cramps at night in my feet and legs. Not every night though thank god. Hope you soon find something to help you.

[Hidden]

I wonder if Hydroxychloroquine works like Quinine. I am on Hydroxy plus Sulfa plus MTX and don't get any cramps. Touch wood!

[VictoriaAnn]

I know this was 6 months ago but i'm 21 and i've just started on Sulfa.. maybe been on it for just under a month now and i have really bad foot cramps (mainly at night) and it stops me from getting comfy. Last night i put a pair of socks on and i managed to sleep but this has been happening for a few nights now! Luckily i'm with the rheumy nurse next week so i'm definitely going to mention this!

[kikiw]

I've had leg cramps as well (now on Sulfazalazine for 7 weeks or so). But seem to go away quickly.

[Hopeful1]

I suffered a lot of cramps, even before RA and was recommended magnesium supplement (which I continue to take with Dr approval). they have done the trick.

[Twitty999]

I’ve been taking 4 x 500mg daily for 4 weeks now with no issues with cramp or side effects..thank goodness, tho I’m still waiting for them to work 🙄