at my wits end....

[alisch]

Hi everyone, i am posting in the hope that someone can possibly help me. i have been diagnosed with RA for just shy of 2 years, i started on mtx and hydroxy. I am now taking sulpha and hydroxy. I am suffering terribly at the moment with eczema on my hands, i had it about 10 years ago (thought be brought on by a nickle allergy). My gp says its a reaction to the sulpha, my rheumy says thats rubbish in the meantime i am in suffering with the worst bout of eczema ever, chopping hands off is a seriously considered method of treatment at the moment. Have any of you had any reaction like this to meds??

Sorry for moaning

Ali

x

[Caza]

I'm sorry I can't answer your question but I do wish you better & hope that you find answers soon x

[SaraF]

I dont have any answers, but if that it was me i would stop the sulpha and see what happens, if it clears up or begins to then you have your answer arthritisresearchuk.org/art...

Good Luck x

[Hidden]

Well I did have a horrible and serious reaction to Sulpha that included a terribly itchy and spotty rash that my GP assumed was a kind of eczema but turned out to be part of a bad reaction to sulpha only. So Sulpha can definitely affect the skin.

I also suffered from chronic eczema from the age of 3 to 45 but have been completely clear of it for the past 4 years thank heavens. So I can at least sympathise. If I were you I would ask the GP to refer me to a dermatologist. They would be far better able to distinguish between eczema and psoriasis and also might know whether this was a reaction to Sulpha or not. I suppose, at the end of the day, the only way you will really know is by stopping sulpha and seeing it goes away.

Eczema is a horrible thing I really do know.

Tilda x

[Hidden]

Ali, I had been on sulpha for about a year, and for the past three or four months I suffered dreadful excema on hands as well, I kept thinking it was different soap etc, I was taken off it because the consultant thought it could have been contributing to nausea. But since I have been off it no more itchy hands, I didn't even make the connection until I saw your question.

I had a dreadful itch and rash with leflunomide and it seemed to take forever to get the consultant to agree to take me off it. Eventually I forced the issue which was so stressful but I had the gp's backing. I felt I was turning away a drug that would make me better and wasting everyone's time. I have since got a bit more assertive.

If you are convinced it is the sulpha, go back and force the point with the consultant, why is he so reluctant to consider that it may be the cause and try and get another dmard that is more suitable.

Good luck

[Ronnie63]

Hi Ali

I too had very itchy skin (hands and feet) whilst on sulpha plus other horrible side effects. I decided to stop and told my rheummy why. In my case althought I was on 4 a day the rheummy said it was just fine tuning the other combo of MTX and hydroxy so not sure you'd lose much by stopping or even reducing to see if it helps. Best let them know you're intentions though

Best of luck

[alsmum]

Hi Ali,

don't apologise for moaning!

I had to come off Sulpha within 2 weeks of starting it as I had a severe rash and just couldn't stop itching. My arms came up in little red bumps and my GP agreed it was a reaction to the Sulpha and took me off it. I have been on injectible MTX for the past 4 months and so far so good. I would definitely go back to your GP. Best of luck.

Fi x

[alisch]

thank you all for the replys, does look like it could be the sulpha. I have made an appointment and i will let you know how i get on.

Ali

xx

[Neonkitty]

Sulphasalazine made me have severe urticaria and I always had dry skin since the onset of RA. Thought that was part of it in general that the body and skin are dry?