Sulfasalazine hands shaking

[Sharonbernt]

Has anyone had problems with their hands shaking on Sulfasalazine ?

[Philip]

That's the drink lol.

[Sharonbernt in reply to Philip]

Haha haven't drunk a drop for years.

[Philip in reply to Sharonbernt]

My point exactly

[Philip]

Lol, I'm on Silva but it hits us all in different way, unless it's me that's got the problem haha.

[Philip]

Sulfasalazine

[Hidden]

Yes I had an awful tremor whilst taking sulfasalazine. My heart also felt like it would explode out of my chest! I was allergic to it.

Are you OK otherwise?

[Sharonbernt in reply to Hidden]

That's exactly how I have been feeling was put on steroids as they thought I was in a flare, the only way I can describe it is if someone makes you jump and you get an adrenaline rush after it is constantly there and my hands are shaking constantly .

[Sharonbernt in reply to Hidden]

How long was you in it for ?

[Moomin8]

Not me 🤔

[Hidden]

Hi Sharonbernt

I started it in May. Also had depot steroid to keep me going until the sulfa kicked in. Did the usual starting slowly with it. Started to feel awful week two.

Went to doc with a cough, tremor, really fast pulse and thudding heart. Was given antibiotics as they thought I had infection. Things got worse! My mood deteriorated drastically and I was in agonising pain. The pain was worse than the disease£(like being stabbed with hot needles).

Then my inflammatory markers went up. I was given another steroid shot and told a to increase sulfa to two three times a day. That night I thought I was dying! I had a fever too.

Next day I rang rheumatology. The doc who answered told me she didn't have a magic wand!

I eventually realised myself that it was the drug. I stopped taking it and within days the agonising pain and thudding heart rated diminished.

I sent a yellow card, and my GP was contacted. It is now listed in my notes as dangerous for me to take.

Some folks do really well on it. If you have any of the symptoms I describe see your doc asap.

[Sharonbernt in reply to Hidden]

I have been on it for five months didn't really have any side effects until recently but I have read up on it and my symptoms can kick in around two to six months the tip of my nose keeps tingling as well and my joint pain has got worse but my inflammation bloods are fine I am waiting to hear back from Rheumy Consultant left him a message on Thursday thinking of stopping the meds and see what happens.

[Sharonbernt in reply to Hidden]

I am also on beta blockers as I have Sinus Tachycardia ( fast heartbeat) so this maybe why my heart isn't racing

[Kateg23 in reply to Hidden]

Hello! Not sure if you’ll see this. I’m experiencing everything you’ve stated. Been on Sulfasalazine for 3 months and all of these side effects hit. Full body tremors that I’m still not convinced they weren’t seizures. Electric stocks up my spine. Feeling like I was being poked all over with hot needles. Numbness and tingling in both calves. Some blood reaction where my skin would get very red and blotchy. This is just a few.

Please assure me now that I stopped the drug, everything will go back to normal?

[Knip in reply to Kateg23]

I was just searching for full body tremors when taking sulfasalazine. I experienced this twice during the night...My body wasn't hot so it wasn't down to an infection. I have been experiencing a widespread rash on my back with large red blotches with a white centre which feel like oven burns and are very painful. Earlier on in the treatment I had shaking hands and I was feeling really nervous even when doing simple things that didn't bother me. I hope that your issues were resolved. Best wishes.

[AllyWelshDragon]

Been on it 5 years, been okay so far but had to introduce mtx 5 months ago. Not had any side effects from either, touch wood!

Ally x

[Sunflower62]

Funny I should see this this morning I have had a lot of trouble with my hands shaking at the moment I had trouble to eat yesterday kinda hard to get from plate to mouth. I thought is was my GABAPENTIN though, this is the only drug for my RA so I am at a bit of a loss what to do if I can't take this.. A lot of the drugs cause pins and needles in some and I am the some! So can't take any biological drug! My shaking is quite bad though so wonder if it is the drug

[Sharonbernt in reply to Sunflower62]

Hand tremors is one of the side effects of gabapentin best to talk to the professionals

[Hidden]

I had a load of agonising nerve pain on sulfa. My toes also went numb!

I hope things work out for you Sharonbernt I swapped to leflunomide and seem OK, apart from a stomach ache for a while, and exhaustion!

Sorry Sunflower 🌻 I've never taken gabapentim, but have taken other drugs in the same class. I have taken Valproate and carbamazepine. Both gave me a tremor and nerve pain. There might be something you can take to stop the tremor, if this is the only drug you can take?

[Sharonbernt in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Nettiec I have had Leflunomide and it was really bad on my stomach say no more.