Sulphasalazine

[gailyb]

Hi I've started taking sulphasalazine 2 weeks ago and just increased my dose. Is it me or has anyone had problems with their tummy. Mine feels swollen and aches 30 mins after taking the sulphasalazine. I'm taking omeprazole and other demards. Any advice would be much appreciated .

[SoulmanPaul]

Hi gailyb

Tell me about it! I was fine for a couple of months but started to have gastro issues...terrible bloating and flatulence along with the urgent need for the toilet. I'm not one to give up so persevered for a number of weeks in the hope things would improve. They didn't and I remember the day I decided to stop taking it...my belly was really bloated and I felt like I was going to explode! Many people have side effects which calm down and they do well on Sulfa so I'm not suggesting you stop taking it. Speak to your Rheumy nurse...they usually suggest reducing your dose to see how things go.

Paul

[gailyb in reply to SoulmanPaul]

Thank you so much for your advice. I'm seeing my rheumy nurse on the 20th this month. I have same symptoms as yourself. Bad enough taking all the other meds but these are horrible.

[Sammicat15]

I took it for a year many years ago. Thankfully apart from bloating, I had no side effects. But then neither did it do anything for me medically, so I came off it.

[MandaJaneP]

I just couldn't get used to it, and as I'm an out and proud quitter I gave up. Next on the list was Methotrexate, which I've been taking to good effect for a few months. At least there are several possible meds you can try - so fingers crossed (which I can now do!) there will be one that works for you.

[HevJ]

I was ok for the first 2 weeks. The third I was suffering tummy issues then a rash appeared all over my body. They took me off as soon as it happened.

I believe it works well well for a lot of people. You just have to get through the build up stage to your correct dosage.

Good luck

[dbestdeb]

Make sure you are taking it during your meal, not before and not after—during. The exact words of my rheumatologist and I never had any problems.

[gailyb in reply to dbestdeb]

Thank you for your reply. That's really helpful.

[ellilu58]

I didn't make it to three weeks without having to give it up. I've never felt so ill in my life and the RA was shocking too. I got every side effect going. Awful drug. Glad you're seeing your nurse soon. My rheumatologist messed about with me for three years trying Dmards that I couldn't tolerate. She left and my new one put me on Biologics almost immediately and they've been a godsend. Try and push for the biologics when you see your nurse. Good luck x

[gailyb in reply to ellilu58]

Thank you so much for your reply.