Taking sulfasazine

[Josiemoreno]

I just got diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, and my rheumatologist started me on this medication 500 milligrams 2 times a day, but I already have bad anxiety and depression, so I am scared that it's going to make it worse, and I already have brain fog, I took one pill yesterday morning and was too scared to take the second one last night, I don't know if I felt anything too different because, like I said I already have all the above

[helixhelix]

It really doesn't happen to everyone. Many of us take it without problems, but I can imagine how worrying it is for you. Did you discuss this with your rheumatologist as there are other things you could try?

[Rheumagal]

I’m about to start Sulfa myself, tomorrow is the day. I can relate to your feelings. I’m nervous to start. I have liver problems and digestive problems so I haven’t responded well to meds so far, and have had one failed medication after another, but I’m working close with my doctor who is monitoring it all very closely. I love that we’re in this together. It gives me some courage to know I’m not the only one. All the best! Keep us informed of how your doing in the days/weeks to come.

[Frankiefocus]

Hi josie I am prone to bouts of depression and since I started sulfa they have not made me depressed at all...infact they helped my RA alot which made me happier.

[mccaffs2014]

I was very nervous taking sulphasalazine after the side effects I had with methotrexate. I needn't have worried as I felt great with no side effects( only orange urine), unfortunately it has stopped working and I will be moving to humira. I have been taking it for four years. Try not to worry and I hope it works as well for you.

[Kalimera57]

Sorry for the late reply to you. I’ve been on sulphasalazine since December last year. I was very reluctant to go on it but I could barely walk and as I have never driven and love walking I was pretty fed up. I started to feel much better after 6 weeks. It’s changed my life! I’ve been lucky and had no side effects. Your blood is checked every fortnight in the first months so you’ll be able to tell the nurse and dr if you notice you’re more anxious or depressed.

I hope that helps.

[barbieg]

I’ve been on Sulfasalazine for 15yrs and had no side effects at all. I already had Tinitus before I started taking it ,but it didn’t make it worse. I had to stop taking it before Christmas as it had stopped working but I’m told I did well for it to work for so long. Hope this helps .

[woodstar1]

Please read my first posts, medication absolutely scared me to death!!! But, eventually I had to bite the bullet because without it I couldn't move!! After lots of swapping and changing I'm now on 4 X 500 sulfasalazine and hydroxychloroquine plus my supplements. And honestly I'm almost fine, I work in a very challenging job, I exercise at least 5 times a week and I'm doing good. I was on methotrexate, and for most people it's an amazing drug that works, for me it was absolutely awful, it made me physically ill and made me depressed, something that had never happened before. So my advice is give it a go, I'm absolutely sure, you like most will be fine and if not, you swap and change!

Good luck.

Woody.

[AgedCrone in reply to woodstar1]

It was 100% the opposite for me...with SSZ I vomited every day for 3 months....I was told to give it a go for that time & being newly diagnosed I just got on with.

With Mtx it worked practically overnight & gave me my life back!

It just proves you really have to try the drug your rheumy recommends for you, & not hanker after drugs because they suit someone else.

[Leics]

Hi I was on sulfasalzine for sometime and it worked well for a while about a year. It made such a difference to my RA it was much easier to be able to walk and work. It didn’t affect my mental health in any way. I do have problems with my gut though so was taking salozopyrine (sorry probably spelled wrong) this is sulfasalzine but enteric coated so no nausea or gut problems. No medication for RA works straight away it can take up to 12 weeks. Please try not to be anxious about taking the medication it could change your life for the better. I really hope as you start to feel better and the brain fog lifts and you get your life back. It’s totally understandable that you’re worried and anxious but I was unable to have any treatment for about 8 years and being untreated is hell, well it was for me. Try and get some control back and give it a go. Good luck I hope you feel better soon.

[dbestdeb]

I’m also prone to anxiety and depression and at one point I was taking double your dose of sulfasalazine without any problem other than heartburn and sun sensitivity. For me, I consider it to be one of the meds with fewer negative side effects than most others. Best wishes to you.

[Nanna71]

I don't know how you can address this possibility, but sometimes 'mind over matter' can make you feel like the thing you're afraid of. You really should follow the doctor's advice about how and when to take your meds. My experience - I take sulfasalazine enteric coated 2000 per day (plus MTX 15 mgs, plus prednisone 20 mgs, plus folic acid 25 mgs a week) The sulfa was increased from 1000 to 2000 about 4 weeks ago.

I was diagnosed November 2018 so am still not successful finding remission.

Sulfasalazine takes a long time to kick in. I learned that on this site. One or two tablets aren't going to cause much havoc just yet for you if it will at all. Likely, your doctor will do the best he or she can for you so you need to be open and up front about your troubles. They need all the facts.

[Quee]

Hi, I have been taking sulfasalazine for a year an I dont take twice a day I just take in morning. I tried twice a day but really couldn't function. I take xanax twice a day to help with my xienty. I think the sulfasalazine is not bad although I had side affects at first. But I still gave flare ups at any given time especially at night when I try to sleep. Painful episodes that landed me in ER. Good luck. Hang in there. (Quee). But I do believe its helping my RA.

[Anitasmith]

I was in sulfa about year ago, helps great with RA but unfortunately i was experienced depression and insomnia and I stopped the pill because side effects. I was totally different person taking sulfasalazine

[Angels54]

I have increased to 3 it’s been ok , just waiting for some relief from pain , been on it 9 wks . good Luck x

[Angels54]

I have started on Sulfasalazine for 16 wks

I would say it’s not as bad as MTX . good luck