MTX

[marvalusxoxo]

Well it seemed that mtx was not suitable for me I suppose. By the 5th week, my teeth and mouth were in so much pain that I wasn't even able to eat and not to mention the hair loss was great and stomach pain. So my rheumatologist decided to change my treatment to sulfasalazine. Any thoughts on this med from those who are or have been on it? Thank you. It is much appreciated🌷

[Soundofmusic52]

Mine was the opposite sulfasalazine was horrible no appetite nausea fatigue lost weight. Methotrexate was my wonder drug just shows how we’re all different stay safe x

[Hidden]

I’m allergic to sulfasalazine but ok with MTX. There is no one drug fits all. You never know this maybe the one for you 🤞don’t know till you try. Good luck

[wishbone in reply to Hidden]

Keep your eyes open for any sort of rash never mind how insignificant it seems. . I informed rheumy about what seemed a minor rash and was told to stop taking sulfa immediately.

Hope it works for you.

[wishbone in reply to wishbone]

Oops!...just changed the above to "insignificant"

[Boxerlady]

I added Sulfasalazine to Methotrexate and Hydroxchloroquine about 6 weeks ago and it's been great. Slight nausia initially but no other problems and have seen improvements already - hopefully it will be good for you too.

[marvalusxoxo in reply to Boxerlady]

Thank you for replying. My rheumy said he would start me on a low dose of the sulfasalazine that is then the dose would be increased slowly.

[Boxerlady in reply to marvalusxoxo]

Yes, I think that's the usual process - 1 tablet a day for a week and then increase by 1 tablet weekly until up to 4 a day.

I had the nausia for a couple of days following each dose increase but it settled down each time. I take them straight after breakfast and tea with plenty of water.

Oh, and it gives you impressively yellow wee! 💛😂

[marvalusxoxo in reply to Boxerlady]

Lol yes it does😂. I am up to 2 a day..I got a bit itchy but it went away. I have since developed a rash on my ring finger. I called the rheumatologist but they didn't get back to me not yet and it won't be probably until Tuesday since this is a holiday weekend here in America.

[Summerrain14]

I started with Sulfasalazine first and have recently just had MXT added. I have experience mild side effects with both which settled. Hopefully the sulphasalzine will work for you too with no side effects 🤞🏻

[Ruth12345]

I was the same as Boxerlady over two years ago and generally all ok with tripple therapy.

All the best.

[Brushwork]

Sulfasalazine didn't cause me any side effects, it was just not effective.

But... we are all different and have to give it all a try, it might be brilliant for you.

[nomoreheels]

As you'll have gathered from MTX & now from those who are on or have been on SSZ, no one experience is the same, neither will yours be. You may get on really well with it, I hope so anyway. I never like giving a negative reply but, I stayed on SSZ too long. It was prescribed as double therapy alongside MTX & I gave it a good go but it just wasn't for me, I became very low on it. At the time my Rheumy was on extended leave & nobody would take responsibility for me coming off it but eventually months later I did & it was like I’d come out of a cloud. I then started leflunomide, alongside MTX.

With SSZ the most reported issues we seem to have here are allergic reactions. It's made of two components, salicylic acid (the active ingredient in aspirin) & sulfapyridine (a sulfanilamide antibiotic) so if you know you have a sensitivity to either you'd be best reporting it. Hopefully not though & you'll respond well.

[marvalusxoxo in reply to nomoreheels]

Well..so far , tho on a low dose sulfasalazine, I don't see relief of pain or inflammation yet I do desire to give it a full term try that is at least 2 months. You are right, we all respond differently to medication as well as how RA progresses on us.

[nomoreheels in reply to marvalusxoxo]

I might even give it a little longer given, in common with other DMARDs, it can take 12 weeks, sometimes more, to be fully effective, if it's going to be at all. This is assuming you give meds the same amount of time to work there as we do here. Also, as is usual with SSZ, we start on a low dose & increase it over the weeks to reach the effective personal dose so it stands to reason that it's a slower build up when compared with others. I hope that you find it helps.

[marvalusxoxo in reply to nomoreheels]

It does make sense what you are saying. I will give it a longer time indeed.