Symptom control and Sulfasalazine

[toramm1]

Posting for my husband who has had RA for 12 years. After a bad couple of years initially, symptoms have been well managed by Sulfasalazine for around 10 yrs (with occasional manageable flares). A careful diet and keeping very fit and active also seem to help. A couple of weeks ago a major flare began, affecting various joints but mainly his legs, which are now so severely swollen and painful he can barely walk. Whilst he waits to see his rheumatologist.....

Does anyone have experience of a sudden worsening of symptoms long-term Sulfasalazine treatment, and if so was a change in medication useful?

Also, any experiences of diet or other lifestyle changes that have helped to manage symptoms would be good to hear. He’s a super-fit cyclist, has no alcohol and doesn’t eat dairy or yeast (which he found were a definite problem for him).

Thanks 🙏

[helixhelix]

Has he been to see or talked to his GP? And when you say swollen legs do you mean the joints or the fleshy bits? As could be something else like cellulitis (as poor holly-willow on next post) or a DVT. It’s easy for us to think that the RA is responsible for everything, bit sometimes it’s not - so see if you can get a medical person to look at it as sounds horrid.

[toramm1 in reply to helixhelix]

Thanks. Flare started with painful swollen joints (knees and elbows), and as it’s worsened fluid has built up around the joint and now down his legs. GP not been involved in his care with these issues but may be worth trying whilst waiting to see specialist.

[Mistress]

Sorry but I haven't experienced any problems with Sulphasine, just a very few minor flares.I wish I could help more sounds like he's in a bad way, hassle the rheumatolgist until you get a response they must have emergency cover, mayby you could send some photos to your rheumy secretary at the hospital so they can see whats happening or short cut through your doctors they should be able to contact your rheumy for you.

Good luck I hope you get through to them somehow sounds like you need it missy