Sulfasalazine for osteoarthritis

[Weebell]

Hi recently diagnosed with osteoarthritis I have ulcerated colitis aswell rheumatology wants to start me on Sulfasalazine next week any advice on This meds would be great x

[helixhelix]

The sulphasalazine is for the ulcerative colitis. It does nothing for osteoarthritis.

I was on it for about 8 years, and it worked well on my inflammatory condition. The first few months I had a very excitable stomach, but that calmed down. So only side effect really was bright yellow pee.

[Weebell in reply to helixhelix]

Thank you for reply Ano that’s what I thought but rheumatology consultant said it can help if I have inflammation in spine this will help also ? It’s so confusing at start isn’t it xx

[helixhelix in reply to Weebell]

It is true that osteoarthritis can cause inflammation as a reaction (rather than being an inflammatory condition). So maybe sulpha would help that too and work on both your problems.....I take anti-inflammatories for my OA.

[Boxerlady]

I'm on it for my RA; that has improved and as a bonus, it seems to have had a good effect on my IBS so hopefully it will work well for you too.I had some nausia initially with each dose increase but it passed after a few days and now just have the dramatically yellow wee 😂

[Weebell]

Hi thanks for reply my gastro consultant was wanting to change my pain relief co dydramol for acroxia to help with pain and inflammation keep me on asacol and azathioprineBut rheumatology said no stay on co dydramol come off asacol to start Sulfasalazine for any inflammation in my spine it’s so confusing x

[Nuttyshirlz]

Hi I’m also on it and it doesn’t help think it did at start but I’m also on methx for my Ra

[Weebell in reply to Nuttyshirlz]

Thank you for reply I’m just about to start it hopefully with limited side effects I’m trying to get back to work but every time I try there is something else stay well thanks again

[Knip]

I have Chron's and Rheumatoid Arthritis and it helped me on both counts. Sadly I developed a bad rash which meant I had to stop it and switch drugs. I hope it helps you because it's a good drug for ulcerative colitis, so it's certainly worth a try. Hope you get a good response from it.

[Weebell in reply to Knip]

Hiya thank you I’m confused as colitis is very stable just now it’s my back that’s giving me problems for months I’ll most likely try it but results can take a while 3 months so maybe that’s why he has taken me off my pain meds thanks

[Weebell in reply to Knip]

Hi thanks for reply Ano Gp thought it was strange to change as my colitis is stable since last Oct ? So we will have to trust rheumatology advice if it doesn’t work I’ll try to arcoxia wait and see again thanks x

[Scottishlad]

Sulphasalazine in addition to the "yellow pee" may increase your sensitivity to the sun. Take care and use higher SPF than you have used in the past. This applies in UK as well as abroad!

[Weebell in reply to Scottishlad]

Thank you for reply I’m going to start new med this Thursday hopefully will help with inflammation in my back once it titrates up stay well thank you

[Thebill21]

Hi WeebellI've been on Sulfasalazine for a long time & haven't had any bad side effects. However, I know it can be prescribed for other conditions. When I originally started this it was a gradual increase & I had regular blood tests. I've not had any problems but, as I have Rheumatoid Arthritis it doesn't stop me having an RA flare up. In these situations I have a steriod injection in my buttock.

Over the last year I've been diagnosed with a heart condition & have been prescribed other medications which don't react to the Sulfasazine which is good news. I've heard from other people on Sulfasalazine that it doesn't seem to cause problems with other medications which is very comforting to know. One bit of info is fluorescent wee! Nothing to worry about!

I hope that the info I've given will be helpful to you.

Good luck. Take care & keep safe.

[Weebell in reply to Thebill21]

Thank you for reply and your advice spoke with Gp today who he spoke to another Gp about my meds they both thought it was strange to take me off asacol for my bowels when they are settled to start me on Sulfasalazine which is basically the same as asacol ? Anyway long and short of it I’m going to try Sulfasalazine and see what happens hopefully it will maybe dampen down inflammation in my back fingers crossed it’s just a mine field hopefully I’ve made right decision thanks again hope u start well

[nomoreheels in reply to Weebell]

Just a thought, with my sceptical head on, maybe they've changed your Asacol (mesalazine) to sulfasalazine due to cost. SSZ is considerably less expensive than mesalazine & if it works equally well that could have some bearing on the change perhaps, if they've been asked to tighten their prescribing budget belts. As I say, just a thought.

I'm not sure any DMARDs are prescribed for OA. I do have a niggling feeling one was trialled & so considered an option reasonably recently though I don't think it was SSZ. I'm prescribed an NSAID, a TCA & pain relief for mine, the usual meds.

[Weebell in reply to nomoreheels]

Hiya Ano that had crossed my mind also x I can’t take any nsaid cause of colitis that’s the main issue but gastro had recommend acroxia it’s good for inflammation and pain but rheumatology had said that drug was more unstable to titrate he said Sulfasalazine is 1st for inflammation and wouldn’t upset Coltits My issue is I’ve to come of asacol for Sulfasalazine but it won’t start working for up to 3 months so that gap upset my colitis ? They have different opinions Gp agrees with me but feels we should go with the expert hopefully I’ve made right choice rheumatology haven’t really helped at all since my back went in feb they have only inputted last week when gastro planned to change meds

[Thebill21 in reply to Weebell]

Hi WeebellThank you for your message. I totally agree with you that it's all a minefield with all the medications. All any of us can do is take & trust advice from our Drs etc looking after us & give any medicines they suggest a try as see if they help. Hopefully without any nasty side effects. Hope you get some relief from your pain. Wishing you good luck & best wishes. Take care & keep safe. 😊

[Weebell in reply to Thebill21]

Yes totally agree it’s just a long process when u go from being very independent then struck with the most horrendous pain frustrating process but necessary hopefully light at end of tunnel soon u just want to fast forward sometimes don’t you