Salfasalazine side effect

[Moonstoneo]

Hi guys, just started taking Salfasalazine and quite concerned as I excessively went to the loo until I had no more fluids inside of me, almost like a tap that wouldn’t switch off which left me with a very dry mouth and sore throat which I still have, anyone else had side effects like this.?

[KittyJ]

Maybe you drank more today if you had a dry throat/mouth and that’s why you pee’d more? Talk to your rheumy nurse if you are concerned as they will know if it’s a side effect.

[Moonstoneo in reply to KittyJ]

Hi there, yes I have just waiting for a response.. Ty

[Mandalou]

Keep your eye out for a rash Moonstoneo, Sulfasalazine doesn’t agree with everyone. Mx

[Moonstoneo]

Thanks I will, no rash at the moment.

[helixhelix]

When I started on sulphasalazine it made my stomach very excitable!! The reaction after eating anything was quite fast…accompanied by a lot of wind.

I couldn’t eat or drink anything outside the house for fear of disaster.

Luckily it slowly wore off and settled down completely after about 3 months. And the drug worked fine for years afterwards.

Only you can judge whether this is a side affect you can cope with or not,

[Hidden]

No but be careful - early on I was given Sulfas and woke up to an all over raised red rash from scalp to toes and had to crawl on hands and knees to the bathroom.

[Moonstoneo]

Hi, yes I agree, oh, I did notice I had a lot of wind too.. pleased you have settled into it.. I’ll await to hear back from my consultant and see what he suggests.. ty

[Moonstoneo]

Oh, so sorry, yes I’m aware that it’s a feeling something isn’t right.. especially the amount of fluid loss I had.

[BMCV]

I had the same, dry mouth, nausea, rash, sore throat but the worst was the loss of taste which still isn't fully back. I had to come off it

[Moonstoneo]

Yes, I noticed the metallic taste, not pleasant at all, did they try you on alternative meds ?

[nomoreheels]

Hiya Moonstoneo. It is a common/very common side effect of sulfasalazine I'm afraid, though maybe more likely when first starting it, no different to any other med in that way. I've always thought it's similar to how antibiotics can do the same, & given that an antibiotic is a component of SSZ I think by the same theory it is more likely to have the same effect.

Hopefully your Rheumy nurse will give some reassurance when she returns your call. Meantime be sure to keep your fluid intake up, taking regular sips of cold water or other non-fizzy liquid will ease your dry mouth & maybe the odd honey hot toddy too (without the alcohol) to ease your sore throat. If it's like I was when I first started SSZ it will pass given a little time for your body to get used to it. Inconvenient I know but if you've only just started taking it I think you've a chance it will ease off, rather than having been on it a number of months & having the same symptoms. That would be a different situation entirely. Keep warm & try not to worry too much until you've spoken with your nurse.

[Moonstoneo]

Yes I understand, they think it could be anxiety, he wants me to try again, if it repeats itself to that extreme, then it’ll be discussed further, fingers crossed., I don’t feel it was at it came on unexpectedly but hey I can’t give up to easily, I’ll try again tomorrow now.. 🙂

[nomoreheels in reply to Moonstoneo]

Anxiety could certainly affect you the same way. But we’re you anxious pre RD? I think that would be more telling. He's obviously not wanting you to give SSZ up at the first le hurdle, which I can understand as many of us have reactions to meds intitially but they turn out to work well, once our body gets used to the med & the initial side effects go. I'm sure if they continue options will be considered.

Can I just mention… I didn’t realise you'd responded to me, because you're not using the Reply button I didn’t receive an alert. It was only by seeing & reading Bagpuss’ reply I was aware. A small thing but helpful if you're to receive replies. 😉

[Moonstoneo in reply to nomoreheels]

Hi, Ty, hopefully your get this reply, yes I agree, I won’t no unless I try, yes I was anxious about taking the meds to be honest, they seem in my mind to be on the higher spectrum of side effects.. I’m getting use to the idea of change but that being said I don’t want the flare ups and I don’t want damage done internally.. so I’m not giving up yet.. my sore throat has eased up now, tomorrow I’ll give it another go.. I’ve got an appointment with my consultant on the 10th so I need to no before hand if I’m having reoccurring problems to it.. 😊

[nomoreheels in reply to Moonstoneo]

Yes, I got it! The meds aren't smarties that's for sure, & with that sometimes comes side effects, though we do become a little, I was going to say blasé but that's not really what I mean, I suppose more used to them is what I mean. I think if you have a frank discussion with your Rheumy, be pragmatic, hopefully he'll allay anything you raise. You could try writing a bulletin-point list so your mind & precious appointment time is more organised, if that helps of course, I don't want to assume. Let us know how it goes on the 10th?

[Bagpuss2021]

I never got on with salfazalazine, and asked to change meds. maybe you could try something different aswell. Good luck.

[Moonstoneo in reply to Bagpuss2021]

Hi there, I do have my doubts but I’ll try again and see what happens

[Whezziewhoozie]

Hi, it’s hell to begin with. Had all the same symptoms but have now been on it for three years and all side effects gone. Build up slowly and good luck!

[Moonstoneo in reply to Whezziewhoozie]

That’s great news.

[smilelines]

I am just on one table (500mg) a day so far and I am so thirsty all the time! I can not drink enough. I have started to chew gum to keep my mouth from getting too dar.