Sulfasalazine

[Jeff1943]

Hello everyone, I've had rheumatoid arthritis for over 2 years now, until 9 months ago it was well controlled by 20mg of Methatrexate tablets once weekly.More recently I've either had a long flare up or it's worsened so the hospital have switched me to injecting the Mx and increasing it to 22.5mg once weekly. Also some steroid tablets for 6 weeks 15mg daily reducing every two weeks which have worked wonders.

But they also put me on sulfasalazine starting one tablet going up to 4 eventually. I only took one tablet and experienced dreadful diahorea, I'll spare you the details, I know it was the Sz. I may try again after the holiday period but would greatly appreciate hearing about anybody else's experience with Sz and of any of the alternatives to back up the Mx that don't have this unfortunate side effect.

Thank you.

[Madmusiclover]

Well it didn’t suit me but that wasn’t my side effect. Good decision to see how you get on without. Good luck. X

[welsh12 in reply to Madmusiclover]

I feel for you and have read that this is a side effect have not tried it have a enough trouble with stomach issues from mexotrethate for a few days a week but as the wise here say ask what else. Let us know how you get on as sure I will be going down this route of trial and error.

[Jeff1943 in reply to welsh12]

Thanks for that, strange enough I had no bad reactions to the Methotrexate tablets - except hair loss which I think s far more prevalent than they admit.

[AgedCrone]

Don’t be a martyr…..maybe keep trying with the SSZ until you can speak to one of your rheumy team…..but not if the diarrhoea continues seriously.I tried it 20+ years ago. & SSZ seems to be a drug that is Gold for as many as it is the drug from Hell.

I was in the latter group….but went on to eventually settle on the right medication . With DMards it really is a case of try it & see….but don’t fear there are plenty to try.I hope you find “your”drug very soon.

I wish you a Happy and Healthy New Year!

[Jeff1943 in reply to AgedCrone]

Thanks for your advice, no I won't be a martyr.

[helixhelix]

It took me three months to get used to it. I couldn’t eat or drink outside the house due to the excitment of my digestive system 🫢. However Methotrexate alone wasn’t doing enough and I was prepared to do just about anything to get into remission and live my life.

Yes it was a horrible 3 months, but it worked, and continued to work well for 8 years.

[Jeff1943 in reply to helixhelix]

Thank you, not sure I could last 3 months, there are other Dmards but I guess most have the same side effect.

[helixhelix in reply to Jeff1943]

I found each was a bit different, as was on triple therapy of MTX, sulpha and hydroxy.

Give it a go, but if you can’t cope then tell your medical team. We know our own bodies better than they do.

[Bethany02]

Have been on it for years with no visible issues

[Jeff1943 in reply to Bethany02]

Thanks for your positive report.

[Floralqueens]

I take 6 tablets every day, along with my weekly Metoject. It works well for me, but it was a question of managing the meds when they were first introduced. Try and stick with it, they do work. Good Luck

[Jeff1943 in reply to Floralqueens]

Thanks, I will try.

[Jackie1947]

I've been on it 18 years . It's not uncommon for drugs to cause unpleasant side effects when first started.

[Jeff1943 in reply to Jackie1947]

Thanks for that reminder.

[Jackie1947 in reply to Jeff1943]

Reminder of what?

[Jeff1943 in reply to Jackie1947]

That it's not uncommon for drugs to have unpleasant side effects when first started (but wear off in time).

[Haz58]

I take sulfasalazine I've been on it since march and been fine 6 tabs a day. But mtx gave me gastritis, leflunomide gave me terrible diarrhea and hydrochloride didn't suit either, really bad dreams. Everyone is different. From experience try it for a week see if it gets better as it could be a bug you've picked up. But do call your helpline and let them know. I was told you can just stop sulfasalazine and start again to see if it is that causing your symptoms. All the best.

[Jeff1943 in reply to Haz58]

Thanks for your encouragement.

[Hippo1234567]

I had loss of appetite and felt quite sick for a little while but it went and no side effects since then

[Jeff1943 in reply to Hippo1234567]

That's good to know. Thank you.

[Hidden]

All RA meds have side effects. Inflammation from RA is bad too. So it is a case of balance, having regular blood tests and weighing up the best fit. Many of us with RA have gut and gum inflammation. When my gut or gums are bad my RA is bad. I took sulphazalazine for 20 years and had bowel problems which I did not link to the meds. I am now off it and taking benepali. I still have bowel problems d/c/gas/ bloating. We all react differently to different meds and we get flair ups. Sulphazalasine often gives d in the first few months of use but it can also reduce your neutrophil count.It can also cause tinnitus. Benepali has reduced my neutrophils even more. It is a life time balancing, act and as we are all different one size does not fit all. Good luck.

[Jeff1943 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, I was lucky with the Methotrexate tablets, no side effects except hair loss, I'm injecting it now which makes it more effective. Don't think I could put up with d for three months.

[Jeff1943]

Why can't the geniuses at Big Pharma produce medications WITHOUT dreadful side effects for most of the people who take them? Would that be asking too much?

[Jackie1947 in reply to Jeff1943]

We react differently but the body gets used to them. An antibiotic can give me horrible side effects but I persevere

[Teddyboy17]

I was told when I first started sulphasalazine that your body would slowly get use to it and cause less side effects as time went on. Diarrhoea not good though . I found the days I took my methotrexate and sulphasalazine on a Monday my stomach was worse then it evened out again.

Hope you have managed to sort it now.

I’m still on trial really and things not working . Do you find the injectable metho works better than tablets ?

[Jeff1943 in reply to Teddyboy17]

Still early days, phone consultation with Rheumatology tomorrow. No problems with injectable Mx or the steroid tablet 6 week course (which worked like magic but only for so long).My problem is that I have Chondrocalcinitis in my left knee since August, calcium crystals causing swelling and stiffness and pain. Without that I could maybe rebuild strength in my leg muscles, seeing senior rheumatologist on the 12th about it.

I'm 80 by the way so maybe lucky to get this far without major RA problems but want a few more mobile years before moving on.