sulfasalazine side effects

[girldoc]

Hi. I am on sulfasalazine for mixed connective tissue disease (similar to rheumatoid arthritis and lupus), which I started taking again after many years of my disease being in remission. I was initially on sulfasalazine 10 years ago and it is a horrid medication. Was, and am again, terribly dizzy and fatigued. Had to go to work but spent my weekends lying on the couch. However, the side effects disappeared completely after 8 months on the medication and I continued to take it an additional 1.5 years feeling completely well. Am now weighing talking to my rheumatologist about switching to another med versus pushing through with this medication again until the side effects again (very hopefully) wear off, because sulfasalazine is probably the safest of the rheumatology meds.

[AnnieJ123]

All medication can have side effects and we all react differently to them. I took it for over 20 years. I developed other issues besides RA . I did not connect them with the medication at the time, but looking back I have my doubts. It is often hard to tell if a symptom is a new problem or related to a medication you are taking.

[girldoc in reply to AnnieJ123]

You are so right. Thank you for responding.

[Blackberrywine]

Only you can make that decision. I had an allergic reaction to it. 8 months is a long wait though!

[AgedCrone]

By all means talk to your rheumatologist..but don’t put ideas into his head.

Instead ask him what he advises… I do know being in the US cost & what your insurance covers, comes into the equation far more than it does over here.

I took SSZ for 3 long months & it was the drug from hell as far as I am concerned , & no way would I have hung on for 8 months… but many on here take it very successfully for years.

So get your rheumy’s opinion & go from there…after all..how many times are you willing to give SSZ a chance?

[girldoc in reply to AgedCrone]

"The drug from hell"! How appropriate! Thanks for your input. I'm counting the seconds to my rheumatology appointment.

[Chockyuk]

I think we all have different reactions to different meds. I was very ill on Hydroxychloraquine for instance.

I’m now on Mthx and Sulfasalazine. Sulfa in particular, for me, has been a game changer, I’m still fatigued, but it’s part and parcel of this disease for some. My iron is low and I have a underactive thyroid, which also doesn’t help. But my RA has improved significantly (fingers crossed) over the past year or so since it’s been introduced, alongside Mthx.

Horses for courses as they say ☺️

I hope you get another med that suits and helps you better 💕

x

[girldoc in reply to Chockyuk]

Thank you. My rheumatology appt is still 2 weeks away but I feel confident that a better drug or drug combination will make help me to feel better.