Hi! What can I expect with Sulphalazine?

[FEARN2261]

Hi! Had my first Rheumy appointment today & was told I definitely have Inflammatory Arthritis (either Ra or PsA),& was given a prescription of Sulphalazine & told the treatment for both conditions is the same. I just wondered what to expect from this drug? Thanks!x

[helixhelix]

Orange pee! But more seriously it's one of the drugs I take and it doesn't cause me any problems.For the first few weeks I had some headaches and a slightly upset stomach but these wore off and it's been fine since (apart from the orange effect...). But it does take a long time to take effect so you won't feel any benefits for a while. Polly

[Hidden]

Hi and welcome. Polly you have me baffled re the orange peel?! Fearn you might find Feather's recent blog (go to blogs and scroll to page 2) "Discombobulated" an interesting read re PsA or RA. Good luck with the sulpha. I personally couldn't hack it but each of us responds differently to different DMARDs and its worth knowing there are plenty more to try if this one isn't to your liking or doesn't work on your inflammatory arthritis. They are not both effectively treated with the same drugs exactly so I've learned. PsA is not as well controlled with DMARDs as RA sometimes is so your rheumy will probably use your inflammatory markers (ESR and CRP) to guide him or her as to whether or not the disease is still active for you or opt for something more geared towards tacking PsA if not. Out of interest do you have psoriasis as well? If so then that may make the diagnosis more straightforward for you. Tilda

[helixhelix in reply to Hidden]

Pee..not peel, ie urine. bright orange and rather alarming if not forewarned and you are one of the people that get this charming side effect. And apparently for men other things are also rather orange... Px

[Hidden]

Wow - that's some drug really isn't it? I do recall being amazed by how discreet the MTX tablets were in comparison six months later when I started them! But mine was lemon peel not orange peel - and it was fluorescent! Maybe women go orange or yellow in other areas but we'd never really know would we (help I'm getting into dodgy territory now!). Sorry Fearm not trying to freak you out - its only coloured pee I promise - nothing sinister TX

[FEARN2261]

Thankyou for the replies! She said I have 'slight psoriosis'. But my bloods weren't too bad. Thing is years ago my gp said I had Ra & that you didn't need the markers,yesterday she just said it didn't really matter if bloods showed anything with my history (mum has Ra) it was obvious something was going on? Hopefully picking meds up from my gp today so I'll look out for orange pee!x

[Hidden]

Hi, I take Sulfa along with Hydroxy and to be honest compared to MTX I've noticed no remarkable side effects to date, apart from a slight queasiness on occasions. Yes the yellow pee first thing is a noticeable side effect. I'm taking 5 a day at the moment and hopefully will be able to up the dose to 6 soon.

All the best

Carolyn

[Hidden]

I've been on Sulfasalazine for about 15 years and it has been brilliant for me. But yes, your pee will be yellower.

More recently Hydroxy was added, and that took a while to become accustomed to.

Then MTX, ... has caused more trouble than anything else!

So I hope the Sulfa works well for you.

I believe I had to start off with a low dose and gradually increase it.

Good luck.

[nellysgran]

Hi I've been on Sulfasalazine for a while now and yes yellow pee,and a bit queezy for the first couple of weeks but they work for me, as well as MTX, now. I am starting to feel a bit more normal again. ( if thats possible!)

Hope the Sulfa works well for you.

Good luck Wendy x

[Kathyfitz12]

I started off on Sulphasalazine & I was told it take 12 weeks to kick in so I persevered -but felt really sick all the time and the only good thing was I lost a lot of weight as I just couldn't eat - then after the 12 weeks blood tests showed it hadn't worked! But don't despair - I them went

on MTX and it was a wonder drug for me - so relax and I hope the Salzn works for you.