Anyone get dizzy spells on there medication ?

[Jo090807]

I am in to my 6th week of Sulfasalazine. I had a few dizzy spells the first few weeks, but they have started again. Just managed to get the children to school with Emily holding my hand all the way. Have now come home for a rest, but feeling not quite right. Any ideas ??

[Beth58]

Hi Jo, I apologise now for sounding so Negative but I really worry when people mention Sulphasalazine, I realise I may be the odd one but I really worry when people say this is what they're on. My story while on them below.

I was on Sulphasalazine about 10 years ago, sadly like you I started to feel quite poorly after a few weeks, nothing specific just a feeling something wasn't right and knowing something was wrong with my body. My Dr/nurses kept telling me to keep taking them as it can take a while for the body to get used to them.

This went on for about 10 weeks at the finish I couldn't stand for more than a couple of minutes, had no strength what so ever, couldn't eat and when I did it came straight out the other end. I lost 2 stone in a matter of weeks and spent my time on the sofa as I couldn't get up. My own GP was so worried when he saw me he rang the hospital, they told him the same as they told me.

At the finish I couldn't stand it any more so after having my bloods done I stopped them on a Monday within 3 days I was feeling better and on Friday the monitoring sister rang and told me to stop them as my blood results were not good.

My advice is if your feeling unwell tell them straight away DO NOT wait and struggle on and do not allow them to fob you off, some people can react quite badly to these drugs. I still say today 10 yr later Sulphasalazine nearly killed me.

I wish you well and hope they work for you and my story was a one off,

Good luck

Liz xx

[Mel_]

Hi Jo,

Like you I'm in my early 30's with two children, so with that In mind I understand completly how hard it is to look after your children whilst feeling so rotten. When I first strarted on sulphasalazine I too felt sick, dizzy and lost weight. At first I thought it was great to loose a bit of weight but I went from nearly 9st (post baby blubber!) to just under 8 st and everyone was saying I looked awful (thanks then!) the dizzy spells lasted for about 3-6 months (sorry I know your don't want ot hear that) but then once I got past that I was fine. Obviously as with all medications they effect us all in different ways, so call you RA nurse and have a chat with them. Some side effects are a bit hard to live with but think of the long term benefits. Your weight should sort its self out once your system has had time to get used to what is going on. It's not just the medication, it's the condition and the stress that goes with it that contributes to the weight - all mine went back on as soon as I started Mtx !

Good girl to Emily for looking after you, as soon as the children go to bed tonight that's your time to put your feet up too, so do it - trust me everything else can wait.

Hope your feeling a bit better soon. Kind regards Mel

[Jo090807 in reply to Mel_]

Thank you for your support Mel. Still feeling a bit dizzy, but hubby now around to help. Not sure what I would do without him !! Jo

[julieporter]

Hi Jo

I also had to stop taking sulfa a few years ago due to very unpleasant side effects and worrying blood results.

Have you been given a number for a rhuemy nurse? I would definitely give them a ring for some advice.If not contact your GP for advice

Good Luck

Julie

[Jo090807 in reply to julieporter]

Thank you Julie for your support. I am going to ring Rhuemy and docs tomorrow, lets hope all is well then. Jo