New meds being added to Pred

[Theziggy]

The Rheumy has contacted my GP recommending that Sulfasazaline and Hydrocycloroquine be added to my Pred (currently tapering to 7 mg - lowest I have every gotten, though flare in both thumbs and shoulders after doing a tiny piece of strimming yesterday!!! ) after blood tests - next Thursday.

Any advice about these meds would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Stay Safe Everybody

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Any idea why he has waited until now to add them? I've never used either - you will probably get more info about the drugs themselves at NRAS or lupus forums,

[Theziggy in reply to PMRpro]

I haven't a clue why they are being added

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Theziggy]

I now refuse to add anything without a good discussion and enlightenment as to why. They tried to smuggle a statin in when I was in hospital - in less than 2 weeks I was considering a wheelchair! I had spotted it and expressed my reservations but was assured they would monitor it closely. They didn't - though to be fair they didn't have much time!!!!

[Pisco]

Be super careful with both Sulfasalazine and Hydro..... Both are SERIOUS medications that will have serious side effects as well. Do research both! Been there.

[Theziggy in reply to Pisco]

Sounds scary

[MrsNails]

Hi Ziggy

Has the Consultant given you any reason to add two DAMARDS now when you are 7mg? I’ve never taken either but have been Leaflets on them to study when they stopped the MTX both drugs are mentioned below

nhs.uk/conditions/rheumatoi...

Hope you are doing OK in general?

Best Wishes

MrsN

[Theziggy in reply to MrsNails]

No reason. the Rheumy nurse phoned me when I was in company to tell me that the Rheumy had decided to add the meds, and then she sent me out leaflets about each drug.

Am experiencing quite a major flare at the moment too, it has visited quite a few of my joints so far, sometimes more than one at a time.

[MrsNails in reply to Theziggy]

Good Luck 🍀 keep us in the loop x

[PMR2011]

I was on Hydroxy for nearly 2 years as adjunct to Pred. Started it 4 years into my Pred journey. Never had any trouble with it at all. Did have eyes checked every 6 months while on it. Dose is much lower than Malaria dosing so less likely to get side effects you read on the insert. I was able to taper Pred to 2-3 mg while on it. Then in consult with rheumie stopped it as uncertain it was having much effect. That’s when I got GCA! Guess it was doing something!!