sulfasalazine,

[Summerrental]

Has anyone used sulfasalazine, as a steroid sparer. My Rheumy wants me to try to reduce from 10 mg pred.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

How long have you been on pred? What have you reduced from and how long did it take?

It isn't one of the usual offers as a steroid sparer - personally I'd want some back up to his beliefs.

[MrsNails]

Like PMRpro l’d like some more background - time on Pred & current dose.

[Summerrental in reply to MrsNails]

Started on 20 mg pred in May of 2018, down to 10 mg, still have some pain & can't get lower. Have gotten as low as 8 mg but then flared. She said I should have been off of Pred. PMR should only last for 24 months. I told her PMR website states burns out in 5.9 yrs.

[Longtimer in reply to Summerrental]

Good for you stating one of the facts nearer the truth!...

My sister is on Sulfasalazine but she has Rheumatoid Arthritis... Didn't know it was prescribed for PMR....

[MrsNails in reply to Summerrental]

Hi - l used to get stuck at 11mg over & over again - it’s very difficult when your working against that idea of a two year burn out - l’ll check in with Pro PMRpro to see if there’s a document you can take with you next time.

Are you trying going down in 0.5mg drops & using a Slow Reduction Taper? As that can be the difference from reducing it not……

I take a Steroid Sparer (MTX) but l was ‘stuck’ at 20mg & it was really impacting on my general health so it was a ‘No Brainer’ they also believe l have something else going on or it’s just a stubborn PMR!

All The Best for 2022 🥂

MrsN

[Summerrental in reply to MrsNails]

I am going to try the .05 mg every 4 - 6 weeks. She had me doing 1 mg every 2 weeks, just did not work for me.

[MrsNails in reply to Summerrental]

That is really impossible - try 0.5mg on a Slow Taper Plan & you’ll find a difference - check out FAQ’s there’s loads of info on Tapering! All The Best x

[piglette in reply to Summerrental]

I think that is your answer. Reducing 2mg a month is way off target. Presumably recommended by someone who does not know much about PMR!! 0.5mg a month has always worked well for me. I am sure you will get on much better if you try that.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Summerrental]

I'm not surprised!!! Why, oh why, do they have to bash on irrespective when it doesn't work? Do they never wonder if there is another way? Consider that not all patients are the same? Downright lack of curiousity ... It does say in the literature that reducing at more than 1mg per month is predictive of relapse.