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Newly Diagnosed - Sulfasalazine

Posted , 3 users are following.

loladmarie
loladmarie

Hello there. Just wanted some advice from you all. I was recently diagnosed after having 6 months of horrible knee pain and right hand swelling. I am one of those seronegative RA patients, and when I discussed medicine with my amazing docotor I knew I wanted to start off "less aggressive" and see if that helps, so I went on Sulfasalazine. This is my second week and have just increased to 2 a day (goal is 4-6) and I am worried about side effects already.

I can find A LOT of information and help on methotrexate but not a lot on sulfasalazine (besides the normal RX webpages). Has anyone been on this before and can anyone share their side effects with me??

Mostly, the lightheadedness is absurd. The nausea was bad the first week, this week is OK but I don't have an appetite and I am exhausted. Any help or friendly advice would be much appreciated!

I am from the states not the UK (eek sorry smile ) but I needed to find a good discussion site and I stumbled upon this via the web. Thanks all. 

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • Guest
    Guest loladmarie

    Posted

    Hi Loladmarie, I too am new to the site and newly diagnosed AND from the states! confused I am on plaqineil, not Sulfasalazine so I won't be much help but wanted to welcome you here and yes these are some very knowledgeable people so I'm sure someone will be able to help you.
    • loladmarie
      loladmarie Guest

      Posted

      Thank you for the welcome! I did notice that people seem to really be knowledgeable on here so that is hopeful for me! 
  • murray2
    murray2 loladmarie

    Posted

    Hi, I'm seronegative too and am in my third week of sulphasalazine. I'm taking 3 per day. The only side affect so far is a little nausea after meals a couple of times. The doctor has added this drug to my current medication of 20 mg of methotrexate a week and 15 mg of prednisone a day. He says that sulphasalazine and methotrexate work well together but not to expect improvements until the fourth week of taking sulpha. Already I'm noticing some reduction in swelling around the ankles but my feet are still tender and my fingers and wrists still stiff and painful to move. I'm looking forward to further improvement. I need to have blood tests after the third and sixth weeks to check on my liver.
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