Recent PA diagnosis which treatment?

I started on sulfasalazine, less side effects than methotrexate (fertility and alcohol). I now take both of these and my consultant said that methotrexate was the next step up. Have a look at the arthritis research website so he can make an informed decision   http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/arthritis-information/drugs/sulfasalazine/risks.aspx

all the best

sadly Janet its not a choice of which one its a choice which will work for him i have been on sulfasalazine for a year when i first started it i saw some improvement but that was short lived and i am now about to start on methotrexate in the hope that it will work for me. There are so many drugs for our condition its a case of finding the right one for him. so its a case of trial and error. because these are DMARDS they need to be monitored my inflamation markers were coming down on sulfasalazine but recently they have gone back up as my body got used to the drug. So sadly there is no short answer not helpful i know but everyone is not the same so what works for some does not for others.sulfasalazine has less side effects but it takes a while to get upto the max dosage (6 a day) however i understand that Methotrexate is stronger and the amount taken is less again its what works for the individual 

have a look at arthritis research website, I did send the link but it's gone to be moderated because it has a link in it!

Hi Janet,

I was put on sulfasalazina when I was first diagnosed on felt severely depressed within a week. Spoke to my doctor who told me to stop taking right away, felt better almost straight away. I was changed to methotrexate and have had almost no side effect since and it's now four years. I still have to have steroid injections during bad flare ups. Good luck to your son, he is so young to have to put up with this but he has to stay busy and positive it does help.

Hi Janet

as Robert has said there are many DMARDs available. I was on Methotrexate but had a severe hepatic reaction, liver failure. Then I was on Sulphasalazine but was allergic so now I take Leflunomide plus I inject a anti-TNF biological called Humira every fortnight. I must stress that both Mtx and Sulpha are very good med and I know many people who take them and get fantastic results. I was the exception (I've always been akward!). One thing I will say is that it's vitally important that your son gets his blood tested regularly, initially fortnightly then monthly. These are powerful medication.

Thank you everyone for your replies. Jordan is thinking of sulfasalazine first. When he comes to term with it I'm sure he will seek help from fellow PA sufferers. I have read him your comments and it has helped confirm his thinking 💛💛

PAPAA is a good organisation. Have a look at their website.

I'vebeen  on mthx for a year with little side effects, went on sulfasalazine for 3 months but it didnt help and left me feeling very down in the dumps, am now waiting to try Humira which will run along side the Mthx. I've met a few people who didnt get on with the sulfasalazine!. At the end of the day you just have to try them and see which ones work best for you. I have a friend whos 22 and she takes the Mthx,hated the sulfa. Good luck