sulfasalazine for RA
Posted , 4 users are following.
I have seronegative RA and also crohns bowel autoimmune disease. Had to come off Cimzia and Humira and couldn't tolerate methotrexate . Has anyone just taken the sulfsalazine and no other drug for RA and it has helped with pain and inflammation? Gastro Md doesn't want to try Remicade since I had heart palp / chest pain with first 2 biologics so not sure what the next step will be. I am having gastric problems with the sulfa drug but just started it Pain much worse since off cimzia 2 months ago
0 likes, 5 replies
kathleen89227 Gloria814
Posted
I was diagnosed with seronegative RA over 30 years ago. Hands like bunches of bananas, and could hardly walk. Diclofenac didn't help much, so my GP referred me to a Rheumatologist. Sulfasalazine was the first drug he tried me on. After two weeks, I could walk normally and my bunches of bananas turned back into hands again.
Now, I'm seropositive, take Leflunomide and a low dose of MTX. Not sure if Sulfa would work for me now as I also have Vasculitis so have Pred and Rituximab too. 
Gloria814 kathleen89227
Posted
Thank you for your response. I hope your current meds are keeping you comfortable. I stopped the sulfa drug as I felt very sick on it. Possible doc should have started the drug more slowly, terrible headache, gastro problems so didn't want to continue. Next month I am having colonoscopy so I am hoping to wait til after that to start another drug. The gastroent. doc and the rheum don't always agree on the best treatment so that's another issue. I am fearful of an IV drug since I got quite ill with the humira and cimzia
and I have quite a low blood pressure. Always something it seems. bless you
martin31040 Gloria814
Posted
Gloria814 martin31040
Posted
I could be wrong but I think I started on 4 grams a day--1 gm 4x a day. I did look up dosages and the gastro md ordered a much higher dose. It seems that crohns requires a larger dose Maybe I could have tolerated 2 gms. Will talk to the rheum. at next visit. Haven't seen your posts in awhile so I was wondering if you were still ok on Benepali I am 70 and not advised to take naproxen and other NSAIDS after age 65 I think, at least in US. Plus with Crohns its not advised anyway. I have 3 autoimmune disease and after awhile you start to think soon I will have another one Hope not!!
martin31040 Gloria814
Posted
Hi, yes I'm still on Benepali and it works great, with no side effects, I rarely take naproxen now, I don't know much about Crohns disease, would imagine it's not good, I have IBS and a redundant colon, meaning longer than normal with more twists and turns, tinnitus in both ears, apart from this lot I'm pretty much ok, ?, life keeps these problems coming, I made it too 42 years old before things went pear shaped, 65 now, I tend to see the cup half full, things could be worse I reckon, great talking.