Arthritis meds

I couldn't tolerate sulfasalazine, my records say I'm intolerant of it. I felt awful when taking it.
I'm assuming you have inflammatory arthritis. It's an aggressive disease that my rheumatologist says needs to be treated aggressively. I'm now on one of the expensive disease modifiers, a biological treatment I inject. It's a life changer, I am no longer in permanent pain, exhausted and fed up.
Talk to your rheumatologist.

Nanna58, the RA drugs do require so much monitoring.
I was being monitored every two weeks for the last year and thought I had managed to get it down to four weekly tests last week.
Back to two weekly ones, due to an increase of dosage.
It is a pain, but for the best.

The minute I say I have, mouth ulcers, skin problems, sore throat, all hell lets loose!
However, I'm very grateful that I am so well looked after by the NHS. I'm one of the fortunate ones, going by the news tonight.

Well, another day another discovery! Spent 2 hours waiting for a blood test today. Had rung GP first thing to tell her of cold/ sore throat, she rang later to tell me to pick up form for ANOTHER blood test tomorrow so will be back there again! Will resemble a pincushion at this rate!

Gosh gardenermum ! I started on two, then four, then six, then eight, all within a month!

Nanna58 I have also just increased my penicillamine, if you think Sulfasalazine makes you nauseous, you ain't seen nothing yet.
I'm counting the minutes until the next anti nausea dose.
?
I hope you get some relief.

Am building up gradually, , same as you describe gardenermum. It does knock you for six at first! I have Psoriatic Arthritis Labaik. Have caught a cold/ cough, so after my blood test 2mo will tell my GP as the hospital leaflet advises. It’s a learning curve to be sure???

I’m on salazopyrine, over 20 years now. Did you build up the dosage gradually? I was advised to take it slowly, one tablet only for I think it was a week, then 2 etc. I felt the benefits build up over months, but at first was knocked out by it, though not nauseous. It really has suited me, for which I’m grateful. The only problems have been when the rheumatologist on a whim said to stop taking it, and I went back to square 1, and took 2 years to recover.

Is it rheumatoid arthritis Nanna58?

Your Rheumatologist/specialist nurse will advise you best.

Thank you so much for replying Marydoll, ( as a Rab C Nesbitt fan I love your name!) I will speak to my consultant.

Nanna58, I have been on the max dose of Sulfazalazine for many years.
Initially, I suffered dreadful nausea and indegestion. It was so debillitating, I was absolutely miserable.
With the approval of my consultant, my GP prescribed anti nausea tablets to help cope with it.

Also, if you take Omneprazole at least one hour before your first dose, that may help. You cannot take them at the same time, as the Omneprazole inhibits the Sulfasalazine.

I persevered, because I can't tolerate most of the RA drugs , ended up in Coronary Care with a reaction to one RA drug and was running out of options.

Please speak to your GP or consultant, it will eventually settle down and in my case, persevering paid off.

I hope you feel better soon.

Will do- have appt in January. Thanks Jura2

Worth talking to your doctor Nanna. A friend of mine in UK has severe arthritis and osteoporosis, and broke both femurs. She is in constant pain and takes a variety of medications. When she asked her Consultant - he said he would look into it- and phoned her back 2 days later to say, yes- go for it- but sadly can't prescribe. She says it is really helping her.

The Chinese curse says “ be careful what you wish for” as someone who has struggled to lose weight now it’s dropping off it isn’t nearly so desirable!

Thanks Jura. Should say my meds suppress my immune system and are apparently not to be taken with over the counter supplements. Used to take those but now can’t.

Personally I am a huge fan of curcuma/turmeric. We both take 2 tablets a day, 1 of curcumin extract, and 1 of turmeric- both from Holland and Barrett. It is a great anti-inflammatory, and is also really useful to prevent or slow down memory loss and even Alzheimers- and possible help with some cancers- like prostate.