Comments on: RA|QA Rheumatoid Arthritis Questions & Answers

By: Eleanor

Eleanor — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:48:11 +0000

Just a quick update on the meds – I’ve had to come off them as I broke out in an all over rash with high temp and dis orientation. Taken off them yday and feel so much better. It all broke out when I got up to 3 pills a day. Ive to go back to the hospital next month and they will decide the next step! 4th time lucky!!!!

Thank you all for all your comments!!!

By: Elaine

Elaine — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:30:37 +0000

Just a note on Sulfasalazine. Like all RA related medications, they take up to 12 weeks to ‘kick-in’. I am on Plaquenil (Hydroxychloroquine) as well as part of my combi therapy.

By: Eleanor

Eleanor — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:45:20 +0000

Thank you all so much for your comments on this medication. I’ve just picked up my prescription to start tonight!! Fingers crossed!

By: Christy

Christy — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 08:15:03 +0000

I had to come off both Arava and Plaquenil and my Celebrex. Been living on MTX and prednisone since August and not doing so well. Supposed to start Simponi (one of the newest biologics) on Tuesday. I hear good things about it.

By: Michael

Michael — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 07:33:41 +0000

what do you think of the plaquenil Ra guy? I take arava now and dr wanted to switch me

By: Wren

Wren — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 03:19:05 +0000

I’ve been taking sulfasalazine for about 18 months, Eleanor. At first I took it in combo with methothrexate, which I could not tolerate, and then with Arava (leflunomide), which I’m tolerating well. I’ve never had any trouble with sulfasalazine, other than the bright yellow urine, which is a bit shocking at first. NOTE: While I’ve had no appreciable side effects from it, I’ve also not noticed any appreciable benefits. I didn’t notice any change in my RA and in fact, it’s getting steadily worse.

That doesn’t mean it won’t work for you. RA is so incredibly individual that what works for me might not for you, and vice versa. Good luck with it, and I hope you feel better real soon.

By: Renee

Renee — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 02:21:15 +0000

I switched to Sulfasalinze just two months ago. The first month was very diffucult I was kinda shakey, nauseated and had some headaches. Taking them twice a day with food helped alot. It takes several months to notice the effects so can’t speak to if it helps or not yet. What my Doc claims though is if it works it is a home run in terms of medication becuase the side effects are so minmal.

By: RA Guy

RA Guy — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 02:15:59 +0000

Thanks for the feedback…just an FYI, this question was not asked by me, but by Eleanor. I did recently come off Leflunomide myself…but I switched over to Plaquenil.

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 02:07:41 +0000

Me too, Karen. Bad allergic reaction, but I guess a lot of people have allergies to sulfa. Hope it works for you, RA Guy!

By: WarmSocks

WarmSocks — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 02:05:24 +0000

Sulfasalazine is easier on the stomach when you start with one tab a day for a week, then go to one tab twice a day for a week, then two in the morning and one in the evening, fourth week two tabs in morning and two in the evening. Increasing slowly like that, I had no stomach problems at all. Eventually increased to two tabs three times a day. It definitely helps me.

Side effects: sun sensitivity, turns your urine bright yellow, constipation. Drink tons of water with this med.