Re: Enbrel and Sulfasalazine

[Guest guest]

Hi Mike,

The only side effect I have had is my arthritis getting worse. That's it.

For most people there are few side effects with this drug...especially if you

are young.

[Guest guest]

I have been on sulfasalazine for about 13-14 years and have had no problems. My

bloodwork has been normal . As far as a skin rash, my psoriasis has not been

worse.I am on methotrexate so that keeps it under control.

MICHAEL HARNICK <mike9626@...> wrote:

I just have a question about enbrel and sulfasalazine.

.... So my question simply is about the side effects

of sulfasalazine most people get. My rheumy told me

about a possible severe skin rash that could occur(in

addition to a flare of psoriasis), and the possibility

of developing an infection but that these are not that

common. Has any one ever had a problem with these side

effects or any others? Thank you for your responses.

Mike

[Guest guest]

Hi Ron & Mike,

I have the urine color problem too, but if I drink enough water it doesn't

happen. It's important to drink lots of water on Sulfa, because it tends to

cause kidney stones. (This is on the pharmacy info that they give you) I

have actually had a tinnitus (ringing of the ears) problem since being on

Celebrex, so I don't know if Sulfa has made that even worse.

In a message dated 12/30/02 9:07:14 PM Eastern Standard Time, PA@...

writes:

> Mike,

>

> I took Sulfasalazine for many years, and the only side effect I ever

> had (except for bright yellow colored urine), was tinnitus.

>

> -- Ron

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

:

I tried Sulfasalazine twice over the past six months. Both times it

significantly improved my inflamation and pain but replaced these with shortness

of breath and wheezing. I have asthma and my rhuemy finally concluded that

although the Az was helpful for my PA I am sensitive to it and it caused my

asthma to flare (first time in 20 years). After the first attempt in July/Aug I

stopped the Az for a month and then restarted hoping that the sensitivity was a

fluke, but the same thing happened. It was a shame too because the Az worked

wonders on my PA.

I am waiting for approval for either Remicade or Enbrel now as it is my last

resort. I would be interested to hear how it helps you. By the way, just my

opinion, but if the Enbrel really does the job for you I seriously doubt that

the insurance company could justify terminating it. Just my opinion.

Doug

MICHAEL HARNICK <mike9626@...> wrote:

I just have a question about enbrel and sulfasalazine.

My insurance company has only approved me for 6

months worth of Enbrel(after non-stop fighting them),

so my rhuemy said she wants to start me with full dose

enbrel twice weekly for two months to get the pain

under control and then reduce to a maintanance dose of

once a week and start sulfasalazine to kinda offset

the reduced enbrel. I skipped over sulfasalazine

originally because of the severity of my arthrititis

and went to the other common Dmard's ( metho, cyclo

etc.) So my question simply is about the side effects

of sulfasalazine most people get. My rheumy told me

about a possible severe skin rash that could occur(in

addition to a flare of psoriasis), and the possibility

of developing an infection but that these are not that

common. Has any one ever had a problem with these side

effects or any others? Thank you for your responses.

Mike

[Guest guest]

>

> ... So my question simply is about the side effects

> of sulfasalazine most people get.

> Mike

Mike,

I took Sulfasalazine for many years, and the only side effect I ever

had (except for bright yellow colored urine), was tinnitus.

-- Ron

[Guest guest]

Hi Pete and again Mike,

For me Sulfa has NOT been a bad drug. In all of the research I have done,

the allergies to sulfa do seem to be the most common side effect. I didn't

ask my Dr. (yes, I asked him to put me on it before he even mentioned it) to

put me on Sulfa because it was cheap... but I asked to be put on it because

although it doesn't work for too many people, those that it does work for can

take it without the serious side effects that people have on prednisone, MTX,

etc. It is a mild drug, and it only works for one third of the people with

PA that try it. Many people have sulphur allergies, which is the scary part

of being on this drug. Sulfa has allowed me to start living my life again.

According to my Rheum it is the #1 treatment for arthritis in Europe. Why?

That was the first question I asked my Dr. He said that Doctors in Europe

like to start off on the least severe meds, and only move up to more severe

meds if the mild ones don't work. People in America like instant

gratification with the drugs that they take... they want the pain knocked out

immediately and completely... which in turn makes Doctors think that way too.

The only side effect I have experienced is an increase in the Psoriasis. I

will be starting Enbrel soon, and risk the more serious side effects... to

try to get the Psoriasis under control... but I was very happy with the Sulfa

while I waited for Enbrel to become available.

In a message dated 1/3/03 8:52:14 AM Eastern Standard Time,

peterunspa@... writes:

> 1. the sulfasalazine was a terrible drug for me. I now officially indicate

> an allergy to sulfa drugs on medical forms

> 2. IMHO...sulfasalazine is a cheap drug that is preferentially prescribed

> for its cost over its effectiveness. There are much better drugs out there

> and if cost were not an issue,sulfasalazine would go the way of Betamax.

> 3. I hope you find your way back to Enbrel.

> All the Best...Pete.

>