Re: newby-sulfasalazine & swollen glands-side affects

[Guest guest]

Hi, I haven't written in a while but when I saw the

post regarding Sulfasalazine I had to write.

I took Sulfasalazine over 4 years ago. I had a

horrible fever the first time I tried Sulfasalazine.

I knew it was from the meds, but my rheumy didn't

agree.

He also requested I take a lower dosage. I stopped

taking the meds and restarted a few weeks later. The

fever didn't occur the second time I started them.

Sorry to say that I saw two rheumy's who kept me on

these meds for over 2 years. They didn't help the

inflammation in my fingers or help any part of the

Arthritis. The Rheumy's didn't seem to listen to me

and what I was feeling regarding the PA or the Meds.

I haven't seen a rheumy in many years but I have seen

hand specialists because of all the joint damage. I

have also had joint replacement surgery in three

fingers.

Anyhow I hope you find a med that works for you, so

you won't have joint damage and live pain-free.

Wishing you all the best

Rita B - 33 years old

[Editor's Note: This is a good example of where WE must take primary

responsibility for our disease. If you are on medication that is clearly not

working after several months, do NOT stay on it simply because a doctor wants

you to. We can say no. Good lesson for us, Rita. Thanks for sharing your

experience. Kathy F.]

--- Pugnfriend@... wrote:

>

> Hi, Chris. Yes, I have a similar experience with

> methotrexate (MTX). I

> have no trouble tolerating it at relatively low

> doses and my liver blood work is

> consistently normal, however, on the two occasions

> where we have

> experimented with raising my MTX dose to 25mg per

> week, my liver readings have shot way

> up. As soon as MTX is cut back, normal liver

> readings return. So, yes, I

> think it is possible that increasing your

> sulfasalazine caused you to have an

> adverse reaction. A side effect of many of our

> drugs, by the way, is " flu

> like symptoms " so you are not wrong for thinking

> that this is POSSIBLY caused by

> the increased dose of sulfasalazine. BTW, I am

> allergic to sulfa drugs and

> I understand that sulfa allergies are fairly

> prevalent. You should be tested

> to see if you are allergic.

>

> Kathy F.

>

> In a message dated 10/19/2006 9:40:00 A.M. Eastern

> Standard Time,

> ellis1@... writes:

>

>

>

>

> Hi - I've been reading through the posts and have

> found all the info very

> helpful. I'm a 45

> year old female and like many of you, had years of

> misdiagnoses

> (fibromyalgia,

> depression, lack of exercise,

> osteoarthritis)depression, lack of exercise,

> osteoar

> swollen finger joints, hip pain, generalized leg

> pain, fatigue. Finally

> diagnosed a few weeks

> ago w/PsA, after tons of bloodwork (all negative) an

> extensive history &

> x-rays. Started on

> 500 mg sulfasalazine 2x a day 2 weeks ago. (Have

> only had minor side

> effects: some

> fatigue, which I solved by changing timing on first

> dose, and seems like

> some achiness,

> although other places that WERE achy aren't as

> bad).

> Here's my problem: On Wednesday my doc said to

> double my dosage. I had labs

> done that

> day, which were fine. I wanted to increase more

> slowly, so I just took 3

> that day instead of

> 4. The morning after I increased my dosage

> (yesterday), I woke up with very

> swollen

> lymph nodes on one side of my neck, under my jaw

> toward the front. Called

> the doc, and

> was told by the nurse that he said it's not the

> pills, it's probably a

> virus, but not to take

> any more until I see my PCP. Does this make any

> sense to anyone? I'm pretty

> upset about

> it, as it seems so illogical. I have no fever, sore

> throat or any other

> virus-like symptoms. I

> haven't even seen my PCP since my diagnosis, have no

> idea what she even know

> about PsA

> or this med - she's a family practice doc who

> diagnosed my hand problems as

> osteo, this

> was before I broke out with a patch of P on my knee

> all last winter.

> Any thoughts on the swollen glands as a

> sulfasalazine side effect? Do you

> think my doc's

> advice is illogical (I feel like he's just blowing

> me off - I'm a new

> patient to him, have only

> seen him once!) My gut feeling is it's unrelated,

> but I've never had this

> before. I do have

> some hay fever-type allergies right now, feel it

> might be that. I have an

> appt. at the

> rheumy next monday. I'm leaning toward just

> continuing w/the 2 pills till I

> see him

> Monday and not wasting time/money seeing my PCP.

> Also would love to try the 1000 mgs of sulfa a

> little longer before DOUBLING

> it, any

> thoughts on that??

> Thank you all so much, you don't know how much all

> your notes have helped me

> feel

> better (like I'm not crazy or a lazy bum!), just

> knowing I'm not the only

> one that's been

> dealing with this has really improved my mood.

> in TX

> *Apologizes in advance if this is asking too much

> medical advice for this

> forum, just

> thought someone out there might have experienced

> something similar.

>

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