Guest guest Posted January 31, 2001 Report Share Posted January 31, 2001 Hi Kim ...Dean here. Sulfasalazine is listed as an anti-inflammatory and a immuno modulator, so I assume it is a DMARD. You can read some articles about it at http://pharminfo.com . According to one of the articles, it is used in Europe to treat RA and Crohn's disease, but not much about AS. If you are having flares, it should help the pain and swelling as it is an anti-inflam. I don't know how good of a DMARD it is, but it is in use for that. It may be easier on you than methotrexate or some of the other drugs that are perscribed. Get the Dr. list from and see if there are any in your area that would be approved by your HMO. Best of luck to you, <<hugs>> Dean. > Hi Everyone - > > I've been skulking around the group the last few months, but haven't > participated much yet. I'm very frustrated now, though, and have a > question. > > I've had moderate to severe SI joint pain for about 8 years now, and > uveitis for about 3. Now my hands are starting to flare up. A few years > ago a rheumatologist thought I had Reiters syndrome, now a new > rheumatologist thinks I have ankylosing spondylitis. I saw the new > doctor because my primary care physician said she would try to find me > someone in my insurance group that prescribes antibiotics for arthritis. > I had great hope, only to be told by the new guy that he knows of > treating AS with sulphasalazine, but not Minocin or anything like that. > He answered very few of my questions, so I left not even knowing if the > sulphasalazine would be prescribed for the same purpose as the minocin, > ie for the infectious agent causing the disease. I've tried to look up > info on sulphasalazine and havent' had much luck. So my question is, > should I try it, or keep trying to find another doctor to prescribe the > Minocin? > > I live in the Boston area, and know of Dr. Trentham, but he's not in my > insurance group, and I've read in emails that he seems way overbooked. > If anyone has any suggestions about finding a doctor, or about the > sulphasalazine, I would appreciate it very much. > > Thanks, > Kim > > > > To unsubscribe, email: rheumatic-unsubscribeegroups > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 1, 2001 Report Share Posted February 1, 2001 Thanks everyone for your input. I don't think I'm going to try the sulphasalazine, but hold out till I find someone to prescribe the Minocin. Lyn - I'll let you know if I find anything more, too. It's so frustrating here - there are so many doctors and no one will listen! I've been to the Mass Eye & Ear, Mt. Auburn Hosp. & Newton-Wellesley Hosp. all in one day this week - boy do I hate hospitals! My husband and I may be moving to Portland, OR in the next year. I see on the list that there are many dr's who prescribe the AP there - I might just have to wait! Best of luck to all. Kim Lyn B wrote: > Kim - > > I live in the Boston area, too (Malden). I'm the one who isnt' crazy about > Dr. Trentham. Now I'm in the Beth Israel system only becasue I switched to > go to see him... he just referred me back to the primary care. > > I have no idea who to go to. If I find anyone, I'll post it on the list. > Right now, I'm in so much pain. I know what you mean by being frustrated w > these drs.... > > I don't know what I'm going to do. I've had a couple of dif diagnosises too. > If I find anyone good,I'll let you know. > > Lyn > > ============== > >I've been skulking around the group the last few months, but haven't > >participated much yet. I'm very frustrated now, though, and have a > >question. > > > >I've had moderate to severe SI joint pain for about 8 years now, and > >uveitis for about 3. Now my hands are starting to flare up. A few years > >ago a rheumatologist thought I had Reiters syndrome, now a new > >rheumatologist thinks I have ankylosing spondylitis. I saw the new > >doctor because my primary care physician said she would try to find me > >someone in my insurance group that prescribes antibiotics for arthritis. > >I had great hope, only to be told by the new guy that he knows of > >treating AS with sulphasalazine, but not Minocin or anything like that. > >He answered very few of my questions, so I left not even knowing if the > >sulphasalazine would be prescribed for the same purpose as the minocin, > >ie for the infectious agent causing the disease. I've tried to look up > >info on sulphasalazine and havent' had much luck. So my question is, > >should I try it, or keep trying to find another doctor to prescribe the > >Minocin? > > > >I live in the Boston area, and know of Dr. Trentham, but he's not in my > >insurance group, and I've read in emails that he seems way overbooked. > >If anyone has any suggestions about finding a doctor, or about the > >sulphasalazine, I would appreciate it very much. > > > >Thanks, > >Kim > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 2, 2001 Report Share Posted February 2, 2001 Hi Kim, My name is Chip , and I joined this group about a year ago. I haven't posted for a while because I haven't been taking antibiotics anymore, I have had a lot better luck with Sulfasalazine than minocin. Plus this group seems to be a lot more of RA than AS. I had arthritic symptoms that started up in June of 1999. The first thing that I tried was the Minocin. I tried it for about 8 months without much relief, I actually seemed to be getting worse and worse. After about 8 months, my rheumatologist tested me for HLA B27, and I was positive. So I was diagnosed with AS. I have been taking Indomethacin 75mg SR twice a day. And now take 3 grams of sulfasalazine. These two medications have helped me the most. Indomethacin seems to be the NSAID of choice for AS suffers. You might try it, if you are not getting good results from the NSAIDs you are taking now. The sulfasalazine helped me alot more than the minocin. Again sulfasalazine seems to be one of the better drugs for AS. You have to make sure that you drink alot of water, and have your liver checked every few months. But it has done wonders for me. I don't feel as well as I did when I was healthy, but I feel much better now than I did for the first year of my severe arthritic/AS flare up. Sulfasalazine is also one of the safer forms of DMARDs. Have your doctor check for the HLA B27 gene, simple blood test, and 95% of people with AS have the gene. If you do have AS, talk to the doctor about specific exercises to help ease the pain and keep your joints from fusing up. Feel free to e-mail me with any questions. Chip > Hi Everyone - > > I've been skulking around the group the last few months, but haven't > participated much yet. I'm very frustrated now, though, and have a > question. > > I've had moderate to severe SI joint pain for about 8 years now, and > uveitis for about 3. Now my hands are starting to flare up. A few years > ago a rheumatologist thought I had Reiters syndrome, now a new > rheumatologist thinks I have ankylosing spondylitis. I saw the new > doctor because my primary care physician said she would try to find me > someone in my insurance group that prescribes antibiotics for arthritis. > I had great hope, only to be told by the new guy that he knows of > treating AS with sulphasalazine, but not Minocin or anything like that. > He answered very few of my questions, so I left not even knowing if the > sulphasalazine would be prescribed for the same purpose as the minocin, > ie for the infectious agent causing the disease. I've tried to look up > info on sulphasalazine and havent' had much luck. So my question is, > should I try it, or keep trying to find another doctor to prescribe the > Minocin? > > I live in the Boston area, and know of Dr. Trentham, but he's not in my > insurance group, and I've read in emails that he seems way overbooked. > If anyone has any suggestions about finding a doctor, or about the > sulphasalazine, I would appreciate it very much. > > Thanks, > Kim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 2, 2001 Report Share Posted February 2, 2001 Hi Kim, Chip again. I forgot one very important thing. If you do take sulfasalazine make sure and get Azulfadine EnTabs. The Entabs means that it is Enteric Coated. It will digest in your intestine and not your stomach. Regular sulfasalazine tablets may cause nauzea, I know they substituted generic tablets and I was sick to my stomach. Chip > > > Kim - > > > > I live in the Boston area, too (Malden). I'm the one who isnt' crazy about > > Dr. Trentham. Now I'm in the Beth Israel system only becasue I switched to > > go to see him... he just referred me back to the primary care. > > > > I have no idea who to go to. If I find anyone, I'll post it on the list. > > Right now, I'm in so much pain. I know what you mean by being frustrated w > > these drs.... > > > > I don't know what I'm going to do. I've had a couple of dif diagnosises too. > > If I find anyone good,I'll let you know. > > > > Lyn > > > > ============== > > >I've been skulking around the group the last few months, but haven't > > >participated much yet. I'm very frustrated now, though, and have a > > >question. > > > > > >I've had moderate to severe SI joint pain for about 8 years now, and > > >uveitis for about 3. Now my hands are starting to flare up. A few years > > >ago a rheumatologist thought I had Reiters syndrome, now a new > > >rheumatologist thinks I have ankylosing spondylitis. I saw the new > > >doctor because my primary care physician said she would try to find me > > >someone in my insurance group that prescribes antibiotics for arthritis. > > >I had great hope, only to be told by the new guy that he knows of > > >treating AS with sulphasalazine, but not Minocin or anything like that. > > >He answered very few of my questions, so I left not even knowing if the > > >sulphasalazine would be prescribed for the same purpose as the minocin, > > >ie for the infectious agent causing the disease. I've tried to look up > > >info on sulphasalazine and havent' had much luck. So my question is, > > >should I try it, or keep trying to find another doctor to prescribe the > > >Minocin? > > > > > >I live in the Boston area, and know of Dr. Trentham, but he's not in my > > >insurance group, and I've read in emails that he seems way overbooked. > > >If anyone has any suggestions about finding a doctor, or about the > > >sulphasalazine, I would appreciate it very much. > > > > > >Thanks, > > >Kim > > > > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > > Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 2, 2001 Report Share Posted February 2, 2001 Dear Chip, I took sulfasalazine for some time for my RA. I felt great on it and was very happy since I had been very sick before. AND THEN it stopped working and my RA had spread to many more joints and was much more serious than before. I have heard this has happened to many people. I know that the AP would eventually help you and I have heard that the Specific Carbohydrate Diet can have huge success for people with AS. Some people say they were cured of AS by this diet even though it doesn't seem to help RA, I am told. Good luck and watch out for the Dmard backlash. Gloria Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 2, 2001 Report Share Posted February 2, 2001 > I took sulfasalazine for some time for my RA. I felt great on it and was > very happy since I had been very sick before. AND THEN it stopped working > and my RA had spread to many more joints and was much more serious than > before. Just to add my 2 cents to the pile, I took it for a short while, and while it did a good job controlling the inflammation, it made me first depressed, and gave me mouth sores in the corners of my mouth. These symptoms cleared up when I added folic acid. But them I started getting big bruises from little bumps, and I kept getting sick, sick, and sicker, and awfully tired. I caught every infection that came along and kept relapsing with one flu for a year. So I stopped taking it and felt much better. I thought maybe that was a fluke, and when I went into a flare a couple of months later, I tried it again for a few days, and the flu came back and an infection in a tooth I had recrowned came flaring back. I'm minus one molar now, and will never take sulfasalazine again. This is just my experience, and others here have had different and better ones than I have. I am diagnosed with RA, so maybe that is part of the reason for my different experience. Liz G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 3, 2001 Report Share Posted February 3, 2001 ----- Original Message ----- From: <chipreed@...> <rheumatic > > . I tried it for about 8 months without > much relief, I actually seemed to be getting worse and worse. After > about 8 months, my rheumatologist tested me for HLA B27, and I was > positive. So I was diagnosed with AS> > ================================================= Hi Chip & everyone, I'm NOT arguing with you here, Chip. You may well have the correct diagnosis and the best treatment for you. I just wanted to note my early experience on the subject. I " discovered " Scammell's and Brown's books very soon after my arthritis symptoms began in '97. I went to 8 local doctors (4 of them rheumatologists) looking for someone to treat me with minocin. Each doctor declined, mostly because they thought Brown was a royal quack, but also because they each said that I had AS and not RA. They made this diagnosis, I believe, solely because I tested positive for HLA-B27. That confused me because I believed I had a textbook case of RA. Anyhow, for a while I was put on azulfidine (not sure how much it helped). Six months later when I finally bit-the-bullet and flew down to see Dr. Franco, he confirmed my suspicion that I indeed have RA and that the HLA-B27 was a " red herring. " Yes, I have the gene, but so do many, many people.....healthy people. And finally a positive rheumatoid factor showed up in the blood work. It's funny--a positive RF is NOT something anyone wants to see, but I remember feeling great relief. I wan't crazy after all! :-) And all my frustrations with those earlier doctors had merit. My RA has been a hard case. Like you, Chip, my symptoms got worse and worse on the minocin. I think the lowest point (the point of dreaming of suicide on a daily basis) was about 2 years into the treatment. Now I've been on it for 3-1/2 years and I'm almost completely back to my old self. Yes, it was very, very slow......but I'm soooo glad I stuck it out. Like I said, Chip, I'm not questioning your situation. Just wanted to note that people with HLA-B27 can and do often have RA. Best of luck, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 3, 2001 Report Share Posted February 3, 2001 Concerning sulphasalazine-- Over the past several years, I've shared my experience with this drug on 3 or 4 occasions, and here it is again: My ex-rheumatologist, in Westminster, Colorado, put me on the stuff and after about 2 months I couldn't taste a thing. Food and even water tasted terrible. I read the microprint on the drug warning label and found nothing related to loss of taste, and then found one of the testimonials on the rheumatic.org website that confirmed my suspicion. I suspect for a certain percentage of patients, sulphasalazine completely eliminates their sense of taste. Anyways, the Dr. said that loss of taste is not a side effect of the drug and she wanted my GP to look at me since I had lost so much weight. When I told her that I know the sulphasalazine is the problem and that I was not taking it any more and that my weight loss was a combination of the loss of taste and the fact that the less I ate the better I felt, she was very skeptical. Since the food-pain connection is not part of the brainwashing program in medical school, she dismissed my statements. After about a month off sulphasalazine, my taste returned and I started eating more. Take care and God Bless! Jeff Psoriatic Arthritis - 3+ years minocin 100mg/2X day/MWF Re: rheumatic Re: sulphasalazine > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: <chipreed@...> > <rheumatic > > > . I tried it for about 8 months without > > much relief, I actually seemed to be getting worse and worse. After > > about 8 months, my rheumatologist tested me for HLA B27, and I was > > positive. So I was diagnosed with AS> > > ================================================= > > Hi Chip & everyone, > > I'm NOT arguing with you here, Chip. You may well have the correct > diagnosis and the best treatment for you. I just wanted to note my early > experience on the subject. > > I " discovered " Scammell's and Brown's books very soon after my arthritis > symptoms began in '97. I went to 8 local doctors (4 of them > rheumatologists) looking for someone to treat me with minocin. Each doctor > declined, mostly because they thought Brown was a royal quack, but also > because they each said that I had AS and not RA. They made this diagnosis, > I believe, solely because I tested positive for HLA-B27. That confused me > because I believed I had a textbook case of RA. Anyhow, for a while I was > put on azulfidine (not sure how much it helped). > > Six months later when I finally bit-the-bullet and flew down to see Dr. > Franco, he confirmed my suspicion that I indeed have RA and that the HLA-B27 > was a " red herring. " Yes, I have the gene, but so do many, many > people.....healthy people. And finally a positive rheumatoid factor showed > up in the blood work. It's funny--a positive RF is NOT something anyone > wants to see, but I remember feeling great relief. I wan't crazy after all! > :-) And all my frustrations with those earlier doctors had merit. > > My RA has been a hard case. Like you, Chip, my symptoms got worse and worse > on the minocin. I think the lowest point (the point of dreaming of suicide > on a daily basis) was about 2 years into the treatment. Now I've been on it > for 3-1/2 years and I'm almost completely back to my old self. Yes, it was > very, very slow......but I'm soooo glad I stuck it out. > > Like I said, Chip, I'm not questioning your situation. Just wanted to note > that people with HLA-B27 can and do often have RA. > > Best of luck, > > > > > > To unsubscribe, email: rheumatic-unsubscribeegroups > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 9, 2004 Report Share Posted September 9, 2004 Hi Billie, Great to hear from you. Hope you decide to stay vocal.Lol I think Sulphasalizine had been mentioned but I don't know anything about it. i am on MTX. I do get the odd mouth ulcer but not too often. You can bet someone here will be able to give you good advice. Sorry that I can't. Take care, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 9, 2004 Report Share Posted September 9, 2004 In a message dated 9/9/2004 7:49:33 AM Eastern Standard Time, billieblancher@... writes: or to MXT, and the dr. mentioned sulphasalazine as an alternative. My hands are really bad (as well as other areas), he is only hoping to prevent the left hand from deteriorating as bad as the right. Haven't heard much about sulphasalazine, and was looking for comments about it's effect/comparison with MXT. Hi Billie, I chose Sulfasalazine over MTX for a few reasons...one being the potential side effects of MTX. For the most part, I have noticed an improvement with the Sulfasalazine...less pain and stiffness. I had xrays when I went on it so we would have a benchmark as to what stage of deterioration the joints were in prior to starting the drug, and it will be another year before we do the next set of xrays, but in general if you have no pain there is no damage occuring (per my dr). That being said, living in Florida and going through these 2 hurricanes, I am in the midst of a bad flare and its hard to know if I would have had the same flare if I were on another drug. I have only been on it 5 months so I am going to stick with it a bit longer. From what I understand, if you can tolerate sulfa drugs in general, side effects are minimal. I haven't had any side effects that I have noticed. I still have to get bloodwork checked to see how the liver is responding (like with MTX) but so far, so good. I have read some posts from people who haven't improved on suflasalazine, but like all drugs, everyone's reaction is different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 9, 2004 Report Share Posted September 9, 2004 Hi Billie I'm a full time lurker that only speaks up once and a while too. I just quit taking sulfasalazine last week after a 3 month run on it. It's been around for about 40+ years. I took it as an alternative to MTX because of the problems I had with it years ago. I think it's worth a try. For me it made the fatigue much worse which brought on more depression. I've been on Remicade for over a year and it has been and still is a miracle treatment. For some reason it isn't helping with elbows, knees and hands so we tried the Sulfasalazine. If you do a search in the group archives you will find others who have tried it. You may have to try different spellings as it seems to get misspelled a great deal. The two biggest complaints I found were " fatigue " and " doesn't do anything " . It's sort of a pain to start up on. You have to " build up " to the usual dose of 2000mg a day over a three week period. Good luck and keep up the battle. Duane [ ] Sulphasalazine Whew, that's a mouthful!! Am waiting for blood test prior to MXT, and the dr. mentioned sulphasalazine as an alternative. My hands are really bad (as well as other areas), he is only hoping to prevent the left hand from deteriorating as bad as the right. Haven't heard much about sulphasalazine, and was looking for comments about it's effect/comparison with MXT. I am always fighting mouth sores, and know that MXT can cause more problems, so was wondering if the other would be more appropriate?? Haven't seen any posings about this drug. Appreciate any and all input on the subject. Thanks. Billie (have been lurking for years) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 9, 2004 Report Share Posted September 9, 2004 Billie, I was on sulphasalazine for about 6 months with no impact at all to my PA. The only side effect I had was that my urine was a bright yellow all the time regardless of what I drank and a little upset stomach in the beginning. My rheumy explained to me that about 10- 20% of the people respond to sulphasalazine and thought it was worth a shot. I certainly didn't get the same side effect worry with sulphasalize than with other drugs. Good luck and I hope it works for you. Dave > Whew, that's a mouthful!! Am waiting for blood test prior to MXT, > and the dr. mentioned sulphasalazine as an alternative. My hands are > really bad (as well as other areas), he is only hoping to prevent the > left hand from deteriorating as bad as the right. Haven't heard much > about sulphasalazine, and was looking for comments about it's > effect/comparison with MXT. I am always fighting mouth sores, and > know that MXT can cause more problems, so was wondering if the other > would be more appropriate?? Haven't seen any posings about this > drug. Appreciate any and all input on the subject. Thanks. > > Billie (have been lurking for years) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 9, 2004 Report Share Posted September 9, 2004 All males should be on different colored Sulphasalazine.Then I'd know who wee's on the toilet seat! In , " dglowther " <dglowther@y...> wrote: > Billie, > > I was on sulphasalazine for about 6 months with no impact at all to > my PA. The only side effect I had was that my urine was a bright > yellow all the time regardless of what I drank and a little upset > stomach in the beginning. My rheumy explained to me that about 10- > 20% of the people respond to sulphasalazine and thought it was worth > a shot. I certainly didn't get the same side effect worry with > sulphasalize than with other drugs. > > Good luck and I hope it works for you. > > Dave > > > > Whew, that's a mouthful!! Am waiting for blood test prior to MXT, > > and the dr. mentioned sulphasalazine as an alternative. My hands > are > > really bad (as well as other areas), he is only hoping to prevent > the > > left hand from deteriorating as bad as the right. Haven't heard > much > > about sulphasalazine, and was looking for comments about it's > > effect/comparison with MXT. I am always fighting mouth sores, and > > know that MXT can cause more problems, so was wondering if the > other > > would be more appropriate?? Haven't seen any posings about this > > drug. Appreciate any and all input on the subject. Thanks. > > > > Billie (have been lurking for years) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 9, 2004 Report Share Posted September 9, 2004 Hi Billie, My specialist tried me on sulphasalazine when I was first diagnosed with PA. It's supposed to have a lot less side effects then most of the other medications such as MTX. Hopefully it will work for you. It didn't work atall for me - it made me worse. I couldn't get out of bed at all and made the pain a lot worse. I had to stop taking it before I'd been on it a week. Allthe specialist said was - yes it does that to some people. Wonderful. MTX was not my wonder drug either. Now I'm trying Arava. Like Fran, I'm hoping it's my wonder drug - so far so good (after 1 week) What type of drug is Arcoxia? NSAID? DMARD? I haven't heard of it in Australia has anyone else? Bye for now Suzie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 9, 2004 Report Share Posted September 9, 2004 Hi Billie, From another 'lurker' -- I was on sulphasalazine/azulfidine in combination with diclofenac/volteran for several years. The only problem was anemia which developed last year that could not be corrected with any form of iron. Hope it works out for you. Patty B in the Pineywoods of East Texas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 10, 2004 Report Share Posted September 10, 2004 Hi Patty, Good to see you out of lurk mode. Right someone close the door so she can't get back out! Lol. Take care, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 18, 2004 Report Share Posted September 18, 2004 I'm a lurker as well, I'm also on sulfasalazine on top of Enbrel. When I was on the highest dose 8 pills a day, I did have a fatigue that was very bad so bad I would have to lay down for a while. This could happen at any time, morning, noon or night. I never noticed any change in the PA and after about a year my Rheumy is taking me off it --slowly; I'm down to 6 pills a day after decreasing for three months. Enbrel has worked the best although there are some days when the pain returns, not all over or as severe, but enough to let you know that you are not like everyone else. There are so many meds out there and everyone's experience is different. It's a real puzzle to find the right combination for you. I would be great it there was one pill or one shot that worked for all PA, but that isn't the case. Right now I just happy that I can walk up a flight of stairs and get through a day of work. I will play profession sports in some other liffetime. On Sep 9, 2004, at 12:28 PM, Duane wrote: > Hi Billie > > I'm a full time lurker that only speaks up once and a while too. > I just quit taking sulfasalazine last week after a 3 month run on it. > It's > been around for > about 40+ years. I took it as an alternative to MTX because of the > problems I had with it years ago. I think it's worth a try. For me it > made > the fatigue much worse > which brought on more depression. I've been on Remicade for over a > year and > it has been and still > is a miracle treatment. For some reason it isn't helping with elbows, > knees > and hands so we tried the > Sulfasalazine. If you do a search in the group archives you will find > others > who have tried it. You > may have to try different spellings as it seems to get misspelled a > great > deal. The two biggest complaints > I found were " fatigue " and " doesn't do anything " . > It's sort of a pain to start up on. You have to " build up " to the > usual dose > of 2000mg a day over a three > week period. > > Good luck and keep up the battle. > > Duane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Hi, I saw the Rheumatologist yesterday. He agreed that we needed "a bigger gun", but I told him my concerns about the lymphoma risk of the newer drugs. He put me on sulphasalazine, which he said is an old drug for RA. He kept me on the plaquenil and celebrex too, as well as my kenolog shot. He does not want me to use prednisone as frequently as I am now. Has anyone been on Sulphasalazine? I read in the archives some had gotten headaches. I did have a bad headache yesterday, but feel okay today. Thanks for the input. Tana -----Original Message-----From: Rheumatoid Arthritis [mailto:Rheumatoid Arthritis ] On Behalf Of snowdrift52003Sent: Thursday, September 21, 2006 5:17 PMRheumatoid Arthritis Subject: The Road Back? Hello,I saw my rheumy today and she suggested I try Imuran for my RA. (anyone have comments on that?) I asked about Minocycline (antibiotic) and she said it would be fine to try it.I picked up the RX today and will gvie it wa whirl. I feel mildly excited. I also got my first cortisone shot and am proud to report that I took it like a woman! Not a whimper. I also got the X-rays I wanted. It felt like a fruitful visit. My husband accompanied me, and I think I got slightly better care just because there was an "observer" present. (My rheumy's nurse held back on her personal talk, which was nice. I really don't want to hear any more about her dream of becoming a professional bowler...)I'll let you know how things go. I hear that it can be a bit rough in the beginning--RA patients on the antibiotic protocol feel worse before they feel better.Sierra --No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition.Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.12.7/454 - Release Date: 9/21/2006 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.12.7/454 - Release Date: 9/21/2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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