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Rank: Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/14/2010
Posts: 12
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Hello all,I was diagnosed with RA about 3 months ago and attended hospital where i was put on salazopurin and naproxen.Fortunately i havent had any flare ups although i feel tired all the time and have very little sensation in my hands and no upprer body strength.Has anyone on here had similar medication.Also i have had injections which have eased the pain in my shoulders and now get a reasonanle nights sleep. All in all i havent too much to complain about although there are many folks out there i guess who are worse off.Just curious to know about current medication.
Regards to all John Wilson
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
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Hi John Welcome to the forum where you will find much information, friendly folk and lots of helpful advice. I'm currently on a bucket load of stuff including naproxen. I have in the past had salazopyrin but it didn't work well for me and I was moved onto other treatments more suited to me. It's quite difficult in the early stages to find which drugs are best suited to your condition and keep the RA adequately under control. New meds are coming along all the time (thankfully, as I feel I'm fast running out  ) and there are plenty of options available. You don't mention a stomach protector such as Omeprazole or Lansoprazole. It is quite usual to be prescribed one when taking anti inflammatories as they can be quite harsh on the stomach. Definitely worth asking for. The fatigue is extremely common, even without flares, and is symptomatic of RA. I assume you have been checked for anaemia which is also common in RA but easily sorted with iron tablets. I can't comment on the lack of sensation in your hands or lack of upper body strength. Someone else might have some idea but I might be inclined to mention it to your GP at an early opportunity in case it is due to the current meds. Keep posting John, Lyn x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2010 Posts: 1,749 Location: Somerset
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Hello John
Welcome Lyn has loads of great information for us all.
I have had RA for 18 months as the mo waiting to go on new medication so now on amitriptyline and paracetamol and and had
another depo injection last Wednesday. Had bloods done then so hopefully can get to start on something next week as in lots
of pain.
I started on your medication at the beginning with mtx, unfortunately though upset my liver so had to be stopped.
Agree with Lyn that you should have a stomach protector with the anti-inflam. I did . But again even though I had
the protectors they still upset my tummy after 12 months of taking them so stopped these last week.
Good luck
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,689 Location: Durham
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Hello John, and welcome to the forum. I think the drug you`re on is also called sulphasalazine? It was the first drug I was given, over 4 years ago when I was first diagnosed, but sadly it didn`t work for me, so 6 months down the line I was taken off it. I also have the anti-inflammatory, naproxen. Take care, Kathleen
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
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Hi John,
Welcome to the forum!
Salazopyrin was the first drug I took, 9 years ago now, unfortunately it didn't work for me but some do really well on it.
I'm afraid the fatigue goes hand in hand with RA and there is no magic cure, wish there was!
You will learn to pace yourself and deal with the tiredness that way as you get more used to the disease.
Looking forward to getting to know you.
Doreen xx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,740
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Hello John welcome Afriad im not familar with that drug,but am with having RA had since 17. nice to meet you do keep reading,posting ask away. melly cuddly cats make my world seem so much more fun
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 872
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Hi John,
Im on the same meds and have been on Sulphasalazine (salazopyrin) since 1998. It has worked really well for me, i was very poorly when first diagnosed but not any longer and check ups, regularly blood checks keep things in check.
At first I was weaned onto max Sulph dose and now drift between a low and medium dose, very rarely needing to return to full dose nowadays.
I also take naproxen prn fairly regularly whenever needed - always with food and try drink plenty of water too.
Definitely mentiion the sensations and tiredness to medical peeps - its true - fatigue seems part and parcel of RA but the other feelings you mention could be to do with meds side effects - try check this out as soon as poss, & if at all worried, ring out of hours,
Nice to meet you, sorry you have RA but well done for finding us, we're a friendly bunch :)
Keep posting!
Take care ~ Liz
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Rank: Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/14/2010
Posts: 12
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Hello again to everyone and all who replied to my query on sulfa salazomide.I guess like everthing you have to be patient and see if things improve.Having recently being diagnosed with RA its difficult to accept after being so active.Fortunately i took early retirement from the Ambulance Service where i was a paramedic so it in no way affects the fact that i couldnt do the job. I know there are loadsa people on here who developed the symptoms at a much earlier age than myself and my heart goes out to you all.Thanks again for all your support and what a great site this is to realise there are so many out there who have the same problem and the support thats available. I`ll just keep  and keep posting. Regards to all John14
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,006 Location: Timperley
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Hi John
Wecome to the forum but sorry you have RA.
Look forward to getting to know you
Jeanxx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 856
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Hello John ,and a warm welcome from me too.
I was diagnosed in 2008, and have bene on sulf ever since. It took while to work but I had 2 good years on it and at times felt almost back to normal. I say 'had' because flares have been getting worse and the consultant has decided to add methotrexate to it although I'm not totally convinced as I have had a very stressful year so that could have been partly causing the flares. The fatigue gradually got better for me over about a year. It might be worth checking with your GP because anaemia can also be part of RA. I've been on folic acid since Dec last year and that also seems to have improved the fatigue.
All the best
Maria
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 838 Location: Nottinghamshire
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Hello John
I'll try again to speak to you, my last post I did earlier today hasn't arrived yet, it must be going around in cyber space along with all my other lost posts.
My orginal post was so much like Maria's. I too was DX 2008 put on sulp.........and did very well on it up until these last few months. Even to the degree that I thought that I had been DX wrong and there was nothing at all wrong with me. Alas..... it has now bitten me on my (you know where) and I am going to have another DMARD more than likely MTX added. I'm seeing the nurse on Monday to discuss which one.
It so hard coming to terms with this illness, I like most people was use to going to the doctors when ill, having to take some medication for a week or two and then hey presto your better. Sadly with RA this isn't going to happen, very hard at first to accept this, that is if you ever accept it.
Just want to add that you will get so much information from everyone on here. They've all done it and got a wardrobe full of T shirts. Its just so nice to know that you can come on here and ask questions or ask for advice about RA too people who understand what it's really like.
Keep Posting
Paula x x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/8/2010 Posts: 914
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Hi John, I'm Lorna I have had RA for almost 3 years now, Started on MTX, Sulfasalazine, and Hydroxochloroquine along with Folic acid. I no longer take Sulfasalazine as I no longer need it still on the others. I am so much better now, hope in time you will too. Rest when your tired and pace yourself when your ok, it is not easy in the beginning and does take a lot of getting used too but there are good stories too sometimes. Take care Lorna
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