Hi Heather,

Everyone is different on these drugs, what helps one does not necessary help everyone, but be rest assured there will be one to help you. Don't stop taking it until you talk to your Rhummy team, chances are they probably will stop it if it is giving you so much grief. Hope it settles down the rest of the weekend. Thinking about you take care Lorna x

Hi Heather

I took sulphasalazine some years ago and suffered nasty side effects. It isn't a drug that suits everyone and there will almost certainly be an alternative drug out there that will benefit you. The effects you seem to be experiencing are beyond what one might accept as 'normal'.

I think you are very wise to stop; the side effects are the body's way of telling you it is not suitable. It is a toxic drug (as are many of the RA drugs) but this particular one seems to either work well or causes significant problems. As Doreen says this drug can cause liver problems (unusual tiredness, fatigue, jaundice and other symptoms). I personally wouldn't take any more until
you've spoken to someone who can advise and if you get any worse seek medical help immediately.

Hope you feel better soon Heather. Let us know how you go on,

Lyn x

I hated the Sulpha too - apart from wreaking havoc with my stomach, I felt like you, I also felt extremely down. I gave it a month then had to stop. I think you have done the right thing and hope your nurse gets back to you quickly.

Julie xxx

Hi girls, many thanks for all the advice. I took my last one Saturday morning and felt rough as old boots yesterday. When I got up this morning, I felt so much better, its really not worth taking them at all. Hopefully the rheummy nurse will agree but without sounding like a strop, Im not taking them again end of!!!

Thanks again ladies, hope you are all well and enjoying the sun.

lots of love
Heatherxxxx

Hi Heather

Pleased you're feeling a bit better today. Do let us know how you get on with rheumy nurse tomorrow!
Thinking of you,

Lyn x

Hi there girls, well the nurse got back to me this afternoon. We had a good chat and I have agreed to try once more with only one per day, taken at either tea time or bed time. If the side effects happen again, then yes, totally stop them. She was fairly keen for me to try just one a day at least, and to be honest when I was taking one a day it was ok as long as I took it with loads of water! She did say that lots of people cant cope with the increase in the tablets.

Anyway, am going to give it a try and hopefully it will be ok, at least if not ive tried and can justify not taking them!!

Ho hum, anyway, have decided to start again Thursday night as I dont work Fridays. This is my mx night as well, has anyone got any tips on how to combat the nausea the next day with mx? Is it right that you can take half one day and half the next?

Cheers

Heatherxxxx

Hi Heather

Good result and worth a try. Let's hope one a day is enough to keep the RA at bay.

There are things you can do to cut down on Mtx side effects.

1.The dose can be split into 2 or 3 as long as it's taken within a 12 hour period. So you could do one dose at 8pm and one at 8am the following day, or split it throughout the day 8am, 2pm, 8pm. It's trial and error and doesn't work for everyone.
2.Ginger biscuits are great for combatting nausea.
3.Drink plenty of water before taking mtx.
4.The doctor can prescribe an anti sickness tablet which will help if things get bad.

Hope things improve for you very soon Heather,

Lyn x