I was diagnosed with RA April 2009. Its been quite a roller coaster from thinking I was not going to let this rule my life and taking anything I was offered, to being in hospital on bed rest because my joints were so inflamed I couldn’t move. I started on Mex and naproxen, with steroids added every now and then, next hydroxychloroquine was added and bringing the meds up to date Salazopyrin, I am still getting the flares, but what is realy bugging me is the salaz have stained my other wise white teeth orange! Any one else had this problem?

Hello Rosemary and welcome to the forum. You are right when you say the time after diagnosis is a rollercoaster.

I was diagnosed in Jan 2006, and was initially put on salazopryn. I was on it for 6 months, but don`t remember it staining my teeth. It didn`t work for me, and I moved on to methotrexate, cyclosporin, and leflunomide - on their own or in combination. Sometimes it takes a long time to find a drug combo that works, but once they do things should improve. If you are still having flares they might increase the dosage. Have you had a steroid injection to kick start the meds?

By the way, I`m Kathleen, and we live in Durham. My younger son & his family live in York, at Rawcliffe.

Take care,

Kathleen x

Hi Rosemary,

Welcome to the forum but sorry you have RA!
I'm 60 and have had RA for 9 years, now on mtx and humira.
I was born and brought up in York (Acomb and Bishopthorpe) and my sister and brother still live their with their families.
Looking forward to getting to know you.

Love, Doreen xx

Hello Rosemary


My name is Lorna and I am new too. I had staining of my teeth too on Sulfaszalazine, it went when they stopped the tablets, I no longer need them. Hope things get better for you too. Everyone seems so friendly, its nice people understand. Take care x

Not only orange wee but fluorescent wee as well

Hi Rosemary

Welcome to the forum. I'm Lyn, married to Mike, with four children (22,16,16 and 15) all in various stages of education and costing us a fortune! We live in Thornton Cleveleys, Lancashire (close to, but not that near Blackpool!!!!!). I have had RA for almost 22 years and run the gamut of medication and various joint surgeries.

Sometimes, but perhaps not in your case, it can be the teeth at fault rather than the meds! If the enamel is not particularly strong/hard the softer layer underneath can actually absorb colourings etc and lead to the teeth becoming stained. I believe this can be helped by asking your dentist to apply a layer of hardener over the teeth to prevent this. One of my sons loves fresh orange juice and as good as it is it does cause some staining in him. Our dentist noticed straight away and dealt with it. He has had the enamel 'painted' a few times to prevent damage. I'm surprised your dentist hasn't said anything but may be worth mentioning. Good luck!

I was on Salazopyrin for a time but like most of the stuff I've had it just didn't work for me! Everyone's different though so hope you get a good result

Look forward to getting to know you,

Lyn x

Hi Rosemary

come and meet us at Leiscester 24 April at the hilton hotel for lunch £15
our 3rd forum get together

some people staying over for weekend


i am christine had R.A and overlap scleroderma for about 3 years
married with a son at uni

love christine

Hello everyone!!

Thank you for the reply’s, I should have been on here a lot sooner, I didn’t realise how isolated I have been feeling until now even with a supportive family, I am trying the capacious water to cut down on the ulcers, going to try strawberries what a great excuse Its just great that I am not on my own with orange wee and i dont have to expain myself. Thank you Rosy