Ok - Here I am, a month into my diagnosis of RA. I saw my doctor yesterday and he mentioned wanting to start me on Methotrexate. This drug scares me, for some reason. So, he offered Sulfasalazine as the alternative. Told me to research both drugs over the next few weeks and let him know my preference.

I am starting to lean towards the Sulfa. It seems to have less/better side effects than Methotrexate and I just feel like it would be better to "ramp up" on the meds. Has anyone been on this? Effectiveness? Side Effects?

Thanks much!!!!!!!! :-)

[This message has been edited by Hellokitty1973 (edited 08-07-2002).]

I may have my information wrong, or this may just be my Rheumie but she will not but me on meth. until after I am done having kids. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/nono.gif She feels the process of coming off the meth. is too risky. She feels this way about a couple of the drugs, doesnt want me to stop...start...stop...start. That is why she wants me to begin the plaquenil.

Again this may just be her preference but I know you and I are in the same boat as far as wanting to get pregnant in the future so just thought I'd share that info.

Aren't you on the Plaquenil now? Is it not working?

Hope your hanging in there!

Ang

Hi Angela74 -

I am on Plaquenil, but I guess they want to treat this "aggressively." They think I may already have some joint erosion in my elbow and toe. I am really turned off by MTX for the same reasons as you (pregnancy, etc). I am really interested that your doctor said she doesn't want to go there til after your childbearing is over. Luckily, my doctor told me the sulfasalazine was an alternative and I looked into it and it doesn't seem as strong as the MTX. However, I am going for a second opinion in September and I just found out that my brother has a friend who is head of a rheumatology dept. at a hospital near me. Sooo..I am getting more that one opinion before starting the MTX. The best thing he said was not to sweat RA. Sure it's a shock, but there are so many treatment options, you don't nearly see the worst case scenarios anymore. He also said not to be afraid of the MTX, but I am looking forward to meeting with him.

I was really upset when my doctor mentioned it. Especially since we haven't even started to see if the Plaquenil is effective. I think I am finally starting to feel better - But I also think this wonderful Northeastern weather is helping. The hot, humid weather makes me ache!!!!

Keep me posted on your progress!

Just bumping this up again to see if anyone has used this drug for RA....

Thanks!

The first med I took when i was diagnosed (nov 99) was sulfasalazine. i got all the side effects; stomach ache, head ache, nausea, perspiration, loss of appetite etc. and even when combined with gold injections and later hydroxychloroquine (such a tricky word to spell..!) it didn't help me at all and my RA just kept getting worse. finally my doctor agreed to drop sulfasalazine and later gold because that combination wasn't working.

i too was really dreading MTX, to me it seemed the end of the world having to take such a strong med in this age (was 25 then). however, i was having problems with my knees as they were swelling up and in general my condition was quite bad. so i agreed to start taking MTX. i have been taking it for 1,5 years now and have had just slight nausea the day after taking my weekly dose. i've had no other side effects. and MTX did stop my RA for over a year.

in my case however, getting flu viruses 5 months ago got my RA going again and it seems now that even MTX can't control it, although i haven't been to my doctor yet to discuss possibly increasing the dosage. i'm trying to cope and am looking into alternative treatment before going back to the doctor. even now my biggest (and more or less only) problem is my right knee which won't calm down, otherwise i'm doing fine.

i hope sulfasalazine works for you!!! i have heard about people who've only had to take sulfa and that's been it. however, if you do end up taking MTX i can tell you that it isn't the end of the world. and it is a very effective med.

it won't stay in your system forever, so you will be able to have children if you want. i guess pregnancy itself is a threat to RA as i've heard of several cases where after giving birth RA has gotten really bad and led to surgery and joint replacement. however, that can't be the case with everyone!

all the best, anu