Re: newby-sulfasalazine & swollen glands

[Guest guest]

Hi, Chris. Yes, I have a similar experience with methotrexate (MTX). I

have no trouble tolerating it at relatively low doses and my liver blood work

is

consistently normal, however, on the two occasions where we have

experimented with raising my MTX dose to 25mg per week, my liver readings have

shot way

up. As soon as MTX is cut back, normal liver readings return. So, yes, I

think it is possible that increasing your sulfasalazine caused you to have an

adverse reaction. A side effect of many of our drugs, by the way, is " flu

like symptoms " so you are not wrong for thinking that this is POSSIBLY caused

by

the increased dose of sulfasalazine. BTW, I am allergic to sulfa drugs and

I understand that sulfa allergies are fairly prevalent. You should be tested

to see if you are allergic.

Kathy F.

In a message dated 10/19/2006 9:40:00 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,

ellis1@... writes:

Hi - I've been reading through the posts and have found all the info very

helpful. I'm a 45

year old female and like many of you, had years of misdiagnoses

(fibromyalgia,

depression, lack of exercise, osteoarthritis)depression, lack of exercise,

osteoar

swollen finger joints, hip pain, generalized leg pain, fatigue. Finally

diagnosed a few weeks

ago w/PsA, after tons of bloodwork (all negative) an extensive history &

x-rays. Started on

500 mg sulfasalazine 2x a day 2 weeks ago. (Have only had minor side

effects: some

fatigue, which I solved by changing timing on first dose, and seems like

some achiness,

although other places that WERE achy aren't as bad).

Here's my problem: On Wednesday my doc said to double my dosage. I had labs

done that

day, which were fine. I wanted to increase more slowly, so I just took 3

that day instead of

4. The morning after I increased my dosage (yesterday), I woke up with very

swollen

lymph nodes on one side of my neck, under my jaw toward the front. Called

the doc, and

was told by the nurse that he said it's not the pills, it's probably a

virus, but not to take

any more until I see my PCP. Does this make any sense to anyone? I'm pretty

upset about

it, as it seems so illogical. I have no fever, sore throat or any other

virus-like symptoms. I

haven't even seen my PCP since my diagnosis, have no idea what she even know

about PsA

or this med - she's a family practice doc who diagnosed my hand problems as

osteo, this

was before I broke out with a patch of P on my knee all last winter.

Any thoughts on the swollen glands as a sulfasalazine side effect? Do you

think my doc's

advice is illogical (I feel like he's just blowing me off - I'm a new

patient to him, have only

seen him once!) My gut feeling is it's unrelated, but I've never had this

before. I do have

some hay fever-type allergies right now, feel it might be that. I have an

appt. at the

rheumy next monday. I'm leaning toward just continuing w/the 2 pills till I

see him

Monday and not wasting time/money seeing my PCP.

Also would love to try the 1000 mgs of sulfa a little longer before DOUBLING

it, any

thoughts on that??

Thank you all so much, you don't know how much all your notes have helped me

feel

better (like I'm not crazy or a lazy bum!), just knowing I'm not the only

one that's been

dealing with this has really improved my mood.

in TX

*Apologizes in advance if this is asking too much medical advice for this

forum, just

thought someone out there might have experienced something similar.

[Guest guest]

Hey Chris...welcome to the group. I hope you find some answers. I have

not shared this exact same problem but have had confusing symptoms

leaving me unsure of which " ologist " to call....the Rheumatologist, the

Hematologist (I have an iron disorder), the Opthalmologist, or the

Neurologist....oh yeah....or do I call the Urologist? I usually

resolove to calling my PCP who is in internal medicine and let him

decide. That's what he makes the big bucks for. I think as important as

your Rheumy will be to your life and well-being, a good primary care

doctor that you feel extremely comfortable with and trust is key in

helping you manage your health. Best wishes... -Betz

[Guest guest]

Hi

I also just had a bout with the swollen lymph nodes in my neck and I was out of

state and wondering what to do about seeing a doctor, ( I belong to Kaiser and

they are not available where I was) when it all went away. I take only MTX, but

I was under some stress and very tired from a long drive, so these may be two

different ailments. I only wanted to let you know that I have fibromyalgia

along with PA and I have read that there is some involvement of the lymph nodes

with fibro and more research is supposedly being done for a conection. If it is

a virus, it just has to run it's course anyway, doesn't it?

Janet in Ca

-------------- Original message --------------

From: " Ellis " <ellis1@...>

> Hi - I've been reading through the posts and have found all the info very

> helpful. I'm a 45

> year old female and like many of you, had years of misdiagnoses (fibromyalgia,

> depression, lack of exercise, osteoarthritis). Current issues are a couple of

> painful/

> swollen finger joints, hip pain, generalized leg pain, fatigue. Finally

> diagnosed a few weeks

> ago w/PsA, after tons of bloodwork (all negative) an extensive history &

x-rays.

> Started on

> 500 mg sulfasalazine 2x a day 2 weeks ago. (Have only had minor side effects:

> some

> fatigue, which I solved by changing timing on first dose, and seems like some

> achiness,

> although other places that WERE achy aren't as bad).

> Here's my problem: On Wednesday my doc said to double my dosage. I had labs

done

> that

> day, which were fine. I wanted to increase more slowly, so I just took 3 that

> day instead of

> 4. The morning after I increased my dosage (yesterday), I woke up with very

> swollen

> lymph nodes on one side of my neck, under my jaw toward the front. Called the

> doc, and

> was told by the nurse that he said it's not the pills, it's probably a virus,

> but not to take

> any more until I see my PCP. Does this make any sense to anyone? I'm pretty

> upset about

> it, as it seems so illogical. I have no fever, sore throat or any other

> virus-like symptoms. I

> haven't even seen my PCP since my diagnosis, have no idea what she even know

> about PsA

> or this med - she's a family practice doc who diagnosed my hand problems as

> osteo, this

> was before I broke out with a patch of P on my knee all last winter.

> Any thoughts on the swollen glands as a sulfasalazine side effect? Do you

think

> my doc's

> advice is illogical (I feel like he's just blowing me off - I'm a new patient

to

> him, have only

> seen him once!) My gut feeling is it's unrelated, but I've never had this

> before. I do have

> some hay fever-type allergies right now, feel it might be that. I have an

appt.

> at the

> rheumy next monday. I'm leaning toward just continuing w/the 2 pills till I

see

> him

> Monday and not wasting time/money seeing my PCP.

> Also would love to try the 1000 mgs of sulfa a little longer before DOUBLING

it,

> any

> thoughts on that??

> Thank you all so much, you don't know how much all your notes have helped me

> feel

> better (like I'm not crazy or a lazy bum!), just knowing I'm not the only one

> that's been

> dealing with this has really improved my mood.

> in TX

> *Apologizes in advance if this is asking too much medical advice for this

forum,

> just

> thought someone out there might have experienced something similar.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 19/10/2006 13:39:52 GMT Standard Time, ellis1@...

writes:

I've been reading through the posts and have found all the info very helpful.

I'm a 45

year old female and like many of you, had years of misdiagnoses

(fibromyalgia,

depression, lack of exercise, osteoarthritis)depression, lack of exercise,

osteoarthri

swollen finger joints, hip pain, generalized leg pain, fatigue. Finally

diagnosed a few weeks

Hi

Welcome to the group. I hope someone was able to help you ok with your

questions.

Take care,

[Guest guest]

WOW!!! I guess I'm not alone!! I am 31 and was diagnosed with PA

last month after 3 months of jaw pain, then severe heel spurs and

then swelling and pain in feet, toes, finger, hip, ankles, back etc.

I started on sulfa end of Dec. I have been feeling SO tired and

nobody seems to understand. I just recently had severe swelling of

gland on one side of neck under jaw. It was so bad, it completely

eliminated the contour from my jaw to my neck.....and was so painful!

It lasted 2 days and is now gone, but I still have brutal pain in my

jaw....causes headaches all day! I am feeling the depression setting

in more each day and just don't have the energy to do anything about

it. Over Christmas I had to be pushed in a wheel chair to do any

shopping because my feet were in so much pain. Been off work for

almost 3 months now...... does anyone have any success stories

related to using Sulfa.....I want to start planning my wedding and

have children in the near future as well as get back to my active

lifesyle......I am really scared!

jana....ont., Canada

[Guest guest]

I've been on sulfasalazine for about 7 months now. Had to stop the mtx because

of bad lab results. i had to start off on a low dose to let the mtx leave my

system, then he raised my med. I take 2 tablets in the am and I take 3 at

bedtime with naproxin. I'm doing fine. it seems to work for me. and it is much

easier on my system, or so the doc tells me. I still take folic acid but i only

take it about 4 days a week. and I take my labs every 4 months now. IT DID TAKE

SOME TIME. the pain was so bad he considered putting me on humira, but I wanted

to give the sulfasalazine another couple of weeks. and I'm glad I did. I still

take the naproxin but only at bedtime. I still have some pain in my feet once in

awhile and my fingers still swell but not anything I can't handle. It just means

I've over done it and I need to slow down some. I am wearing all my rings again

and I give 150 % at work. so for now I'm comfortable with it.....give it a

chance. It might be painful at first but it

does take a while to build up in your body. That is why people who stop taking

mtx think they are ok. It can take weeks for the body to rid itself of the drug.

and when it does, the pain comes back. good luck......casey