Can't get GP or NHS24 to take this seriously. Feeling really flu-ey, and its not got better (after I should be getting used to it). GP says just drop back on tab and keep on taking. NHS24 is getting GP to contact me again but is inclined to say keep taking. Made the mistake of googling ""flu-like illness and sulfasalazine" and it says STOP taking - unusual and severe reaction.

Don't know what to do. So desperately want this stuff to work for me, but right now scared to take this dose.

Can you ask your GP to get liver enzymes tested? Also, if I were you I would take my pulse and temperature. It has some similarities to goitrogens. Goitrogens make some people very hypothyroid. Also, if you have soda handy, you can add a pinch of salt and sip on that just in case you are dehydrated from it. If you have green tea, I would drink some of that, too, just in case your blood isn't circulating right.

I wouldn't take a chance on even one more dose. Did you read the othe possible side effects?

Hey cemc,

I don't know how long you have been on this or what dose you've reached... but I think missing this med for a day or two until you are able to get in touch with the prescribing doctor for advice would probably be fine. Unlike other drugs, ssz has a cumulative effect (builds up in your system) - it ramps down slowly as well, I think.

Trust your judgement. If you're scared to take the dose then hold off until you can reach your doc. Your body may be trying to tell you something that is worth listening to. In the meantime, definitely don't drink alcohol (in case that's not obvious).

I took it for years with no problems, but we are certainly all different.

Good luck! It is rotten to be feeling negative side effects.

i'm with mig, trust your instincts and if you're afraid to take the next dose, then just wait.

i know when i realize a drug's side effect is intolerable and i tell my doctors i had to stop, they have always been totally understanding.

hope you feel better soon

Thanks all. I didn't take it last night (just the morning 500 mg pill yesterday) and today, for the first time since I did the last increase a week ago I have woken up feeling human. Still in pain, but human, no fever, and no flu-like aches (though still a bit of a cough). Half life of SSZ appears to be 10 hours or so, so it would figure that if it was the SSZ I should be feeling somewhat better. I can't quite believe that I let myself keep on feeling so bad for nearly a week, though I have had two GP visits and a phone call in that time, neither of which was helpful.

I did get doctors advice yesterday and it was to continue taking it - in spite of NHS protocols clearly stating "fever/flu-like illness - STOP drug, unusual hypersensitivity reaction". More googling has shown me that this kind of hypersensitivity reaction can occur any time within the first month of taking it. That fits.

I will talk to my GP more about this, because I suspect that the problem is partly caused by the fact that they haven't actually been given the NHS "shared care protocol", and yet was expected to monitor me for things they may never have had experience of. Somehow I also need to get a message to the rheumatologist about what has happened, which is going to be difficult as I have been given no way of contacting him and no contact details for a rheumatology specialist nurse or any other support. That stinks when you are being given drugs like this that really do need skilled follow up and monitoring.

Hope you feel better cemc.
I got headaches from sulfasalizine but I don't recall any flulike symptoms. Hope it all works out soon. Take care.

Hi


I got headaches also from SSZ. I can't imagine taking it when you have flu symptoms. That would be enough to quit it for me .


Janet