Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Side Effects?

Hi

I would love to know what experiences you guys have had with Sulfasalazine/Plaquenil & Vioxx. Are the side effects as bad as they sound? Does this medication stop the fusing? Like what exactly does it actually do?

I've got about five million questions & don't feel comfortable taking all this med.

Thanks for your replies.

Take Care
Ann

p.s. as you can see I don't know how to use all the pretty pictures everyone else does!!!!

Hi Ann,

I have not had experience with any of these meds, but take a look in the pharmacy section for info on side effects. I have heard good things about Vioxx, but I know it can cause high blood pressure so that's something to watch, and you should have bloodwork to check liver enzymes and maybe some other things. I know how it feels to be so scared to take a med, I have taken some stuff that sounded like it would kill me when I read the patient inserts, but I rarely have strange side effects. Remember they have to report everything that anyone felt, which may not have even been related to the drugs! I am sure you will be fine, and that someone else will be along with more info on the drugs you mention.

In the meantime, I will be waiting for the other 4,999,997 questions

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Kristin

TODAY IS NOT A DRESS REHEARSAL!!

Hi Ann,

I can't answer your question re the side effects of these drugs as I don't ever use this stuff.

Don't feel bad about not knowing how to use the pretty pictures like everyone else does. I've been hanging around here for a long time and I don't use the pretty pictures either (even though I know how). Maybe we are both closet introverts?

George

Breb Assyl

Hi,
I take sulfasalazine and vioxx both. The most side effects I have experienced was with sulfasalazine which included sour stomache and very bright orange urine. The vioxx hasn't really effected me yet but some people have said that they get an elevated b.p. with it. As long as your doctor starts you out on low doses at first you should tolerate both med's very well. You should make sure your doctor keeps a close eye on the complete blood count test and the liver function tests to make sure everything stays okay. These tests should be run every 3 months when you first start taking vioxx and sulfsalazine. After you have been on the meds for a while then your doctor may decide to do the tests every 6 months. If your skin becomes jaundiced (turns yellow) then you should get in to a doctor right away, but I haven't heard anyone say this has happened to them. That is a sure sign that something has gone wrong with your liver or pancreas. But Like I say, with any medication, always insist that the blood tests are done regularly. Other wise just take them as perscribed and you should be okay.


Somedays it just doesn't pay to get out of bed.

Can't help with the meds, but if you want to know about the pretty pictures and stuff...

Just go to the top of your page, under the banner and click on Old Forum, go to FAQs and it will show you how to do stuff like this .

and how to put an image in your text (like lots of us have at the bottom).

Just click on what you want to do...

oh and WELCOME if I haven't already said so

Take care
Justine
To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.

Hi, Ann,

New meds are always a big question, and we each react differently to different meds. It's something for you to discuss with your doctor. My story has a happy ending, so don't be afraid to try either.

Vioxx was the last NSAID I tried. It caused my hands and feet to swell, my blood pressure to go out of sight, and I eventually broke out in hives. Not everyone's reaction, but at least I know it's not right for me and I'll not take any more. Sulfasalazine was the first really nasty med I took. Made me extremely nauseaous, filled my mouth with bleeding sores, and affected my hair and nails. Some people take it just fine, and it helps them a lot. I was told to just tough it out. I lasted 3 weeks, then I decided I'd rather have the AS.

I recommend starting any med out with a small dose. Then if you need more, take more. If less works, you're fine. And if you have a bad reaction to something, hopefully it will be minimized. And if something doesn't work for you, don't be afraid to try something else. I've had bad reactions to every drug I've tried up til this year. But now I'm on Enbrel, and doing wonderfully. So keep trying, eventually you'll find something that works.

Hugs,

Cindy

I use Sulfasalazine (along with Methotrexate and Naprosyn) and it seems to work for me. The only side effect I seen was the bright orang urine.
Sulfasalazine is what the call a DMARD (Disease-Modifying Anti- Rheumatic Drugs)and they are designed to slow down thebiological processes that are the driving force behind the persistant inflamation. They are also a slow reacting drug that can take up to 6 weeks or more to take effect. They are usually used along with NSAID'S which are more fast acting.
I hope this was helpful.
Dan.


Who knows what the drugs will do to us?

Hi Ann...

A few things about these meds, first...i took sulfa for 1 week and landed in the hospital, i did an alergic reaction to it...it was killing my blood cells, i thought i was going to die, i thought the inside of my belly was going to explode. For the vioxx, i'm on it now, have been using it for about 2 months now, i see no side affects yet...and hope not to see any.lol

I have not been feeling to good these day's, my hip and leg is killing me real bad. And not to forget the stupid migrains lately.Well it's enough of my complaining here.lol

For me the best resolt for my a/s was celebrex and i will be going back to them when i run out of vioxx.

Michel

What are you using for your migraines, Michel? I have had excellent success with Imitrex by injections (also available in nasal spray and tablets). I hope you can find something that works for ALL your symptoms!

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Kristin

TODAY IS NOT A DRESS REHEARSAL!!

thanks Krystyn...i will write this down and talk about it to my doctor...i go see him on the 18th of this month...right now i take nothing for the migrains...i figured i took enough chemicals, i don't need more i guess...lol

Thanks a million.

Michel