So last night right after i upped my sulfasalazine dose the inside of my cheeks swelled up. My face looked big and puffy. I took some benadryl and it eventually went away. But it looks like i might be allergic to it. I called into my doctor and am still waiting for a call back.
Im a bit discouraged. I was hoping i would get lucky with this med. Im so new to PsA and im having a really hard time with the anxiety and worry about it. I just want to feel better again. I want to be able to wake up in the morning not in pain. I want to be brave and have courage to tackle this disease and get back to living my life but im having such a hard time doing that right now.
I dunno i guess its just a hard day and i needed to vent a little. I hope everyone is doing well.
I was taken off Enbrel and was started on sulfasalazine, and I developed a rash and many other bad side effects. My rheumy even tried to put me back on a smaller dose. When I first started I found I could not take methotrexate, but the biologics worked wonders for me. Don't be too down, it should get better when you find the right meds. I wish you the best of luck.
You'll do fine. Allergies are a wierd thing have you ever had a problem with sufla antibiotics or eggs??? Usiually not always a reaction shows up after the first dose. a sensitivity which shows up later can be for a lot of reasons and doeasn't necessarily preclude one from taking the drug. that would be cool if you got past it and relief from Sulfazine, its the easiest on you and has prolly the fewest side effects. BUT there are others so something will work (eventually) Feeling better will sneak up on you so, wait for it.
One technique that worked for me in the begining was doing a morning pain chart. How long I was stiff, How long different joints were stiff hurt etc. There generally is progress in those areas before you really know it. Gaining confidence you are gettin some (no matter how slow) progress eliminates a lot of anxiety. as the anxiety goes away so does some pain.
Remember form HS health anxiety, fear etc all effect the adrenal system juicing it... so to speak. most we of the drugs we take are designed to slooooow it down.
Are you taking anything else? Predi can cause those kind of problems along with supplements (Vit C does it to me) keep at it and keep us posted.
Thanks guys. yea i really hope eventually ill find something that works. I do have lots of food allergies, not to eggs though. I dont know if i have one to sulfa antibiotics or not, i dont think ive ever been on them before.
You are right that anxiety makes it worse. It does seem that when my anxiety is high, my symptoms are a lot worse. I do need to get control of that.
As far as other meds, im not taking anything else besides advil. And because benadryl did help the swelling go away, im assuming it is some time of allergic reaction.
I think anxiety and worry certainly make your symptoms worse…not just in PsA sufferers.
I have had to sit myself down and give myself a stiff talking to many a time.
I find Shibashi Tai Chi very good for chilling out and also helping my flexability
Hope you get some treatment that helps you but it is all trial and error with no quick fixes, once you start to get your head round it can get easier…don’t be so hard on yourself you will get there x
Despie my wife closing her eyes every time our boys ran a football,. we haven't missed a home football game in over 30 years. This includes the year my wife had a hysterectomy (the old way with a knife) the same week as the In state game. She hired a private nurse to check her and her IV's out of the hospital to get to the game. (She went back for 4 more days)
So when it was recommended folk with "copmromised" immune systems stay away last week because of the smoke from area forest fires, I figured I'd be staying Home (The smoke is so thick the Street lights never go off and visibility is less than one mileand planes arent' landing, why the game wasn't cancelled is beyond me) But before I knew it I had surgical mask on , she popped me a benedryl and we were off... Considering all the real HEAVY drugs I and every other PsA person takes what will a benedryl do than an Oxy won't?? I was told I had a wonderful time. was quite"active" I don't recall losing that much time since an Iron Butterfly concert in the 60's....
One never knows how a medication will effect us......
I am so sorry things are so tough for you right now but it will ease up. I agree with lamb, sometimes feeling better (physically and mentally) seems to sneak up the same way PsA sneaks up on some patients before they are diagnosed. I found for me when I stopped "fighting" the Psa and "accepted it" both body and mind became better. i have been a fighter all my life and I do not mean to imply I have allowed PsA to define me; quite the opposite. But I lost a lot of time and energy fighting PsA. Now I allow myself a nap or swim or massage when I need it, take my splints and cane and hand sanitizers when I go out and get on with my life. I am no longer allowed to do yoga which use to help but by accepting what was happrening to me and giving the meds time to work I was able to discover exercising, dancing and even yoga poses in a pool 86-92 degrees for $10 a week not far from my home. My answers undoubtedly will not be yours (viva la difference!) but you will find some that work for you I am sure. I am sending you hugs and prayers.
was awesome to read your comments Michael! I too have stopped fighting the PSA & instead and am TRYING to put my energy into enjoying the moments that are good and indulging myself in comforting strategies when required for the S#$t times
michael in vermont said:
Hi worrysport85,
I am so sorry things are so tough for you right now but it will ease up. I agree with lamb, sometimes feeling better (physically and mentally) seems to sneak up the same way PsA sneaks up on some patients before they are diagnosed. I found for me when I stopped "fighting" the Psa and "accepted it" both body and mind became better. i have been a fighter all my life and I do not mean to imply I have allowed PsA to define me; quite the opposite. But I lost a lot of time and energy fighting PsA. Now I allow myself a nap or swim or massage when I need it, take my splints and cane and hand sanitizers when I go out and get on with my life. I am no longer allowed to do yoga which use to help but by accepting what was happrening to me and giving the meds time to work I was able to discover exercising, dancing and even yoga poses in a pool 86-92 degrees for $10 a week not far from my home. My answers undoubtedly will not be yours (viva la difference!) but you will find some that work for you I am sure. I am sending you hugs and prayers.
worrysport, don't give up too soon, maybe the reaction will settle down?? Hope you hear from your doc soon!
I've had some pretty weirdo reactions to some meds since starting my PSA trip (previously NEVER had any allergies or reactions to anything) My dermy & physician keep reminding me about the inflammatory disease & compromised immune system I now have (as if one could forget LOL) and basically have told me to expect anything. I have several friends with MS and some of them have suddenly had reactions to their drugs after years of taking them. Go figure. Stay safe