Kickas.org Forums Treatments, Drugs and Alternatives NSD and diet-related; Sulfasalazine...!

I am on 95% NSD. 5% is for hiddden starch. I am doing my best on diet but still i am not feeling the full benefit from NSD. I have been on it for almost a year. It's not that i have not benefited form NSD but still the pain is in 3-4 every day.
Might be because i live in Seattle where it never and never Sunny. It might be couple of years before i leave this place for a warmer place. But for until then is it advisable to take Sulfasalazine in a lower dose for couple of years.
So my question is ... is it Ok to take Sulfasalazine for a short time period on and off? Do I have to take this medicine in a full dose if I decide to take it? Does Sulfasalazine work later lets say if i take it for lets say 3-4 months and off for 3-4 months and than back again? How bad is the Sun sensitivity while on this drug? What is the recommended least dose?

Hi Rajj,

I'm glad to hear you have made progress on the NSD. To achieve pain reductions to a level 3-4 is very good. It may take another year to get right down to level 1-2. Just keep at it. It takes time, but you are doing so well.

There is no problem with doing the NSD along with meds. The only meds that we would really want to avoid if possible would be NSAIDs and prednisone as these are very damaging to the gut whereas our goal is to heal the gut as much as possible.

Sulphasalazine can be effective for some so by all means try it if you wish. I have been told it can take 3-6 months to become effective. Also, I believe they need to start you on a low dose and slowly build up over a period of months to a level that will be effective and then maintain that level. So I'm not sure if taking it 3 months on and off here and there would work. Perhaps something to discuss with your doctor?

I'm not sure how bad the sun sensitivity is... it may be different for each individual. Use of sunscreen daily is probably a good idea though.

Good luck Rajj
Chelsea

i never had problems with sun sensitivity.. well no more than normal hehe im white white white... ive been taking it for 8 months now.. it didnt work for like 12 weeks but ive had almost no side effects.

not sure about doses you should check with a doc on that one. im on 2000mg a day which they gradually built up from 1000mg a day.

Enteric coated sulfasalazine can be an effective medecine to use in conjunction with the diet over a period of time, but it is important to have regular blood checks for side effects as well as to see if they are helping with reducing inflammation. I was put on the sulfa by Ebringer when he was also telling me to follow the diet, then he stopped prescribing it when he thought it was no longer necessary.

Hi SonjaZ! Have you had good relief from sulfasalazine?

Thanks

Farinelli

Farinelli,

Ive had pretty good relief.. I have alot of flexibility back. but unfortunately im still in pain.. it doesnt work on everyone.. but if it works its quite soft on the tummy etc.

Sonja

Since you live where it's not sunny much, do you get enough vitamin D3?