My previous blog mentioned how I had stopped Methotrexate. I had been waiting for my appointment with my Rheumatologist. Well yesterday I met with him for the first time in a while! Insurance prices are just so expensive; I can’t wait till I finally have better health care. So during my appointment I went over with him what medications I was still on and which I had stopped. I really thought that he would be mad that I had stopped taking MTX (Methotrexate) without him knowing, but hey it’s my body right?
So I told him and he actually wasn’t upset after I explained my reasoning. I explained that I knew what I was doing and how long I should wait before conceiving a child, etc.. I had done my research beforehand to make sure I was in the clear (since I knew I couldn’t afford the extra doctor appointment to confirm my research) and wouldn’t be making any mistakes. Then he took a look at my joints in my hands, asked about my feet. I told him my feet always hurt even when on MTX and he said he would ask for x-rays but since I’m not sure if I am pregnant already he would hold off on that for now. So I am continuing with Enbrel unless I end up pregnant and he offered for me to take another medication called Sulfasalazine.
“Sulfasalazine is used to treat bowel inflammation, diarrhea (stool frequency), rectal bleeding, and abdominal pain in patients with ulcerative colitis, a condition in which the bowel is inflamed. Sulfasalazine delayed-release (Azulfidine EN-tabs) is also used to treat rheumatoid arthritis in adults and children whose disease has not responded well to other medications. Sulfasalazine is in a class of medications called anti-inflammatory drugs. It works by reducing inflammation (swelling) inside the body.”
He said this Sulfasalazine works similar to Methotrexate. I asked him about the side effects and he said it was less then MTX. So I told him that I would give it a try because this is safe to take if pregnant and he said I most likely will go into remission once I am pregnant. However the downside is that with this medicine I have to get blood drawn every six weeks. Which I hate doing! I have tattooes (that I can handle) but when it comes to blood being drawn it really freaks me out! Overall, it was a good appointment and I’m happy and eager to try this new medication to see how it works for me and how it will compare to Methotrexate. Hopefully I won’t wake up with flares in the mornings anymore.
