u/watermol

Hi all! I was just here about a week ago asking about Methotrexate. Thank you all so much for your responses, they were very helpful and insightful. I really appreciate it!

I just saw my doctor again and she has now suggested, that as my PsA is on the milder side, to start with Sulfasalazine alone and if it worsens or doesn’t improve, to add on/replace with Methotrexate.

Most people here seem to be on a combination of both, and I haven’t heard much about Sulfasalazine. Just curious as to how effective Sulfasalazine is? Is it worth it to hold off on Methotrexate?

Thank you guys so much!

Hi everyone. I’ve just been diagnosed with PsA at 26, but my symptoms, for now, are still quite mild. Daily aches in my knees, wrists, elbows and fingers are on a “if I don’t think about it I don’t notice it” level and flare-ups with swelling and ballooning only really happens if I have my trigger foods (alcohol especially). I barely have any active skin rashes. Before, I’d been treating the flare-ups with OTC creams/ointments/patches like Tiger Balm, Mentholathum, Salonpass and, if it’s really bad, muscle gels like Voltaren or NSAIDs like Naproxen. It’s been unpleasant but okay.

My doctor has been pretty aggressive at starting me on a once-a-week oral methotrexate treatment to prevent further cartilage damage, but I’m concerned about the side effects and I live an hour away from the hospital; the regular blood draws will be very taxing on me. What has everybody’s experience been like? Is this really the only course of action I have for…forever? It’s hard not to feel hopeless about this. I don’t know what to do.

I’m quite active and enjoy gymming and bouldering 2-3x a week. Will that also have to stop? Appreciate any advice you have.