Warning about sun sensitive meds...

[Rena705]

My name is Rena and I am from the MS Forum.  I have been diagnosed with MS but am currently living in limbo as my "MS Specialist" has deemed my MS "in-active" which I have been told by many is virtually impossible.  However, that is another story and that is not why I came here.

I am here to advise all of your members that it is imperative that they ensure that they check to see if there is a warning on any of the meds they are on regarding sun sensitivity.  I am currently on 40mg Elavil (amitriptyline)/daily for pain and on the weekend while I was fishing I became severely sunburned on my legs and arms.  My legs are now blistering and are extremely painful and I would like to save anyone else from going through this.

Please ensure that if any of the meds you are on cause you to be sun sensitive to take this side effect VERY SERIOUSLY!  Take the proper precautions using sunblock that is waterproof if you are going to be near the water and that it is of a sufficient strength to ensure that you don't burn.  I hope that this warning will save anyone from having to go through what I am...a very painful lesson!

Rena705

[Toomanyadvil]

Thank you Rena for giving this great reminder to everyone to read the warnings to the medications we are taking.
I think sometimes we all forget to make sure we research what were taking and make sure that we find out if there is anything we shouldnt be doing while taking the medication.  Especially during the summer months!

I really hope you legs are alot better today and the blisters and pain are healing and going away

TMA

[missywv]

Voltarin and Mobic (anti-inflammatories) both caused me to be super sun sensitive.  The Voltarin came with a warning on the prescription bottle, but the Mobic didn't.  With the Mobic, I got a light sunburn and ended up breaking out in sun poisoning.

Thanks for the warning reminder!

[sandee1818]

Hi, Rena705.
Thank you for letting everyone know about this. This is an excellent post! We all have things we know that would be beneficial to others and it's great to see members posting these kinds of things!
I have experienced this too, I was on elavil for awhile for my fibromyalgia and was unaware of the sun sensitivity.The Dr seen I was a person who enjoys a tan and did not warn me and got in the tanning bed, a usual thing for me to do  and because I go a lot I stay in for the maximum time allowed. The first day after I started this drug I went to the tanning spa and boy! was I burned. My husband got so upset he told me to stay out of them. Well I came about this information the painful way so thanks to your post someone else will be spared our pain. Thanks!