Sulfasalazine...Anyone ever been on this med. before?

I was just prescribed this for my Crohns because I could no longer afford the rediculous cost of Asacol ($400 a month). Anyways I was just wondering how peoples experiences with this went. I've read that while on it you should stay out of the sun, your skin can turn yellowish/orange and all kinds of things. Any insider info. anyone has would be appreciated.

Ive read that people have taken it in smaller ammounts at the start, then built up to taking more. Well my doc. prescribed me to take 2 large round pill 3 times a day, doesnt seem like he cared to start me on a smaller dose. Will I still be able to drink white wine? :p I hope because while on asacol, I have no problems having a glass of wine a couple nights a week.

I was on it for several years, never had a problem with wine, I wore sunscreen but didn't notice that the sun affected me anymore than before. One thing though- my local blood center banned me for life from giving blood b/c of this drug. Something about too many people having allergies to sulfa drugs. I think it's the strangest thing since I've been off the drug for years but I'm also always anemic so it's not like I could donate anyway. I just found it odd that I'm turned away not b/c of Crohn's but b/c I took sulfasalazine. I've asked about it more than once and got the same answer each time. I keep thinking they'll relax this restriction due to blood shortages but I haven't checked in awhile. Good luck with it, hope it works great for you!