Hi,Hope every one is doing ok.I seen my Rheumatolagist today and she put me on PLAQUENIL 200mg.I was woundering if any of you'll are on this med?are if any one has took it before and how did it effect you?What kind of side-effect's did you have?Sorry for all the question's but really would appresate and info that I can get.Thanks
I've been on plaquenil for about a month now. The only side effects I've had so far has been mild abdominal cramping (nothing like what you would experience with IBD, though). That seems to have gone away now--only lasted the first couple of weeks. I understand it takes a long time for plaquenil for work, but overall it's a fairly good drug. It's the least toxic of all the dmards. I'd rather be on plaquenil than some other drugs, like methotrexate or immuran.
People I've talked to who have been on this drug for a long time (try the lupus forum) have told that plaquenil is wonderful for joint pains once it kicks in. I'm hoping to stop the enbrel once plaquenil kicks in.
Hey curley... there are a lot of people on the forum that is on plaquenil or have been at one point... I haven't been on it (yet) so I can't answer you questions, but I see ElCamino has taken care of you.. I'm sure more will be around here shortly to share their stories... good luck to you... DuckDiagnosed January 2005 - Psoriatic Arthritis/Spondylitis
-Currently taking 50mg shot weekly of Enbrel Diagnosed May 1998 - Graves Disease -Complete Thyroidectomy September 1998 - While 11 weeks pregnant Other Complications - GERD/Scoliosis/Hiatal Hernia/Graves Disease of the Eyes
Current Meds - Enbrel/Prevacid/Synthroid
Past Meds - Inderal/PTU/Prednisone/Voltaren/Feldene/Mobic/Cortisone and Steroid Shots
Hi Curly, I had been on Plaquenil for 8months. Sorry to say it did not work for me, but I do hope it works for you. I had been trying anything and everything that was the least toxic way to go but unfortunately I am about to go on Humira and not happy about it. Good luck with the Plaquenil. Everyone reacts differently to these drugs. It may be a great benefit to you. Caprie
Hi curley, I usually post on the lupus forum, but I saw your question, so here I am. I have been on plaquenil for almost 2 years and the only side effect I had were the same as elcamino mentioned. For the first few weeks it upset my stomach and gave me a little diarhea. Just make sure to take it with food and any stomach problems should go away after your body adjusts to it.
Plaquenil is a great med to try because there are so few side effects. You are supposed to get an eye exam every so oftem because of the possibility of a rare eye problem that can happen (but this is very unlikely at the dose that is prescribed for lupus or RA or other autoimmune diseases).
It can take several months to start to notice the benefits of plaquenil and up to 6 months especially with RA.
I've been on Plaquenil too for about a month and the first couple of weeks I had some mild stomach problems and some dizziness. That seems to have gone away now, and as long as I eat food before taking it I don't have any problems. My rheumy also suggested that it might help with my fatigue issues as well and I'm hopeful it will help with that along with the joint pain. Best of luck!
Kimberdx: asthma, anxiety, inflammatory arthritis, suspected Lupus or RA
Caregiver to hubby with PPMS
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Hey curley - how are you doing with the plaquenil?Diagnosed January 2005 - Psoriatic Arthritis/Spondylitis
-Currently taking 50mg shot weekly of Enbrel Diagnosed May 1998 - Graves Disease -Complete Thyroidectomy September 1998 - While 11 weeks pregnant Other Complications - GERD/Scoliosis/Hiatal Hernia/Graves Disease of the Eyes
Current Meds - Enbrel/Prevacid/Synthroid
Past Meds - Inderal/PTU/Prednisone/Voltaren/Feldene/Mobic/Cortisone and Steroid Shots
I've been on it for one year now....I am getting terrific results from it. Not as much of a 'miracle' drug as Remicade was before I started reacting to it, but, still better than I ever expected. I'm very happy with it so far.
I had some belly aches the for about a week or so, after that, I've been fine. If I have to stop taking it for a while for whatever reason, I get the stomach problems again when I start back up (and they go away again.)
I have been on Plaquenil for about 4 months now. I have not had any noticeable side effects from it so that is a plus. So far, it hasn't seemed to help a whole lot for the pain, but I do understand it can take quite a while to work. I'm hoping in another month or two, I'll start seeing some relief. Good luck with it.
Thank's every one I'am doing ok on it having alot of tummmy cramp's but I also have crohn's so that does not help much and I'am still having alot of joint pain but hope once it get's in my system it will help.I will keep every one posted on how I'am doing on this drug.Thanks
I have been taking it for about 3 mos. The Rheumy told me today to give it some more time. I also started the Methotrexate about a month ago. My vision seems a little blurrr, the Rheumy said she didn't think it was from the meds. I did seek eval from eye doc he confirmed that I need to be seen every 6 mos due to the plaqunel.
Good luck and keep us posted on how it works for you!
Take Care of You, TeeTrust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
Thank's TeeB,My Rheumy told me that it may take any where from three month's to six month's before I would feel it kicking in.I was told as well that i would have to have eye exames every six month's.I'm on 200mg aday what dosage are you on?Thanks
The opthamologist I saw a few months ago said he's never seen anyone w/eye problems from the plaquinil. He said "the dosages that they give nowadays...." - making me think they saw problems with much higher amounts a long time ago. I take 200 mg twice a day and he thought that was low.
i can't recall how long I was on it before I realized I was getting results from plaquenil. I do know it helps now and I've been on it for a year. Not much has helped me in the past, remicade and azulphidine are so far the other other 2 meds I actually had noticable results from in addition to plaquenil.
I've been been on Plaquenil for about 5 months and it has turned my life around! It took about 3-4 months before I really noticed a big change. Early on, I had some nausea, abdominal discomfort. I still have bad gas, but I read that this is typical. So, if you can deal with the side effects, there is hope!
My lupus is mild, so that may be why it works for me. I actually have energy again and can work as normal. My joint pains aren't totally gone, but much, much better!
Hi, Curley. I have pre-Lupus and osteoarthritis and have been on Plaquenil for about 6 months now. It worked miracles on my joint pain within weeks and I was lucky enough not to have an side effects. Wish it worked on the osteoarthritis (although I know I know that it's not for that), as the back pain is almost as bad as the joint pain used to be. But I have my hands back, both 90% pain-free and with most of my strength, although I can't write for long periods of time anymore. Thank God for typing! I do have the eye exams as well although I'm only on 400mg a day and my dr said the same thing about the low dosages for this never affect the retinas, really. Good luck - I really hope it works for you!
Hi,Hope every one is doing ok.I seen my Rheumatolagist today and she put me on PLAQUENIL 200mg.I was woundering if any of you'll are on this med?are if any one has took it before and how did it effect you?What kind of side-effect's did you have?Sorry for all the question's but really would appresate and info that I can get.