Bewildered | Arthritis Information

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My husband called yesterday and told me he had spoken with my fantastic family practitioner.  The computers were down and his cell was the only one she could find.  Moving on, she was calling me to tell me she had called in a script for Quinine Sulphate.

This is the same drug I was on say 8 months ago, but it was pulled by the pharmacies, so I got switched to Plaquenil (this is all for leg cramps, the rheumy didn't want to put me on Plaquenil, but he did as a substitute). 
 
So I have weaned off the MTX (hard thing to do over the holidays) and the Plaquenil (a breeze), saw this doctor last week, and my labs are perfect.  We discuss a few things, and I see her again in two months, that's it. 
 
So she kept working my file for a week and found how to get this medication prescribed afterall?  I am bewildered.  First of all, why it was pulled?  Secondly, the pamphlet has a big thing at the top saying the FDA has proven this doesn't work for leg cramps.  And thirdly, when I briefly told her about these leg cramps, I just said I would deal with them - my foster Mom was there, she suggested (again) tonic water.
 
I am just getting the beginnings of the feeling in my toes of these cramps starting again.  I swear I could get an award in Hollywood this cramp is so spectacular when it happens.  I am starting to lose some muscle mass in one toe, with some wierd pitting happening. 
 
I am just bewildered.  And I felt so good I got a pedicure over the weekend and worked in  open-toed shoes with slight heels yesterday for the first time in maybe a year.  I feel so good I don't want to start this drug.  I will definitely have to speak with her, but to have a doctor do something for me like this is mind blowing.  I love her.  Cathy
Yeah, that is kinda odd. Glad the cramps are getting better. And ya got a good RD. JSMN -
 
Have you looked at your mineral labs?  Are they low?  You might be able to reduce the leg cramps with upping potassium. 
 
I'll send email later today. 
 
Hugs,
 
Pip
Perhaps, just perhaps, this might answer a few of your questions, Cathy:

Quinine Q & A

Happ - you are a doll.  That's exactly what she prescribed, Qualaquin.  So only FDA-approved drugs are prescribed, and that blows my mind even more because I didn't even know you could get prescribed drugs that weren't FDA approved.  That was quite an eye-opening read. 

I thought this was related to my full blown sciatica in Dec 05, and finally had microdisc surgery in 03/06, but the surgeon said it couldn't be related.  That was when they discovered I had suddenly developed four collapsed discs.  Which I think was a warning of my osteoporosis, but nothing backs up that that hypothesis of mine.  Or its the magical nodule in my right hip that shows up when the right anatomic terms are used pressing on the nerve.  Or its ______________. 
 
I still am not starting it unless I have to.  I don't want to rock this boat, and my boat is in smooth waters right now.  Thanks again, Happ, great find. 

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