Lyn Yes, I've had my RA worsen after decreasing my plaquenil. It took some time for it to get back to "normal" for me along with also increasing my mtx.
Was this something you decided to do on your own? Or was it your doctors suggestion?
It was my Rheumys decision....he says I am in clinical remission and the only other meds I am on is the Pred and Sulfasalazine. Darned knees burning and sorish as are my wrists and shoulders. I could live with this so long as it doesnt get worse!! lolol
Have to admit though, I havent had my Tilcotil ( anti inflam) since before Christmas and cant/dont feel any swelling. May start that up again and see if there is a difference.
Lyn Well... I would not know LOL! I have not even started mine, and I was to start Plaquenil over 2 months ago. OPPS! I am going to start it this month. Have to go get my eyes checked before starting it, that is why it is taking so long. Just have not felt up to visiting Drs. But my hubby chipped one of my lenses, so now I need a new pair of glasses! I am calling to make an appt tomorrow, along with a few other Drs appt. It is time to visit them all again. UGH!
I cannot see without my glasses, and I cannot see my glasses without my glasses LOL! Hubby calls me Velma Dinkly... you know like off of Scooby-Doo. I LOVE Scooby-Doo only cartoon I will watch!
Lyn, I am not beating the AP drum here, but I stopped Plaquinel after starting AP. I didn't feel a bit different - no worse, no better. Those two incidents of left eye blindness when having the field vision tests for Plaquinel users were what made up my mind to quit. I hope its temporary for you and it doesn't get worse. Take care ~~ CathyI definitely worsened after going off plaq. I am still in early stages trying to get control with MTX. I felt the added pain was worth it to get off the steroid as my doctor said, "The chances of getting side effects from plaquenil are 100%. If you stay on it long enough, no matter how small the dosage, side effects will occur."About a year after I started taking Humira, I was doing so well that my RD suggested that I quit taking plaquenil. Within about 3 months, my symptoms started to creep back. I resumed taking plaquenil, and I became symptom free again fairly quickly. I then stopped taking MTX to see what would happen, and once again my symptoms began to slowly return. I resumed takin MTX, and my symptoms disappered. By themselves, plaquenil and MTX had become ineffective for me. In combination with Humira, they work great. My RD says that's the case for many of his patients ... they require more than one drug. I'll happily continue taking all 3 meds as long as they keep me in remission.
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