plaquenil | Arthritis Information

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Hi

I have been living with RA for about 2 years. I am 39 years old and have 2 kids, one age 2, the other age 4.

I have been on Minocycline, but went off at Christmas to see what would happen. It's taken a while, but i"m in full blown flare mode now.

I am debating going on Plaquenil and would appreciate any insights or side effect info. I may take it alone or in combo with mino.

thanks.

CdnDreamI've been taking plaquenil for about 17 years now.  On it's own it did nothing for me and I did have a rash shortly after starting it.  I went off for a few months but it was again added to the mtx I then was taking and seemed to really help at that time.  No rash the second time I took it and so I've been on it since along with mtx and sulfasalazine. 

Just make sure to have regular eye exams while taking plaquenil.
Overall..I think plaquenil is pretty mild with very few (for me) side effects.
Good Luck!
Plaquenil was my first DMARD.  For the first week and a half, I experienced waves of nausea.  It took about 2 months to kick in, but once it did, it worked really well for me for the first 2 years.  I still take it in conjunction with my Enbrel.I am suppose to be on plaquenil, I just have not gotten around to getting my eyes checked yet. I have been on it a many of years ago. It done nothing for me then. RD hopes it will help me inconjunction with Remicade, MTX, & Prednisone.
 
I did not have any side effects when I was on it those many of years back. Just did not work for me.

Thanks so much for your thoughtful replies.

I have low WBC (white cell count) and so MTX is not recommended for me.   

My doc said I could take Sulfasalazine (sp?) if I wanted to.... very unsure of what to do.

I tried Sulfasalazine once.  I didn't even make it up to the full dosage.  I had horrible abdominal problems with it.  Of course, that doesn't mean you would have those same side effects.
 
So, is the doc asking you to pick between the Plaquenil and the Sulfasalazine?  The only thing I hate about taking the Plaquenil is the yearly eye exams.  Dang, I hate eye exams.  I'd rather have a root canal.
[QUOTE=kweenb] The only thing I hate about taking the Plaquenil is the yearly eye exams.  Dang, I hate eye exams.  I'd rather have a root canal.[/QUOTE]
What bothers you about eye exams? 
I have been taking a plaquenil/sulfasalazine combo for nearly 18 months now with no side effects and I am doing well.  Took 400mgs Plaq daily for a year and now down to 200 mgs.
I realise it doesnt work for everyone but sure is worth a try? Also, my Rheumy never got my eyes tested, said complications were so rare as not to be important.
 
Good luck, and hope you find a combo that works for you. I can't stand for anyone to mess with my eyes.  I'd never be able to get contacts, for sure.  I also hate the 2 hour exams, the dilated eyes, etc. 
 
My mom had her catarac surgery taped.  I was so creeped out, I couldn't watch it all.
kweenb2009-07-15 14:59:59ohh..it's never bothered me, but now the dentist...that's another thing I hope he is right!
 
[/QUOTE]
 
LyndeeNZ, my opthamologist said the same thing.
[QUOTE=kweenb][QUOTE=LyndeeNZ]Also, my Rheumy never got my eyes tested, said complications were so rare as not to be important.  I hope he is right!
 
[/QUOTE]
 
LyndeeNZ, my opthamologist said the same thing.
[/QUOTE]
 
Well an Opthamologist shoud know so thats comforting news! [QUOTE=kweenb]I can't stand for anyone to mess with my eyes.  I'd never be able to get contacts, for sure.  I also hate the 2 hour exams, the dilated eyes, etc. 
 
My mom had her catarac surgery taped.  I was so creeped out, I couldn't watch it all.
[/QUOTE]
well the good news is that the ACR has updated their requirements for eye checkups with plaquenil.  After a clear baseline assuming you aren't at high risk (liver disease, over 60 other retinal eye diseases-exluding near/far sightedneess etc) then you only have to get the full eye check up every 5 years.  It just goes to show that the eye problems are very very rare.My former rheumatologist and my former ophthalmologist got into a full blow battle over the need or lack thereof for twice yearly eye checkups.  They both made it so miserable for me that I fired both of them. There were other issues with each of them, but being put in the middle of their professional disagreement over this was the last straw. 
 
Current rheumatologist feels that there is not sufficient risk to justify anything more frequent than annual check ups that every one should have from an opthalmologist.
My RD says yearly as well.
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