Just wondering which was better on your body? John hopkins dr. said he gives plaq first cuz he doesn't like mth problems, but others don't like eye probs with plaq.
Any ideas?
I don't think that plaquenil has as many side effects as the mtx...but..for me the mtx works much better that the plaquenil.
As far as the eye problems go, it is VERY rare that it'll happen. You'll have your eyes checked regularly to make sure everything is ok. If they find anything, you go off the plaquenil.
Kind of the same with the mtx. You'll have regular bloodwork done do make sure everything is ok. If problems happen due to the mtx, you'll be taken off of them.
My doc just started me on plaquenil to take with the MTX. He said that the Plaquenil is a pretty benign drug, not a lot of side effects. Just the eye exam every year. I do like the idea that I only have to worry about the MTX once a week where as the Plaq. is a daily med. Guess I will be getting the best of both worlds for nowI took Plaquinel years ago. It was actually the second step up the ladder for me.
It worked pretty well for a while. SO did sulfersalizine before that. Both are DMARDS but like they mentioned the side effects are fewer....and their cheaper. Over the years I've had to increase a little here and a little there. I feel like you've got the rest of your life to have RA. Why not start with the less invasive medication now if they will work for you. Save the big guns for later? Does that make since?Eventually you'll body will probable needs something stronger; but if you can be controled with weaker DMARDS by all means do it. The only way to know this is to try it.
On a happier note I went to the RD today. I currently take 25mg MTX and Humira weekly. He told me if I'm continuting have this much progress after my next two visits we might try to reduce my meds slowly. He and I both want me to enjoy some success for a while before we try changing anything. Wish me luck!!
I'm on both in addition to prednisone and enbrel. Both took some adjustment. I am now completely used to the plaquanil whereas the methetrexate can make me feel off for a day or two. I think they both warrent monitering both by you and the doctor. I've called for advice a few times about vision problems that turned out to be ok(plaquanil), and I've had to go off the methetrexate for some infections.I was on Plaquenil for 3 weeks and developed a pin prick like rash all over my body plus upset my stomach. The eye thing really scared me even though they down play it. I had no problems with plaq. Huge problems with mtx. I wish my doctor would put me back on it but right now he is trying to keep me on minimal drugs until I get my colonoscopy.Lovie...that would be great to be able to start decreasing sometime soon...good luck with that!
I think my doc will want me to try methotrexate soon and I have to say after reading all the side effects I am terrified of it. I am not sure I can handle being on something that can have so many ill effects eventually. What does anyone think of it?Angie...I thought the same thing after reading all the things I did about MTX. I put off taking it for a while because I was so afraid of the side effects. I eventually had to go on something because I ended up not being able to move...ambulance had to take me to the hospital and they gave me 80 mg prednisone. I knew I had to do something and decided to give the MTX a try even though I was terrified. I'm glad I did because it's really helped me. I've taken it now for about 14 years and I've been fine. I have my blood checked every month and if there's a problem then the doctor will let you know to go off of it.
I've never felt sick like some ppl do from it. I've never had any mouth sores from it (make sure to take your folic acid) I really have been lucky. Now I will say that last year I had to go off the MTX for about a month until my white blood cell count went back up (it was lowered from the MTX) Now mind you I'm on 25mg and been on it for years..so that might be why I had the low white blood cell count. But I'm back on it and haven't had any other problems since then. My doctor said that if it goes lower than what they like he'll give me a call to go off of it...but so far so good. Please don't be too afraid of the MTX. It could be the drug for you that works.
I really think sometimes what you read about these meds are far worse than the actual problems you will actually have. Try not to let what you read influence you too much when making your choice on a treatment that can honestly change your life.
I am on both mtx and plaquenil as well as prendisone and enbrel. They started me on mtx my first appointment out of the hospital. The doctor laid it out for me. It's a choice between two evils. Somethings you need to stay alive. Mtx has side effects. But if you weigh those against the side effects of untreated RA, it is no contest. Remember, you are trying to stop joint damage. In my case, I am also fighting damage to my heart and lungs. They think I also might have Vasculitis which is an inflammation of the blood vessels. Uncontrolled, this one is scarier than any of the mediations. It is extremely rare though. Very few people get that one.
Initially, mtx made me really sick to my stomach. Then, it got better. Be sure you take folic acid with it because it helps with the side effects, especially mouth sores. Your doctor will probably write a prescription for folic acid with the mtx.
I always feel tired the day after I take mine even though I have been on it for about four years. I take it on Saturday so that if I really reach bottom I don't have to be fully functional during the next day.
They reduced my recently because of the blood tests showing problems with the liver. They take you off, give your liver a rest and test you again. Then, they can choose to put you back on or not. They put me on a reduced dosage and I can feel the difference. I desperately want them to go back up.
If your doctor is really watches you, does the blood work, you are going to know before any damage is done. You can also talk to the doc about liver biopsies, which some doctors do periodically I know that sounds scary. But what I find scary is watching my body turned into deformed joints and becoming crippled. Once the joint damage is done, it can't be undone except by joint replacements.
I know it is a tough decision. I have many side effects from my different meds and half of my medications are for dealing with those. But I am still alive. I still go to work. I can still walk (most days).
Good luck with your decision.
I have been on Plaquenil for 12 years..no side effects at all. Added in MTX six months ago and wish I had done it years ago! It is like I don't have RA anymore and my messed up CBC has returned to normal!
Last weekend I was able to walk three hours and climb stairs at the Biltmore House...haven't been able to do that since this disease started 13 years ago.
Oh...no side effects with MTX. The first few doses I got a headache that lasted a couple of days, but now that I take it in the AM and with lots of water, the headaches are gone!
Hey Leslie....Good to see ya.
I love the Biltmore House. I'm sure it's Beautiful this time of year. I like the Gardens and the Vineyard best!!
How expensive is a drug like Plaquenil, if you know? I have to keep cost in mind when I am considering medications until I get insurance.arizonara,
Plaquenil is not near as expensive as other meds unless you don't have insurance. Without insurance, it seems to range between -0 for a month's supply. I only pay with my insurance.
Do you have any of the discount plans like CareEntree? This is what I used to keep seeing doctors and getting my meds when I had no insurance. Discounts vary so if you go that way, you need to talk to a live person with the exact meds, etc. that you want to know about. For prescriptions only, it costs on .95 a month. But you can get more on the rest of the plan which I think is about a month. You can find a little bit of information at www.carentree.com.. It is better than nothing, but not much. But it did open a lot of doors for me until I was able to get insurance. I did find someone that will provide insurance for preexisting conditions if you are interested in that info. I am assuming that you also live in arizona because of your call name. If your income is low enough (desperately low) you can get help from the state. Otherwise, it's a joke. However, it is not that way in all states. Or, sometimes you can get help if you have minor children. They will use your medical to reduce your income for qualifying.
If you belong to AAA, which you can get on for about , you can get a card that will give 25% off any of you medications. If you have a Costco card, that is supposedly the cheapest place to get prescriptions filled. You can actually go to their site and look up your medications and see what they cost. You can't do this with a lot of major drugstores. Savon.com, I believe, let's you do it though.
Another alternative, is getting medicine from Cananda. One site that was recommended to me was www.myrxsavings.com/pbsbenefits.
Some meds your RD may be able to get you as samples.
Hope this helps,
Deanna
Just took my first dose of Plaquenil...wish me luck!Good Luck!!Deanna, thank you so much for all the helpful info. I am in Arizona, and I am in the process of reapplying for state insurance. I had my taxes done and with my medical costs driven up, I should be able to qualify now, at least initially.