If you have a major flare while waiting for a drug to take effect, does it mean that it probably won't work? I am 9 weeks into taking plaquinil, and it feels like it isn't working at all. The low dose prednisone is not keeping the swelling down (it was previously) and my hands feel horrible. I have alot of stiffnes, especially in my knees where it was only minor stiffnes before. My hands look the worst they ever have and the pain is back. Should I give up hope yet or just wait it out a few more weeks.Hi Caprice, It does sound like you are in a nasty flare. Maybe someone else here can tell you how long plaquenil can take to work. I've been on 400mg for about 9mo, but I cannot remember... Have you called your Rheumy? I sure you start to feel better soon!
Hi Caprice. I have been on Plaquenil only since January, and still can't see much improvement. Also my sed rate and CRP remain high. My rheumy wants my to stay on it til next visit and see how it goes. I don't see her again 'til early Aug.
My main problem is that there is not much else I can take, as I've said in other posts, so my choices are quite limited. I'm afraid if this doesn't help, I may have to go on Rituxan and I really don't want to do that.
Hope it starts working for you soon. I've been told that it can take 6 months or longer.
Gentle hugs,
Nini
Hi,
My rheumatologist told me that Plaquenil can take up to six months to work. No mistake...six months.
Even though I am new to this board I would never recommend that one should 'give up hope.' Then what would you do? What is the alternative? Just asking and that's for my own edification too.
Sorry you're feeling so bad.
My rhuemy told me it take can 4-6 months also...I've been on it for almost 3 months now I believe. I'm also on 10mg pred to help keep the inflammation down until we know if the Plaq. is going to work. I can tell a little bit of improvement has happenend in the last week..but it's not great. We'll see what happens when I start weaning off the Pred.
By the way...when I started meds for this mine got MUCH worse at the beginning...someone on this board told me for some reason, that was a normal thing that happens with some people.
Give it a bit longer...hopefully it'll help!
I've been taking Plaquenil for about 10 months or so now and it has slightly improved things but am also waiting to see what to do next because the improvement has been small...so I am in the same boat as you right now. Hi , you need a plan to get back off of it , but it sounds like you need more prednisone (I took 15 mgs and that was terrific), now I'm down to 4, YES, isn't that amazing and I have no pain or stiffness, but it has been 3 months of 'tapering', (15-10- back to 15-10 slowly, then down 1 mgs a week until 7, then on down now to 4!!) Slow but it needs to be done slowly. Do ask for more pred, but plan an exit. It may take longer for the plaquenil, or you may need something else.(sarah) Lynda Ouchie. Sorry you are feeling so badly. Please put in a call to your rhuemy about your flare. It sounds pretty bad and pretty rotten. Unfortunately it can take up to 6 months to see any results from Plaquenil.I'm sorry to hear you're not feeling well Caprice. Might be time to have a chat with the Rheumy. Perhaps you could up the pred temporarily. As with all the drugs they don't work for everyone. Plaquenil didn't do a thing for me and I took it for 2 years while others have done very well with it. Good luck to you & I hope you feel better soon.
Peace & Love...Neasy
I just started on Pllaquenil about three weeks ago. I am still at the 1 pill a day stage because it upsets my stomach. I started getting headaches which I never did before I started that drug. I am off to a conference and will not increase the amount and run the risk of ruining my conference. No improvement but they did say it takes a long time to see improvement. I was against another drug in the first place and if it makes you feel worse--I don't see the point. Also--it is another expensive drug + copay. I NEVER saw improvement from plaquenil. It just gave me diarrhea. I was on it for over 6 months. Maybe you need something stronger? Good luck. I have been on Plaquenil for 6 months now and I to don't think it is doing a thing. I have bad pain in hands, wrist, and feet and knees. Some time I feel like giving up. I am on 30mg of predisone also and that don't seem to help. I now lose the feeling in my fingers and my toes. I ask the doctor about that and all he says is I really don't know why that is happening. It is not a good feeling.