I am getting ready to start Plaquenil slowly (100mg a day) and I just need to hear some positive comments! I've read some negative stuff on here about it and I think that it has increased my anxiety. I already have some medication anxiety, because I've had some bad reactions to some before to other meds. Anybody with positive things to say about Plaquenil?
I love Plaquenil! I consider it a miracle. It's the best thing that has happened for me since I first got sick back in the '80s.
I was so sick before my diagnosis. I felt like I had the worst flu & headache ever 24/7. But still had to go to work. It got very bad over the last four years. I would sit at my desk with the trash can close by so I could be sick. I would sit in the ladies' room and cry. I would spend all weekend, every weekend, in bed. I went to bed as soon as I got home from work and slept hard until my alarm woke me at 6 a.m. Then I would drag out of bed and do it all again.
I thought I was dying. I hoped I was dying.
When I finally found a doctor who could diagnose me, I cried tears of joy! He put me on 400 mg of Plaquenil right away, telling me that it would take 6 months to one year for me to notice a difference.
By four months I could tell a big difference. I started enjoying my life again. By a year I was almost my old self. Only dryer... :D
I've been on it now for about a year and a half. I'm not at 100%, but I can drive to work, I enjoy my job, I can sit and eat dinner with my husband. I have fun on the weekends. I can play with the grandchildren (Within reason, of course! I'm still 57!)
I still have days when I'm not well. But it's not every day.
I had no reaction to Plaquenil at all. My only problem is that the pill itself is awfully dry and has a tendency to get caught in my esophagus. I have to take it with my dinner, and I actually take it with a bite of food in the middle of the meal so I can be sure it goes all the way down.
Good luck to you! I hope you have the same success I have had!
Plaquenil improved my quality of life. ;D Thank you, Plaquenil. ;)
Don't be concerned about negative side effects...just be aware. Most side effects are minor and short lived. You are starting at a very low dose, that's good. Good luck. And let us know how things go.
I've been taking the generic form of plaquenil for about three weeks so far. I don't know if my flare up is lessen or if the medicine is helping. I'm able to stay awake a little bit better. I take it before I go to bed because it does give me gas (or maybe that's all the milk I drink...lol). I think my mental attitude is better with the improvement of my sleep and energy levels.
If it wasn't for generic plaquenil I wouldn't be able to work full time. I was in soooo much pain all over that I didn't think I would be able to make it through the day.
Take it slow and build up to the dosage that you need.
SueAnn
I was on Plaquenil for three months. My doc took me off of it since he said I should have seen SOME improvement by then.
I have had bad reactions to other drugs. I found plaquenil to be very mild. It gave me a bit of a tummy ache, so I took it at night and was OK in the morning.
I also had trouble swallowing the pills so I diluted it in hot water and it got all melty.
Good luck - it will be OK. This stuff has been around since WW2. My father in law is a WW2 vet and he's been on it for malaria since the 40's!!
KellyG
Hi :)
It took me longer than 3 months to see any benefit from Plaquenil. In fact I was on 200mg (tapered onto it it very slowly) for 4 months and my rheumy increased the dose to 400mg daily. A couple of months after that - I saw a difference.
Taper onto your dose slowly and always take with food. Good luck and be patient.
Take care - Scottie :)
Without plaquinel I wouldn't be able to get out of bed.
REALLY. That's not an exaggeration.
I started taking Plaquenil exactly one month ago. For the first 10 days I took 200 mg once a day and am now taking 200 mg twice a day. I had some stomach issues for the first week, but it helped if I took with food. I'm afraid that I just want it to work so bad that I am exaggerating to myself, but I do feel a little bit better. If I had to measure it I would say my fatigue went from an 9 to a 7...it was so bad that this has really made a difference. I can't wait to see how I feel in 6 months. I feel hopeful, which I haven't felt in a very long time.
Make sure you get your eyes checked for Plaquenil toxicity every 6 or 12 months. Also do the Amsler gride test and color blind test as well. Some say to do those tests weekly. You can do those at home.
Plaquenil has been a life saver. I havent had a major flare since it kicked in and my aches and pains are gone and fatique is much better. I've noticed I now get spotty tans ...but I never was a beach babe anyway...It is a generally mild drug at the levels we all end up taking so give it a fair try..maybe a tummy upset off and on and the spotty tan...the potential eye problem is just something to be aware of ...if your vision changes see an opthamologist. .. You should have a baseline test done idealy before you start on the drug and every 6 mos thereafter.
I've been on Plaquenil (the generic) for about four months (I think). I started off at 400 mg (200 mg twice daily) from day one and have never had any issues with it. I take it after a meal so I've had no upset stomach or anything. For about one week about a month after starting it, I had the most insanely itchy head...but it went away on its own. The Plaquenil has helped with my joint pain, and I'm hoping in time, it will help with the fatigue as well.
I pick up my plaquenil prescription next Monday, I wont start taking it till I have seen the eye specialist at the hospital but I too am a bit nervous, I cant take NSAIDs, so hope my stomach can tolerate them but I am going to give it a try.
We should have a plaquenil party!
You say you've seen some "negative stuff" on here about plaquenil? Mostly I've seen people posting what they heard were negative thoughts they had and almost everyone answering with positive results. I've been on plaq for5 years. Lucy
I would bet that almost everyone has some medication anxiety before starting any new medicine and especially one like plaquenil or methotrexate, etc.
I am entering my 6th week on the plaquenil and so far so good. The first week or so I had the gas and a little cramping, etc. After that it has been no problem. I just made up my mind that I had 2 choices. I could worry myself sick or go with the flow and see what happened.
So far I think that the swelling in my nasal pharynx is less and that my lingual tonsils aren't qutie as swollen. I also seem to have more energy---which is really great cause I sure have needed more.
Just give up the anxiety and go for it. Worry will get you nowhere at all and doesn't change a thing. The bottom line is if it works without any side effects you can celebrate. If it makes you sick then you will just have to stop it. Just make sure that you don't give up too easily or too soon. Many people have to wait months for improvement. We are all different. Irish ;D
I whole heartedly agree with what everyone else has posted regarding Plaquinil. Unfortunately, it's not a cure-all but about as darn close as we can get right now! Sounds like a lot of people have been able to tolerate the generic, however, it exacerbated my IBS probs. Now my Dr. just writes on scrip that the name brand is needed due to medical side effects. I also take with food and/or milk, & I'm able to tolerate it well. I hope you have great results!!
I started Plaquenil 2 months ago. 400 mgs. It started to help within a month. My biggest relief was from all the joint pain. I almost felt normal again. I do have tummy issues on this med. I have lost weight and I tend to lose my desire to eat. I also have a lot of burning after I take it and pop a lot of tums. I have recently noticed an improvement in my eyes and mouth. That is not as dramatic as the the joint relief..but it has improved. I don't want to go off the plaquenil but I hope the tummy issues improve. Any suggestions anyone??
Good luck with your decision,
Spartan1