Hi I do not take this but I was curious about it. Those of you take it how has it helped you? Do you take Plaqenuil and Methotrexate? What are the side effects? And how do you have to be affect by sjogrens to be given this med. Thanks in advance.
Hi Sleepy,
Good questions. I just attended a four day program on managing Inflammatory Arthritis, and medications was an important topic.
Yes, I take both Plaquenil and Methotrexate. Doctors often use the DMARDs in combination because it increases the intensity without increasing the dosage. You get a "bigger bag for your buck" without increasing the danger of side effects.
Methotrexate has changed my life. I can't understate its importance. Most joint pain, stiffness and swelling are gone. I inject, so my side effects are nil. Plaquenil has improved the brain fog, mouth dryness, and does help somewhat with joint pain as well. I had GI issues for the first two weeks only. Of course my results and side effects are mine alone. Everyone is different.
Each doctor will have his own decision making process, but here is what I learned from the program. It used to be that Methotrexate was only used later on in the progression of the disease. Unfortunately the damage to the joints was already done, and by then it was too late. Today, the philosophy is different. Methotrexate (and then stronger drugs if that doesn't work) are used at the early stages of inflammation to prevent joint damage. Doctors now want to get the disease in control as soon as possible.
I've only been ut on it for a month and I have less stiffness. One thing it really improved, but wasn't prescribed for, is the awful diarhhea. I could not tolerate plaquenil for the side effects.