Just wanted to thank you all for responding to my posts. I have learned a lot today and my god I am gonna quit smoking as well! Still scared about taking plaquenil but I just got to try if for awhile.
Patzi
Patzi,
I'm glad that you have learned things by reading the posts here....there is so much information hidden in each topic that is so very valuable! I learn new things all the time from our members here...its never ending! :)
Glad to hear you are going to quit the cigs too......you go girl! We are here for you!
patzi, I came in a little late on this thread, but just wanted to say again(as I am sure others have mentioned this) that Plaquenil takes quite a few months to kick in. Some people say in a couple months they can tell the difference and others say 6 months or so. Sometimes if people are really miserable the doc will start prednisone the same time as the plaquenil to make sure that they get some relief immediately and when times passes the doc will start to taper off the prednisone.
If you can quit smoking---good for you!!! It really is worth it! IRish ;D
Hi Patzi
I'm so glad you found us just when you needed us most!
Just to echo Irish - there's no need to be scared of the Plaquenil. Like many people she mentions, I was started on Plaquenil and Prednisolone at the same time. I got lots of good advice here about how to start the Plaquenil gradually which helped minimise the side effects. Pooh recommended taking it with yogurt, and never on an empty stomach. I have developed a schedule for all my meds - I started an immunosuppressant a few weeks after the Plaq/Pred, plus lots of pain meds etc - and I fit eating round it. It certainly seems to help me feel a little more in control.
You need to give Plaquenil time to work. I've only been on Plaq/Pred for 4 months so I'm not sure what sort of difference it's made yet, but I'm glad I got started and I'm optimistic about both. Also hoping that the Plaquenil will act as a 'steroid saver' and help me reduce the Prednisolone dose.
Welcome again to the Sjoggie family.
Hi Patzi,
Nice to hear we have helped you.
I hope you will give the Plaquenil a chance too. It's a good med to slow the progress of this insidious disease. It will also give you some relief with the joint aches and fatigue. Doesn't cure it, but it should slow down and ease off on the pain for you.
Pooh
Hi Patzi,
As the others have said, please do give Plaquenil a chance. It took several months for it to help with the extreme exhaustion I had, I'm still have some exhaustion, but not nearly as sever as before. And my aches and pains are manageable for now.
Hang in there -
Patze
Hi Patzi
Nice to meet you - glad you are finding the site useful.
Easy said, but don't worry to much about the Plaquenil - I've had no side effects from it so far, been on it 18 months now, and have heard of very few who have had any effects. It's definitely worth a try.
Wen x