plaquenil causing dry eyes to be worse?? anybody have this?

[valene2009]

i just read that plaquenil can cause eyes to get more dry--- wow.. i am now wondering if that is why my eyes have gotten worse-it seems since i have been on plaquenil.. its been years but i wonder...
anybody else notice more of a dry eye on it???
i will be going to a new rheumy in oct..but i have a feeling she will say its not a side effect...and keep me on it.

[matildamillicent]

Nope, mine have improved on Plaquenil. Sorry to hear yours haven't.

[drylady]

Hi Valene.  My eyes only started bothering me about 3 years ago. After I started Plaquenil 2 years ago  my eyes definitely have improved (dryness, blepharitis and sensitivity).

[valene2009]

wow..ok. thanks... maybe im just too stressed..working on that too.. thanks for your replies..

[Scottietottie]

Hi 

I also feel that my eyes improved after Plaquenil. I'm really sorry that it does not seem to be helping yours. My Schirmers numbers improved after taking it - and fish oil.

Take care - Scottie

[CandyBar]

Hi Scottie: 

Do you remember how long it took to feel that improvement on plaquenil?

CandyBar

[CandyBar]

P.S.  I should have added that I'm asking because today makes exactly three months that I have been on plaquenil and I'm looking for hope that it can still bring me improvement.

[valene2009]

well it prob didnt make me any drier..just not anymore tears.. i have mgd bad too-where the oil glands get clogged..and my mouth so dry... thanks gals.

[Gayle]

Candybar- it can take a lot longer than 3 months also. I did not notice a difference for 6 months and then went into a flare... it was not nearly like flares I had previously so think the Plaquenil helped a lot... hope you see some improvement soon!
Gayle

[iraisin]

Candybar,

I had a bad bout after I started Plaquenil, my rheumy told me to push thru it and hang tuff. I did, saw improvement at about 3-4 months, was happy w/that and thought that was it for me.

Recently, I've gone thru a lot, enough to put me in a flare. I was pleasantly surprised that no flare - not even fatigue hit me! So, what I am trying to say is, that around the 6-8 mo. marker, there will be even more improvement!

So hang tuff - it will come!

[CandyBar]

Gayle and iraisin,

Thank you so much for those words of encouragement.  I know that plaquenil takes time to be effective, but it is especially reassuring to me to hear that from my sisters in the trenches.  I will be patient and hopeful!

CandyBar

[Scottietottie]

I don't think I noticed improvement in my eyes for about a year. I felt fatigue improvement after about 6 months.