First time plaquenil today

[Tracyrose]

First dose of plaquenil wish me luck ! any suggestions let me know. I got ranbaxy generic 200 mg / take 2 at once, once a day .

[litliwlowa]

When I first started my plaquenil, I did the first week on 200 mg a day to be sure I could tolerate it (I have a LOT of drug allergies/sensitivities).

Then, went to prescribed dose 200 mg 2xday. I always take it with a full meal, since my tummy is tender.

Remember, Tracy, that plaquenil can take months before you notice full benefit of it. Some of us notice improvement sooner, but it is a medication that takes a while to fully kick in.

[quietdynamics]

Tracyrose,

This is great news, a number of people find relief from symptoms soon. And the full benefits build over months..

Due to some other symptoms.. I did a short trial going off plaquinel. The difference, decline was quick and undeniable.
I then re-started it doing 200mg at bedtime.. then next week added the AM dose.= 400mg

Keeping a diary helps to learn patterns not only of symptoms, but, of 'sick behaviors"
When I do not feel well for days.. I do not eat well for days.
Makes sense, no one really wants to eat when they do not feel well.
So at those times I need to be more diligent about getting the right Carb, Protien, Fats/ Day and the 2liters of water.

Just one example.

[wildforwater]

Traceyrose,

I started with 200 in the morning and 200 at night.  Zero side effects and I felt some relief by 5 1/2 weeks.  Try to be patient if it takes longer for you.  Just make sure you eat enough when you take it.  I take mine with breakfast and dinner and it seems works for me.

Maria

[slccom]

I take 400 all at once in the AM. No problems. I almost never have any drug reactions, though. I definitely  feel better.

Congrats on finally getting some treatment!
Sharon

[Sleepy In Seattle]

Most side effects occur in the first month or two, then tend to fade away (unless you really can't tolerate it - rare, but it happens!)
Having a full stomach helps, for sure. The first few doses might not bother you but subsequent ones may, as it builds up in your system.
Lots of people start taking just 200mg/day for a week or two, then take 200mg after breakfast and 200mg after dinner for a couple of weeks, THEN start taking it all at once - but still always on a full stomach.
If it does start to cause you problems, you might consider backing off on the dose a bit and then building it back up, as noted above (after discussing it with your doctor, of course!)
Some people find that plaquenil and dairy taken together cause gas and bloating.
Many of us go through a period of very intense, weird dreams in the first few months - they do tend to fade away after a while.
As noted above, some people feel an improvement fairly quickly, but it takes 4-6 months for it to build up to full therapeutic levels in your body, so usually it's a gradual thing...you may find that sometime in October or November, you think to yourself "wow -- I have been accomplishing more than I used to, and I'm not so tired and achy all the time...". It's not like you wake up one morning feeling GREAT all of a sudden - it kind of creeps up on you.

[Tracyrose]

My boyfriend is already complaining about the noises coming from my side of the couch if you know what i mean .....holy moly

[Thea]

LOL Poor BF.

I had "gas" and looseness for the first week or so. I kind of liked it, since I usually have the opposite problem.  Then I was fine, and my stomach/GI tract are pretty sensitive--I expected more problems.

Do take it with food. Not sure why your doc said take it all at once. I do 200 am, 200 pm.

Oh, and I forgot--but I did get some intense dreams at first. Not now.