Insomnia and Plaquenil?

[Avery]

Hi everyone, I'm a recently diagnosed 19 year old. I've been feeling much better lately (had debilitating joint pain and fatigue off and on for about 2 years) most likely because of Plaquenil. I'm so happy to be functional again but have recently been unable to sleep for 5 nights in a row. I can take naps throughout the day, but even when I don't nap, I can't sleep at night. I'm debating whether to try to contact my rheumatologist again and get off the plaquenil, which is the only thing I'm on that would possibly cause sleeplessness. But I'm really not up for going off the Plaquenil if my symptoms might return (and I'll have to wait 6 weeks before it kicks back in). Could the SJS alone cause something like this? I'm not undergoing any lifestyle changes or stress that I haven't had over the past few weeks. Thank y'all so much

Avery

[Jellyb]

Hi Avery,
Welcome to this forem!

Plaquenil gave me anxiety and  I could not sleep while taking a higher dose. You should probably call your doctor and tell them. Maybe they can adjust your milligrams to a lower dose to see if that is what is causing the insomnia.

It is no fun not to be able to sleep, i hope you get this figured out and get some rest :-)

[lolo1979]

Hi Avery,
I would try whatever else you can before going off the plaquenil - especially if it is helping you and you are experiencing no other negative side effects from it. Some things I find helpful when I can't sleep are:
1. Don't fight it. If you are laying in bed with your mind racing, get up. Watch TV, get a small snack, etc.
2. READ! Some nights I will read for 2 hours before finally my eyes get so heavy that I fall asleep. This usually helps no matter how "not tired" I am.
3. Be aware of what you are eating and drinking throughout the day and evening. No caffeine, limit your sugar intake, etc.

If none of these things help and your insomnia persists, then it may be time to try something else medication wise. But again, I'd try hard to stay on the plaquenil if you find it is helping you. It seems to be the best treatment we have available and I've read many message postings from people with various autoimmune diseases who say plaquenil has been a lifesaver for them.  I personally have only been on it about 7 weeks so it's too early to tell if it's helping me or not, otherwise I'd rely on personal experience!

[bjnc]

Hi Avery,

When I first started Plaquenil, I had a huge insomnia problem, so much so that I started it twice for a few days each, then took myself off of it, and finally started a third time and stayed on it.  After being on it for a while, the anxiety and insomnia went away, and now it doesn't seem to be a problem.  I've been on it for about 11 months. 

However, I'm probably one of the few for whom it has not helped much.  I'm also on Sulfasalazine, Humira(for psoriatic arthrits) and Mobic.  The other drugs seem to have done alot more for me than the Plaquenil.  My dr. plans to drop one of my meds next appointment, and I think we will drop the Plaquenil.

Becky

[bthorn]

I too have been having insomnia problems for about the last month, didn't occur to me it was the plaquenil!  I have been on it for about a year now, along with mobic, I chalked it up to summer and longer daylight! 

[Carebear]

Hi Avery,

I'm sorry to hear that you are having difficulty sleeping.  It is, unfortunately, not uncommon for many of us with autoimmune disease to have the same experience.  So, it may be a symptom of Sjogren's.

I wonder what time of day you are taking your Plaquenil?  I have a few times forgotten to take my dosage in the morning, so I took it close to bed time instead.  Well, I can't do that again because I had a terrible time sleeping, and it cause me to have the most disturbing nightmares. 

As others have stated, try talking with your doctor first before going off the Plaquenil.  Take care.