help, having strange tension headache, think might be plaquenil

[mollie carey]

Hi,

I wrote a few weeks ago, that I was started back on plaquenil for a very active flare, I took 200 mg a day for a week then upped to 400 the past 7 days and 4 days ago I developed a horrible tension like headache, where I felt my head was in a vice.  My jaws hurts, teeth, back of head, front of head...... It has not come away until I had a vitamin iv from my natural med doc, but then came back with a vengeance. Last night my doc aid to go to the er, which had over 100 people when I got there so I went home.  This morning I saw the doctors aid, who checked my balance, and hand eye coordination and said that all looked normal, no need for mri or ct.  I am in intense pain, they said to cut back to 200 because it seemed like the problem started at 400 but they were not even sure the headache is from the plaquenil.

Has anyone has an experience like this?  I do not want to continue the plaquenil if the headache does not let up, any help would be appreciated.
Mollie

[meow]

I have never had a headache from the plaquenil, I don't think. But I only take 200mg a day. I do get one when a flare is imminent. One of the lovely clues.

I guess all you can do is cut back to 200mg and see if it goes away   at least you know it's not something drastic.

[slccom]

I hope you feel better really soon. Cutting back is the only way to tell.

Hugs, Sharon

[mollie carey]

thanks, I am thinking I should wait till the headache is gone to start the plaquenil back, I am afraid if it is making the headache this bad, it will still continue to build in my blood.  Kinda nervous they are guessing about the headache.  Did not feel they knew what was up. Worried me.

[tiffferoni]

You might need to slowly increase the Plaquenil.  I had trouble getting on it when I started it.

[mollie carey]

did you have headaches? I am having dizziness, stomach stuff and this headache mainly.

[tiffferoni]

I did have stomach issues and headaches.  I would ask the doc but I had to take it slow and gradually get on the full dose over a couple weeks.

[mollie carey]

My doc had me go off the plaquenil, the headache went away after three days off, then he switched me to the name brand plaquenil and now after 10 days on 200 mg, the headache, jaw pain is coming back. I am bummed because I feel the plaquenil has already helped with my joint aches and fatigue, although when I take it I get dizzy and feel out of it, any suggestions?

[paisley62]

I doubt that plaquenil ever gave me any headaches.  It is hard to tell it does anything until you stop taking it, then I realize it helps with really deep, horrible joint pain somewhat - too bad it is isn't a stronger medicine for Sjogren's.

Anyway, sorry you have headaches.  I have a lot of migraines associated with Sjogren's.

[SjoAmy]

Sounds like what happens to me in my complex migraines......suggest to your PCP or neuro about checking out your homocysteine levels.....mine were through the roof.....also had to drop my Depo-Provera shot....it made a bad situation worse. 

What my neurologist did for me:  400 mgs twice a day of B2 (Riboflavin), and Amitriptyline increase to 50 mg @ nite.

Be careful of caffeine.  It can help or make it worse.  The dasterly thing is, you don't know til you try.

If your speech slurs, your limbs come out from under you....call your doctor & 911.....TIA/Stroke