Plaquenel Party

[Corella]

Well my eye specialist suggested I start the plaquenil tomorrow instead of in a weeks time and I am allowed 2 glasses of champagne for my college graduation next Friday.

I will be starting them tomorrow and the chemist suggested getting liver function tests every 3 months!!!! But I see my GP a week on Monday so he will sort that out, he has been fabulous and liaises with my rheumy as my rheumy has a 3 month wait between appointments but at least they communicate and my rheumy phones me if needed.

Anyway, when I went to collect my plaquenil today, the chemist said 'Good luck with them' which of course made me a tad nervous.

So let us have a plaquenil party - who is starting it for the first time?

I am having a nice glass of wine tonight, in readiness for 'D' Day tomorrow!

[LizPetillo]

Not to rain on your party .. but wine/champagne have alcohol and that drys out the mouth and burns ... just FYI.   (also have sugar, which is a trigger)

[Joe S.]

Corella, Congratulations on your graduation!

[mshistory]

Congrats on your college graduation!! I started Plaquenil in June or July of this year - I take 200 mg twice daily and the only side effect I've had is scalp itching that lasted for about a week. It has helped with the joint swelling and stiffness in my fingers and has helped some with my joint pain in my knees. My rheumy just told me yesterday that the primary reason aside from the joints that we use Plaquenil is to try to slow down the progression of the disease. I do know that my inflammation markers (SED or ESR or one of those tests) was elevated prior to Plaquenil and now it's in the normal range, so I believe it's doing something good 

[Corella]

Thanks for your replies everyone.

I am due to have my highlights done next Friday for my graduation, I am wondering do you think I should postpone the Plaquenil until after I have had my foils done, i am worried about my hair turning a funny colour - I cant exactly leave it with the regrowth I have.

Have any of you still been able to colour your hair on plaquenil, or has it changed colour - any tips or advice, I just want to look nice for my college photo that I want to send to my Dad in England.

I do not plan to have grey hair, no way no never and I dont care how vain it sounds but I have heard if you have blonde highlights, plaquenil can make you go ginger?

[Jellyb]

Hi Corella,
I have been on a low dose of plaquenil since feb. I have my hair colored every six weeks. Highlights and lowlights and I have had no trouble at all. I did forewarn my hairdresser though to be aware. She thought the only changes that might occur down the road might be that it would take more or less time to for the hair to get to the right color.  Just let your hairdresser know.

[Meld256]

Hi Corella,

Congratulations on your graduation!   

I'm not very new on Plaquenil, been taking it for 6 months, and have had no problems except the "itchy-head thing" that lasted only a week or two and a tiny stomach upset. Now that I take it with food, no problems.

I also still color my hair and have seen no trouble.  I'm one of those "kitchen beauticians" and do it myself.  Jellyb has a good suggestion to let your hairdresser know. 
Take care,
Melinda

[A66eyroad]

Horray for you! Happy graduation!

My only suggestion for Plaquenil is to take it with food and make sure it goes all the way down. The brand name has a slick coating, but the generic is very dry and has a tendency to get stuck and sizzle away. Not good.

I also color my own hair, and I haven't noticed anything different.

[bloodless]

Congrats on your graduation. I'm not new to plaquenil. I've taken it for years. I've colored my hair before with no problems. I've never had a problem with having a few drinks while taking it either. Drinks don't mix to well with gabapentin, tramadol and hydrachodone though...just saying..

[eyeamdry]

Go ahead and have your foils done so you look great when you want to.  I've been on Plaq for 5 years, dye my hair, get foils and the whole 9 yards.  Do not drink though and I think you should celebrate your graduation.  Congrats.  Lucy

[Jackie]

Congratulations on your graduation. It is so important for the future.

Regarding your hair, I have read (on this forum) that Plaquenel can make your hair more brassy. I believe this is true. If you are going a brown color, you might want to have your hairdresser put more auburn in the mix. I don't know about other colors...

[Patze]

Congratulations upon your graduation as well! 

And I too have my hair done every 4-6 weeks and it just takes my hair longer to get the color right/to get it to take a color than before, but thats about it.


Patze

[kwolfsheimer]

Congrats on the graduation.

I hope the Plaquenil works for you.  Tried it twice and broke out in such a rash all over the palms of my hands, head, and other places. Itched like crazy.  My doc took me off of it after a month or two-- but it can stay in your system for some time.  I also may have affected my peripheral vision-- hard to belive that, but my eye doctor said that technically I failed the test, so he seconded the motion to stop it.  I wouldn't let me experience sway you though.  I am allergic to everything. Some people say plaquenil is a magic bullet, so maybe it will be for you.  I wish I could have stayed on it. 

Enjoy that champagne!!!

[Corella]

I dont mind saying I am really nervous, I cant take any sleeping tablets or anything for anxiety as I am allergic to them and it brings on my asthma, so I am scared of trying it.  Sometimes I wish I didnt know about the side effects.

Its awful that your vision was affected so quickly, is it reversible?  I would be upset if it stuffed up my eyes for good.

Congrats on the graduation.

I hope the Plaquenil works for you.  Tried it twice and broke out in such a rash all over the palms of my hands, head, and other places. Itched like crazy.  My doc took me off of it after a month or two-- but it can stay in your system for some time.  I also may have affected my peripheral vision-- hard to belive that, but my eye doctor said that technically I failed the test, so he seconded the motion to stop it.  I wouldn't let me experience sway you though.  I am allergic to everything. Some people say plaquenil is a magic bullet, so maybe it will be for you.  I wish I could have stayed on it. 

Enjoy that champagne!!!

[CAT1962]

Congrats on your graduation!!! I graduated with a teaching degree in '08...I am an assistant with 4 kids, so I don't teach, but HEY..I have a degree...LOL. I am on Plaquenil..have been since March, 2011. I don't drink..since then...and have my hair foiled by my stylist friend without a problem!