I got new meds today!!!

[MarkP_1972]

My PCP prescribed me Plaquenil (200mg 2xday) and Salagen (5mg 2xday) today! Just took my 1st dose of both - Maybe I'll get some relief...
Oh, he also prescribed Celebrex, but I can't afford it and there is no generic form! I'll just double or triple up on Ibuprofen for the time being!

I have an appointment on 4/18 with a new Rheumatologist and am dumping my old Rheumy because she won't or can't schedule me until mid July.... I don't think so!

So, I am looking forward to this new medicine and to seeing my new Rheumatologist who I am sure will take tons of bloodwork looking for any and all new and existing autoimmune diseases or conditions that I have or may have... things are looking up!

L8R
~Mark

[A66eyroad]

Best news ever, Mark! So pleased for you!

I love my Plaquenil. I take both tabs at once, though, with my largest meal of the day -- actually along with a bite of food to make sure it goes all the way down. (Generic is even dryer than brand-name.)  It also helps to have a big gulp of water before taking the medicine to moisten your gullet.   

It took me a good five or six months to get relief, and fully eight or nine months to get a good result, but I've been on it for about a year and a half and I have a life now.

The Salagen gave me nausea, but I take Evoxac with no problems.

My GP once told me that Ibuprofen and Naproxin are both four-hour medicines, so when I need to I take the normal dosage of one, then two hours later I take the normal dosage of the other, taking them (as we say in the south) turn-about. That way your blood levels of painkiller-slash-antiinflamatory stay more constant. Obvs your mileage may vary.

[topping21]

I love Pilocarpine.  Glad to hear some positive news Mark.  Keep the failth!!!!


I take my Pilo 30 min before lunch, 30 minutes before dinner, Before I fall asleep and then again around 330 in the morning.  I love that schedule and it helps aton.

[slccom]

Beware of naproxin. It can take out your kidneys. Be sure you are getting blood tests! My GP was taking some, the approved dose, and had to quit because it was affecting his kidneys. Sharon

[Katybarstool]

Mark

In the UK, I believe the generic of Celebrex is celecoxib. I've taken Celebrex for 4 years, and it has been a God send. The Plaquenil has been fab too.

Kathyx

[MarkP_1972]

I can't take naproxin sodium... I take warfarin. I already have to get my I/R or Pro-time checked regularly and that type of NSAID will really affect clotting factor. I already need to trash my ibuprofen and switch to acetaminophen due to the interaction. However, my I/R was in range today.

[Madison Granny]

You have to be care with the ibuprofen too.  It can also cause kidney problems too.  I'm a example of over doing it on Advil and now I've been diagnosed with stage 3 kidney disease.  My Nephrologist says my abuse of Advil was part of the cause of this.

[irish]

Any of the NSAIDS can cause bleeding. You need to be very careeful with the ibuprofen also. I have had patients who have almost died from stomach ulcer hemmorhage from ibuprofen. There is not pill that doesn't have a down side. Just use common sense and read labels, etc. Irish

[A66eyroad]

Irish, thank you! As always, you're the voice of reason.   

[MarkP_1972]

Just dumped ibuprofen and picked up some Acetaminophen. I also still have to watch the Prevacid as it can have a moderate interaction with Warfarin. I have to watch what vitamins I take also, making sure they DO NOT contain vitamin K.

[MarkP_1972]

I went ahead and reviewed Plaqunil too, and there are no warfarin interactions for this drug type of antimalarial quinolines, antirheumatics.

[Luna]

Mark, keep us posted on how it does for you. I hope you find some relief and start to feel better.

Luna

[Madison Granny]

Mark, you also need to watch how much acetaminophen you take.  It can cause you liver problems.  The does is either 6 or 8 pills in a 24 hour period.  I think it was 8 and now they have lower it to 6 because so many other medicines such as cold medicine have it in them.

[MarkP_1972]

I am working on it and am really excited to see my new Rheumatologist!

Thanks everyone for all the support n' stuff!
I'll keep everyone informed.

L8R
~Mark

[gardenlover]

Hi Mark!  Glad to hear your great news!  I wish you the best.  I was just coming on here for a minute to see if you were around today.  I heard the devastating news of the storms in Texas and was hopeful you and your family/friends were safe!  Glad to hear you are ok.  My heart goes out to you and everyone in that beautiful state.  Your fellow Texans will pull through!