plaquenil and nightmares

[trc1962]

I don't take plaquenil (it gives me a horrible scalp reaction) but I have noticed since taking the generic mycophenolate that my sleep is disturbed and is filled with vivid, disjointed dreams - sometimes even nightmares. I don't like it at all but can't give up the meds to get the sleep I want...frustrating. I agree though that these drugs effect our sleep and brain chemistry which is scary.

[SjoGirl]

I tried plaquenil twice and had to stop due to experiencing an array of side effects. I never had the itching, but had terrible headaches, had significant myoclonus (nighttime involuntary muscle jerking) and other issues. The nightmares, oh the nightmares, they were horrific (I could have outsold Steven King novels if I wrote them down and published them).

Good luck with this.

[vrystaat]

I've had the opposite happen to me. I was on Plaquenil from 2013 to March 2017. I never had any side-effects.
My Rheumatologist took me off the drug when I started Cellcept.
I got so many infections (sinusitis especially) on Cellcept, that I had to stop taking it.
So in November 2017, I was started on Plaquenil again because my overall health had dramatically deteriorated.
This time round, I started getting frightening nightmares. I was waking up shaking with fright, and was left profoundly disturbed.
The nightmares are identical to those found in PTSD and also Sleep apnea. Perhaps there is a common etiology.
So thank heavens that I looked on this forum, and started taking 400 mg in the morning.
Such a relief.

[SjoGirl]

I had to stop taking Plaquenil due to a range of side effects, nightmares being one. I tried it twice for six months each time, Within weeks of stopping the side effects went away.