Help! Confused again....Went to the Rheummy today.

[DanzGrl]

I went to a new Rheummy today.  He looked over my labs, did a physical exam, took more labs and x-rays of my hands (to check for RA).  He thinks I have fibermyalgia and of course, sjogrens.    He told me not to worry about Plaquniel right now.  My joint pain is not that bad. ( Most of time it's  not as long as I remember to get up and move.  I start hurting if I stay still for too long. ) Plaquniel would not help with the gland problems.  I thought it was suppossed to help slow things down.  I'm so confused!  Recommended that I take Exovac at least twice a day and gave me a small dose of anti-depressant to help me sleep.  Wants me to really focus on aerobic exercise, stretches, elminiating physical and emotional stress, my eyes and dry mouth.  What do ya'll think?  I thought Plaquniel was the thing that you do with Sjogrens?

[Scottietottie]

Hi DanzGrl 

There seem to be two schools of thought among rheumies on this one. Some of usseem to be started on Plaquenil as the first medication and other rheumies hold fire on it.

I'm not medical. My understanding was that it slowed progression and in y case it certainly seemed to get my bloodwork pretty well back to normal. I can't say it did much for the aches and pains. (So saying - I don't know what it would be like without it now!) It did seem to give me more energy.

I really don't know whether your rheumy is right or not. Maybe mine is wrong!  If you feel you trust him, go with what he says and see how it goes.

Take care - Scottie 

[Seeker]

G'day DanzGrl, I think your rheumy is just trying to take a more holistic course in your treatment.  Many good physicians would rather use drugs as a tool of last resort.  This is understandable.  If you can get good results without using drugs, it will be easier on your body and on your pocket book.  It takes a lot of time and effort to keep up a good exercise program.  However the benefits will be far reaching.  Any way if the program your doctor has laid out for you does not work for you, I am sure eventually he will prescribe the needed medication.

Seeker

[JannaLee]

My Rheumatologist told me the "current belief" in the medical world is to treat immediately with Plaquenil to stop/slow irreversible damage to exocrine system and tissues.

I don't know if he is right.  He didn't even seem to know if this is right.  It's just the recent best strategy at the moment.

For myself, I am feeling much better on Plaquenil but find your doctor's suggestions (especially the stress parts) are necessary even with medication.  Who knows if this will prove the best treatment protocol down the road.

Janna

[Lowell]

Hi DanzGrl-

I was diagnosed 3 months ago and started right on Plaquenil. At the time I had been sick for 8 months and was having extreme fatigue, joint pain and fevers. Since going on the Plaquenil my joint pain is pretty much gone! Which is really great because the pain was really quite bad. Even though I still have the fevers and fatigue I am grateful not to be in pain on a daily basis.

Lowell

[JannaLee]

I have to add that my joint pain is not very much changed but my mouth and eyes are somewhat less dry.  I think is has helped my glands.  The fatigue is better also.

I'm pretty sure there are no claims of "which symptoms" plaquenil helps and which it doesn't.  Everyone has their own experience of it. 

[Etta]

Hi,
My rheumy is the head of Rheumatology at John's Hopkins - I only mention that because it is such a well respected facility - and he put me on Plaquenil immediately with no symptoms at all except dry eyes and dry mouth. He very specifically told me that it changes the progression in the glands. He said the Evoxac is for immediate results, but the Plaquenil was more important  for the long term. The only reason he had me do a lip biopsy was so that I could start the Plaquenil immediately if the results were positive.
Etta

[JannaLee]

Yes!  That sounds like what my Rheumy said to me too.!