Why do antimalarials make me feel cold??

[Maria3667]

This is a rather specific question; maybe someone like moderator Lynda196 would be able to answer it? 

I've once again gone for a second round of antimalarials against Sjogren. Last time I tried Plaquenil (hydrochloroquine) which was fantastic for dry mouth. But I got an allergic reaction -> i.e. severely feeling cold (feeling it in my bones -need hot shower to warm up) and shut down of bowel.

Other strange effect - Dr. said it takes months before antimalarial will be effective for Sjogren. However, I get immediate relief from dry mouth. Also, side effects mention diarrhea, but I get constipation. The opposite reaction? Don't get it! It's so frustrating when you've finally found something that works, only to be thwarted by strange side effects...

Rheumy said Chloroquine might be better. But in order for it to be effective, I need a relatively high dose like 100 mg/day. However, after 5 days I'm starting to become really cold again (however, bowel hasn't totally shut down on me, so little better than Plaquenil).

Why does this happen? Will it pass in time? Dr. can't provide answers, nor does the internet. It is not mentioned as a side effect.

Any clues anyone?

Maria

[Chickpea]

Hi Maria

I haven't got answers - sorry! - but I have shared some of your symptoms.  For the first 4 or 5 months of taking Plaquenil, Prednisolone and CellCept I was frozen inside.  It was as if the core of me was completely cold.  None of the meds mentioned this as a possible side effect, and the doctors were stumped.  The best explanation we could come up with was that it was neuropathic pain and nothing to do with the meds. 

Like you I relied on hot showers and hot baths, hot drinks, hot water bottles, blankets etc etc.  It gradually got better and I continued to take all the meds.

Is your body temperature lower than normal?  Someone else mentioned this in a post and I think it might be connected.

Hope things improve soon.

Thinking of you - Chickpea

[lelole]

Thyroid?   Feeling very cold, and being unable to warm up, and constipation are both symptoms of lack of thyroid hormone?  I'm not sure how this would work with Plaquenil etc. but worth a look?

Leah x

[eyeamdry]

It's wonderful if you get relief from dry mouth with plaquenil.   I get no relief from dryness with plaq.

However, I get the cold shivers all the time.  It's like someone pouring cold water over me.  I am having my thyroid checked again after being on low thyroid meds for a year now.  What a confusing disease.  Lucy

[Linda196]

Actually, fever and/or chills is one of the side effects listed in most references for antimalarials, and it's in the category of "things to report to the doctor as soon as possible".

Check under side effects in these articles:
http://www.arthritisinsight.com/medical/meds/plaq.html
http://www.tcds.com/ddetail.asp?prime=136&returnURL=pricelist.asp?type=4&search=p
http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/Consumers/cmi/p/Plaquenil.htm

[Maria3667]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the support!

@ lelole : as a matter of fact, I do take thyroid meds. Maybe they interact with Chloroquine (Nivaquine)?

@ linda : thanks for the links. I did report the 'chills' to the rheumy. He concluded I should carry on with Chloroquine at only 100 mg/2 days. This does cut down the side effects - but also the good effects. It's such a shame, since Plaquenil & Chloroquine are the only meds that really benefit my dry mouth (Salagen seems to be losing it's effect).

I wonder if other anti-malarials might also have a beneficial effect (but not the side effect). Or do they all act similar???

Thanks for listening!