Is Plaquinel Fast acting or is it in my head?

[patzi]

Hello everyone!

I haven't been on this sight for awhile.  I was diagnosed with sjogrens back in January.  I had a positive reading  on Ana and SSA labs.  My fatigue was insane.

I cut back my hours at work and literally layed around most of the time.  I decided to go holistic and went to an Ayurvedic Physician for three months.  Well that didn't work!  What a waste of my hard earned money! 

Well I broke down and as fearful as I was about going blind, I decided to try the Plaquinel.  Actually it is the generic (hydroxychloroquine).  Started that on April 15th 200mgs daily.  Then on May 4th Doc bumped it up to 400mgs daily.

Well here we are two months later and my fatigue has lifted!  I am back on track with my exercise routine and am starting to feel myself again.  Of course I do have those days where I am to tired to get out of bed!

Anyways here are my questions:  I thought it took the stuff 3 to 6 months to kick in? Also when I had my labs done everything was back to normal range! (go figure) I still have the dry eyes and mouth but am beginning to question if I really have this disease.  Well I will continue to take the medicine for an additional 4 months then my Doctor will retest me.  If labs read normal then he will wean me off the medication.  Anyone out there with similar situation?

I appreciate your read and wish you all a great rest of the week
Patzi

[DragonflyC]

My doc said it would take 6-8 weeks to kick in, but it can take up to a few months.  I also had some relief within a few weeks (not as much as you have, unfortunately, but definitely some).

A positive SS-A and ANA are pretty convincing when it comes to SJS, but it sounds like you've gone into a remission.  I'm really happy to hear that you are doing well!

Just one question that I'd discuss with your doctor if I were you: if the plaquenil is working, then why stop using it?  The minor side effects are minimal and the major ones are rare.

[patzi]

Thank you so much for your response!  I was beginning to wonder if anyone would!  I will definately ask my rhumetologist when I see him again in August.  I guess I am still very scared about losing my sight (which is probably in my head).
Thank you once again for writing back!  You made my day!
Patzi

[eyeamdry]

Patzi--I've had eye problems for 10 years and I was afraid to use Plaquenil.  I went to my long-time ophth and he said it was ok and he keeps an eye on me.......pun intended.  I can't say your eyes will never be harmed because I'm not a medical person and even they don't "know."

I was started first on Methotrexate (boy is that a scary one) and they said six months to feel relief.  You take it once a week instead of every day.  It's a cancer drug.  Well, by the day to take my second dose, I thought to myself....."I'm feeling some better and it's not my imagination."  I was put on Plaquenil a bit later.  Still taking both drugs after two years and I'm not blind or my eyes any worse. 

My test results are usually within the normal range too and my rheumy said that with the drugs and especially when they're helping, you go into a "remission."  I don't feel as though I'm in remission most of the time, but I know my blood stats all fall within normal.  All except I'm anemic.  Good luck. Lucy

[patzi]

Thank you Lucy!  Your response was very very helpful!  I guess two responses is better than none at all huh?
Have a great evening and thanks once again for taking the time.
Patzi

[Scottietottie]

Hi Patzi 

That's great that the Plaquenil has kicked in so quickly. You are one of the lucky ones!  I do like reading good news posts.

Apparently the eye problems that Plaq can cause are EXTREMELY rare.  Having regular eye checks make sense but they are purely precautionary. In the UK it is not deemed necessary to check eyes as frequently as it is done in the US because it is such a rare side effect.

Take care - Scottie