Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Hi All,

I was just diagnosed with RA a few days ago. I have probably had it for years--I have arthritis in both feet, knees, right shoulder and hands.

Frankly, the meds scare me! My Dr. wants me take hydroxchloroquine. She brushed off concerns re the side effects. I wanted to know what others' expereince with this drug is like ( I realize that we are all different and react differently to medication).

I am not new to chronic pain, I am taking narcotics for a spinal injury due to surgery years ago.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

I started plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) on April 12th. Like you, I was reluctant to do mtx or plaquenil because of side effects. I'm happy to report that I have had very few side effects from plaquenil. I was a bit dizzy at first and my vision is a little burrier but nothing I can't live with. I make sure to take it with meals with lots of water and have had no gastro side effects. It takes a while to work and I am on month 3 and I can feel a difference in my pain. I've even went a full week with no pain. I had to come to the realization that it is quality of life for me vs quantity of life. I want what days I have remaining on this earth to be as painfree as possible. Good luck with the med.

Post edited by: jlynne66, at: 07/19/2012 08:50 PM

Hi,

Welcome. I have been on hydroxychlorquine (Plaquenil) along with MTX for over 2.5 years. Other than needing a special eye exam every year, the Plaquenil has not caused me any problems. One has to realize that serious side effects are usually very rare, but you need to be educated about them on the off chance that you might be one of the few to have a serious side effects.

I hope you are able to come to a decision, soon. Come back and ask any question you might have.

I was on plaquenil for about a year and I had to take the name brand b/c the generic seemed to give me diarrhea. It also quit working for me. I hope it works for you. Give it time as it can take up to 3 months to work.

Thank you for all of your feedback re Plaquenil. I told my Dr. that I wanted to start the med after our vacation next week. She gave me prednisone for the vacation.will keep you posted.

thanks again!