Almost 18 years with Lupus and Sjogrens. Plaquenil gave me my life back so i could work and enjoy activities like a normal person just have to stay out of the sun. A couple flares after a virus but mostly in remission for 2 years at a time. Like any medication, the older you get things change in your body and I have had to lower my dose due to some symptoms of toxicity. If I ever have to stop Plaquenil, I would be completely disabled. I don't get relief from generic due to the fillers so try to use name brand.
I was diagnosed with RA June of 2023. Started Plaquenil that November. I used to wake up everyday in pain so severe that is was hard to walk and do normal things. I would experience pain in my hands, feet, knees, arms, just about everywhere. About a month or so into taking this medication the pain completely went away. I was so relieved! Although it helped with the pain, it has bought on unwanted side effects like loss of appetite which has caused weight loss. Anxiety and nervousness which I have never experienced before. I woke up one day with a rash around my eyes, my eyes were so puffy. I really want off this medication, but I'm afraid my pain will come back.
Been on this medication for two months bad headaches everyday dizziness nausea and made me have bad anxiety shortness of breath and anxious nervous all the time might stop the medication!
I have Sjogren's with severe muscle, joint and bone inflammation, and severe fatigue. This medication along with methotrexate have saved my life! I do have terrible flares occasionally, but they aren't 24/7 like they used to be.
I have been on this medication now for 18 years for my Systemic Lupus. My symptoms were not diagnosed properly for years until I was hospitalized with severe pain and issues. Plaquenil was immediately a relief for my pain and suffering. I have gone between 200mg to 400mg a day depending on my symptoms and lab work. At one point they took me off Plaquenil and put me on Methotrexate for a month. I was so sick and went immediately back on Plaquenil. You do have to see a Ophthalmologist yearly (do not delay this exam) to make sure that your eyes are healthy. However, I can not imagine my quality of life if I had not been on this medication.
diagnosed w/lupus at 14 and was prescribed 300mg daily. daily joint paint and chest pain practically vanished in a week of taking medication and to this day have no side effects or vision problems.
I’ve been diagnosed with Sjögren’s syndrome. I also have a high ANA and my doctor suspects lupus. I was taking the off brand of Plaquenil 200mg once a day. I was really concerned about the effects it could have on my eyes but I finally came to terms with the fact that I have to have some kind of treatment despite the risks. By the 8th day my throat hurt so bad I could hardly swallow this was accompanied by low fever, headache, ear ache and inability to get adequate sleep. I could hardly eat or drink anything. My doctor told me to stop the meditation and go to my PCP to see if there’s an infection. No infection was present but was directed to stay off until symptoms were gone.Then we could try it again or replace with a different medication. I have to say it’s extremely frustrating. I’ll be getting a second opinion from another doctor.
Sjorens patient...This is day two. I felt relief this morning after two days on the medicine. Pain when I sleep..pain when I stand. pain when I walk... My pain was so bad I prayed for death...I hope it continues to help me!
after 1 1/2 years on this drug, my wife started having vision problems..she is now legally blind with just some periphial vision left. After many tests at OHSU it was diagnosed as plaquenil toxicity.
This medicine has turned my life around. I almost gave up on it because it takes a couple of months for it to work. I was not able to function enough to make dinner or take proper care of my kids. I was very discouraged. Then one day, after about 6 weeks of taking 200mg 2x per day I just turned a corner and I noticed I was able to move. I have more energy and my pain meds are able to work better to control my pain because it's not as bad as before. I do get headaches sometimes and my eyes are a bit sore sometimes but it's been a life saver for me. Now I am able to make dinner, take a shower, brush my hair, feel human. Things that you lose when you're sick/in pain. Don't let the bad reviews scare you, and really stick with it and give it a chance. Everyone is different.
I have been on this medication for about 3 months now! But I still have stiffness in my fingers and joints, and it takes it a while for the medication to kick in!
It has helped with joint aches but I hacve a problem with my Eyes about every 2 to 3 weeks. They get Red, Itches, cant stand sunlight, burns and eye DR said its allergy related.
Plaquenil is the devil! Worked well 1st 2 mts. After that I had issues with my vision, felt waves of nervousness, and extreme anxiety where I started to question my sanity. Hallucinated, broke out in rashes and crying spells. It was the worst 2 months of these side effects I've ever had in my life! Got off of it and I feel back to normal. My Lupus is mild so I'm going the holistic route. Plant based diet, acupuncture, juicing.. I feel good and will take minor aches and fatigue any day than being on plaquenil. Beware! Do your research before accepting a lab created Rx from Dr.s.
I was diagnosed with Tumid Lupus which causes raised red ulcer looking rash mainly on my face but can be anywhere on the body. it is cutaneous (not systemic). I also have osteoarthritis. I started on Plaquenil in 2015 (200 mg) then increased to 400 mg after 3 months. It took many months for the ulcer like spots to go away but the drug works. In January 2018, I no longer had insurance so I dropped back down to 200 mg. It also took away most of my OA pain in my knees and hands. The only side effect taking the drug for me was severe burning mouth syndrome, ringing in the ears and an overall dryness. I am concerned with the drug affecting my vision. I stopped taking the drug because of the cost of am eye exam and office visits and lack of insurance. I am not in a flair. After 3 months without taking the drug, my burning mouth is almost gone and am so happy. My OA has now come to life which I had forgotten how painful it is. I wasnâ??t aware how much plaquenil help with those symptoms. I am searching for a new drug that will help with OA but not cause burning mouth syndrome and just maybe block the Tumid Lupus. I heard Cymbalta may help with OA.
I started taking this about 3 weeks ago to alleviate joint pain related to Lyme disease, and to potentiate the doxycycline in treatment of Lyme. It has worked very well on both counts. I'm on a low dose compared to what could be taken (only 200 mg 1x per day) and it started taking effect on the joint pain right away. This is the most pain free I've been in years. Very few side effects for me. Definitely need to take it with food to minimize stomach upset.
I needed a different dosage, but this drug only comes in one dosage. This made it difficult to get the correct amount of medicine in my system.
I have mild RA started to take this medication 5 months ago, pain has been reduced significantly, morning stiffness has been reduced too.
It took a year-and-a-half and a recent increase in dosage, but I have my life back. I am getting eye checks twice a year and have no eye issues. This drug is a life-saver. I no longer have the debilitating fatigue and feeling of inflammation even though I still have spine and joint degeneration and lymphocytic colitis.