Re: New Mainstream Rheumatologist Doctor -(Plaquenil)

[Guest guest]

Plaquenil (Hydroxychloroquine) is a quinoline, a precursor to the

quinilone family of drugs (notice the difference in spelling).

It's molecular structure is not exactly the same as the fluor-

quinolones.

One of the side effects can be raised pressure within the eye, but

At doses under the theraputetic level (400mg per day) there is alot

of data showing very few people have this effect- although because

it's your eyes- you'd want to have the pressure checked on a regular

basis.

Just how dangerous is it? That should be a decision between you and

your Doc after he hears your history, and after you've educated

youself on it's side effects.

Personally - after reading the drug literature on may compounds, I'd

rate several other antibiotics as more dangerous than plaquenil.. but

ultimately that should be a personal decision.

During my Lyme therapy (with antibiotics- mostly the tetracycline

family, and the amoxycillin family) I used alot of plaquenil, and in

pretty large doses as an immune modulator, and to alkalize the cell

compartment so antibiotic could go intracellular.

The brand name for Sulfasalazine is Azulfidine and that's classified

as an antimicrobial. EN means it's delayed release. It's an

antibiotic and it's a anti-inflammatory . It's in the sulfa drug

category, so some people have to wean up to their dose.

Actually - it sounds to me like this Doc has got it together.

The question comes down to your decision as to whether you want to

try this combo. I suffered for 25+ years, and I went for the

plaquenil- and I was lucky I had no side effects and it was extremely

effective for me when mixed with an abx.

Good luck,

Barb

>

> Janet,

> This rheumatologist is treating you as if you had an autoimmune

> disease, as you wrote. Plaquinil is often used to treat RA and

lupus,

> etc. It probably has some effect because it kills things like

malaria

> and babesia. Trouble is Plaquinil is a very dangerous drug, really

an

> antibiotic related to quinolones. If it works it is probably

working

> because it kills infections that cause so-called " autoimmune "

> diseases.

>

> Here is a link to the warnings on Plaquinil. If you decide to go

> forward with this be sure to see your opthomologist and have him

keep

> a close watch on your eyesight. Plaquinil has an affinity for eye

> tissue and can destroy the eyes. Most Lyme specialists have quit

> using it and are using Mepron with Zithromax to treat Babesia

instead

> as they much safer.

>

> Why don't you go up to Riverside and see Dr. Franco? He is

> also a rheumatologist who understands cfs.

>

> http://www.igenex.com/innovations3.htm

>

> a Carnes

>

> >

> > Hi All/Rich,

> >

> > Today I went to a rheumatologist here in San Diego who is

suppossed

> to

> > be one of the best. (I had to wait 5 months to get into see him!)

> >

> > This is his cure for CFS:

> >

> > He prescribed Azulfidine EN and says this works as a immune

> modulator.

> > He did tell me this fill affect my folate status and I had just

> asked

> > the group about that, since that seems to be a problem for me.

He

> > feels CFS is auto immune. He also discussed quite at length the

> > disease known as Sjogren's syndrome.

> >

> > He also gave me Neurotim (sp) for my nerve pain which I am going

to

> > take unless someone here has had real bad results with it.

> >

> > He took alot of blood work, urine test and told me to come back

in

> one

> > month for the labs and to let him know how I am doing. If I do

ok,

> he

> > is they going to prescribe Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine)

> >

> > At this point in my life, if I can be " cured " I will try anything

> from

> > mainstream to alternative. I have lived with this beast for 25

> years.

> >

> > Has anyone had experience with this drug??? Any thoughts???.

> >

> > /Rich I would also welcome your feedback.

> >

> > I asked him straight out if he ever had gotten a CFS patient back

> on

> > their feet and he said yes. Keep in mind I don't have alot of the

> > symptoms associated with Fibro, I have the FATIGUE, BIG TIME.

> >

> > Can this protocoll hurt me??? He says it will take about 3 months

> > before I feel a difference.

> >

> > One thing that bugs me where ever I go. Everybody has their own

> > protocoll to try!!! I wish people would think from A-A when

dealing

> > with this and stay open.

> >

> > Thank you all so much for your help.

> >

> > Janet

> > in San Diego

> >

>