Methotrexate or Plaquanil

[Guest guest]

I have taken both. The methotrexate helped the best. Unfortunately, it made

me sick. After two months I got off because I was down almost four days a

week with it. Does anyone know if the side effects get better over time? The

plaquanil helped to bring my numbers down, but it did a number on my stomach.

I had to get off it because of the side effects. Please let me know which you

go on and if it works.Good luck.

Kasey

[Guest guest]

Hello, my follow-up with my doctor didn't go as I had hoped. He wants to

see more imaging scans to look closer at the periarticular osteopenia and

the Enchondroma, then he will diagnose me with RA if damage " is " there. If

no damage, then his diagnosis is Palindromic Rheumatism and will probably

turn to RA. His recommendation is Methotrexate if RA, and Plaquanil if it's

the PR.

What do you all feel about the two drugs. Reactions, length of time for it

to work, that kind of stuff I guess I need to really research so I know what

I'm getting into to. He told me the bad stuff they can do, but I'd like to

know some others experiences. It's a very scary time rite now, I'm sure you

know what I'm feeling.

Debbie Mc

[Guest guest]

--- Debbie Mc,

I have been on both drugs for almost 2 years. I have to go

for lab tests every 6 weeks for CBC, liver enzymes. I have RA. The

drugs have not caused much problem for me except nausea/stomach pain.

I take something for that, so it isn't too bad. My hair is a little

thinner, but not noticable to anyone except me. Every 6 months I

have to go to the opthamologist for a complete eye exam, and visual

fields because there is a rare possibility that Plaquenil can cause

blindness. My eye Dr. has a sister who has been on it for years, and

he says she is fine. My vision has not changed, except for far-

sightedness from getting older, as I am 46 years old. I think the

medicines have really helped. I was getting to the point where I

could hardly get out of bed. I recently had a relapse, though, and

now I am on Arava as well. Stress really does matter! Try to be

positive, although I know it is frustrating when you feel so bad and

nobody understands. Believe me, I'm a nurse, and you would think

that health care workers would be more sympathetic than they are. It

is only because they truly do not know what we go through. Good luck.

n RA-SUP

ORT@y..., " Debbie Mc " <angelrose@d...> wrote:

> Hello, my follow-up with my doctor didn't go as I had hoped. He

wants to

> see more imaging scans to look closer at the periarticular

osteopenia and

> the Enchondroma, then he will diagnose me with RA if damage " is "

there. If

> no damage, then his diagnosis is Palindromic Rheumatism and will

probably

> turn to RA. His recommendation is Methotrexate if RA, and

Plaquanil if it's

> the PR.

>

> What do you all feel about the two drugs. Reactions, length of

time for it

> to work, that kind of stuff I guess I need to really research so I

know what

> I'm getting into to. He told me the bad stuff they can do, but I'd

like to

> know some others experiences. It's a very scary time rite now, I'm

sure you

> know what I'm feeling.

>

>

>

> Debbie Mc

>

>

[Guest guest]

HI I have been on MTX for all 6yrs since being dx'ed....I was on Plaquenil

for 4 yrs...I never had any trouble with either of them ....I think my

stomach is made of cast iron......My RD took me off the plaquenil after 4 yrs

and said we'd try to see if it made a difference.It didnt that I could see at

first....but I know I was putting up with a lot of " discomfort " upon rising

in the morning.and a lot of achy days that I just told myself was normal for

me........mind you I have taken Lodine, Norflex, folic acid, MTX, darvocet,

etc pretty much since DX'ed ......so I called finally in DEC and after

refusing steroids for 3 yrs , took a Medrol pack......I felt

wonderful......and now take 4mgmedrol daily..........Plaquenil , you really

have to watch your vision faithfully with eye exams every 6 mon and MTX need

to get blood work for liver every 6-8 weeks....Good luck in your

decision...Judyin AZ

[Guest guest]

Hi...Plaquenil didn't help at all. My tummy couldn't tolerate oral mtx

so I've been on injections for about 2 years. Before I started

Remicade, I don't think the mtx did very much with the RA/PA, but it did

slow down the psoriasis. Mtx with Remicade helps the most, for now.

But I am off mtx until after my throat surgery June 11.

Tess