Plaquenil

[Guest guest]

Hi all, I went to my RA last week (still no diagnosis)and she witnessed some of

the swelling I have been complaining about and pain and put me on a trial of low

dose Prednisone for 6 days. Besides not getting any sleep for 6 days the pain

did get alot better, however, now off the prednisone, my hands are starting to

hurt again but everything else seems o.k. She called me today and she wants to

put me on Plaquenil. I am a little nervous about it. I guess if I had a

diagnosis I would know what we were fighting but when nothing comes up in the

bloodwork but being so symptomatic with pain, hair loss, swelling, tenosynovitis

you obviously have some inflammation problem.

How did you find Plaquenil?

[Guest guest]

I took it for 4 days and broke out in hives with intense crazy itching. But

otherwise was starting to feel really good and wasnt as tired, i hope it works

for you

jennifer

[ ] Plaquenil

Hi all, I went to my RA last week (still no diagnosis)and she witnessed some of

the swelling I have been complaining about and pain and put me on a trial of low

dose Prednisone for 6 days. Besides not getting any sleep for 6 days the pain

did get alot better, however, now off the prednisone, my hands are starting to

hurt again but everything else seems o.k. She called me today and she wants to

put me on Plaquenil. I am a little nervous about it. I guess if I had a

diagnosis I would know what we were fighting but when nothing comes up in the

bloodwork but being so symptomatic with pain, hair loss, swelling, tenosynovitis

you obviously have some inflammation problem.

How did you find Plaquenil?

[Guest guest]

>

> Hi all--Newly diagnosed with RA--started on Plaquenil 10 days ago--how long

before I should feel any better? Doc mentioned a month--swelling and lack of

function driving mer nuts. Is there any relief insight?

My doc put me on plaquenil and vit D and I didn't have any change in my symptoms

for several months. Then the doc said to double the amount of vit D and within a

week the symptoms were virtually gone. I would try big doses of vit D and see if

that helps.

J

[Guest guest]

Can u take too much vitamin D?

***valerie***

Sent via BlackBerry by AT & T

[ ] Re: Plaquenil

>

> Hi all--Newly diagnosed with RA--started on Plaquenil 10 days ago--how long

before I should feel any better? Doc mentioned a month--swelling and lack of

function driving mer nuts. Is there any relief insight?

My doc put me on plaquenil and vit D and I didn't have any change in my symptoms

for several months. Then the doc said to double the amount of vit D and within a

week the symptoms were virtually gone. I would try big doses of vit D and see if

that helps.

J

[Guest guest]

Hi OKD.

 

I started on MTX and Prednisone, I was still flaring badly and in too much

pain.  After some time, my Rheumy added Placquenil, and a short time later

Sulfasalazine.  These are the " Cocktail " of meds, that stoped my flares, and

also the RA pain and suffering.  I have been in medicine induced remission from

these meds  for almost 2 years now.  I guess the combination of these meds.

quiet down the RA, for me at least.  All I know about Placquenil is that it was

used to treat Malaria and they found it helps RA.  I did see my Opthamalogist

before starting it, and I see him each year for that and for testing.  I have

had no eye problems being on it.

 

I do take the max. doses for MTX, .09, Sulfasalazine, 6 tabs a day, and

Placqueinil 2 each day.

I am still on 10 mg. of Pred. but will cut down to 5 mg. each day when I can. 

The 5 mgs. was my original dose to start with 7 years ago.

 

I hope this information helps.  I am sorry to read that you are still feeling

awful and have so much pain.  I told you before, RA is a ugly beast of a

disease to try to live with.  I hope you will soon find your own " Cocktail " of

meds. and be pain free and no flares.  I wish this so much for you.  I think

of you a lot and pray you will have better days ahead.

 

Hugs,

 

Barbara

    

From: OKD <Cofade_2000@...>

Subject: [ ] Re: Plaquenil

Date: Tuesday, September 28, 2010, 9:36 AM

 

Hi Group:

Reading these posts about Plaquenil. Is this a drug added when you get

breakthru's of RA thru the other meds? My Rheumy never talked to me about this

med and I was wondering if its a first-try drug, or something added later to

enhance other meds?

Can someone tell me what it does?

Thanks

OKD

[Guest guest]

Hi Ellen.

 

I know it is so hard to think we will be like that forever, but good things do

happen to us with RA.

When I got struck with RA, it hit hard and fast.  I thought in 5 days I surely

had a brain tumor.  I went from a totally functioning woman in 5 days to

totally handicaped with pain and swelling everywhere in my body.  I could not

dress myself, feed myself, get out of bed alone, could not walk without help,

could not brush my teeth or hair, etc.  It was damn frightening to me.  My

hands were so swollen I could not believe it, and my both hands turned into a

claw like state, which I could not open my hands at all.    I went to my P.C.

Dr. using crutches I could not manage well, the pain was out of sight, I could

bearly walk, and thought I was dying for sure.  He diagnosed me the minute he

saw me, sent me to a Rheumy right away.  She said she would see me in 15 min.

because my Dr. told her the horrible shape I was in.

 

I know a lot of members are scared of the drugs we need to take for RA.  Me, I

don't care about side effects etc.  I knew how bad I was and I wanted to get

better and get out of all that horrbile pain and suffering.  I never heard of

RA and had no idea what it was or what it did.  I was certainly scared as in 5

days I became completely disabled and in outrageous pain and suffering.  So I

took Pred., then MTX that day.  She started me on the others in a few months. 

It took quite awhile for my body to calm down.  I was at the point that I would

take anything I had to to try and get better.  I don't regret my decison at

all.  My labs. are all perfect all the time.  My liver functions are also good

all the time.  For me, these drugs have given me back my life.  I will stay on

them for as long as they work well for me.  I have been pain free and flare

free for almost 2 years now.  I am very grateful and thankful for that.  I do

know that RA

had to be treated aggressively to slow down the progression on our joints

etc.  I have a wonderful smart, caring and loving Rheumy.  I put my care

totally in her hands.  I was 63 when RA struck me and I am now 70.

 

I hope you can see how well I am doing.  It is hard being afraid of all these

toxic drugs, but I chose my life over my fear.  I do not even check out RA on

the net.  I did once, got so scared, I never looked it up again.

 

I do know you need stronger meds for your RA.  I hope you will give it more

thought and really think about your life.  Living with RA is a challenge for

sure.  I wish you better days ahead.  You so deserve it.

 

Hugs,

 

Barbara

From: EllenSangWildfeuer <LNWILD@...>

Subject: [ ] Re: Plaquenil

Date: Monday, September 27, 2010, 11:20 PM

 

Hello Barbara--Many thanks for your reply. I am not on any other drugs except an

NSAID (Relafen) as I refused to start Methotrexate right away. As an RN I have

seen the ravages of MTX and don't want to do that except as a last resort. I

just finished with an 18 month course of Prednisone(life and body and mind

altering drug) due to Polymyalgia Rheumatica--weaned off Pred in May and now

this. I am very disheartened that I will ever feel well again. ellen

[Guest guest]

Thanks to you all who responded to my inquiry. I know you all know how

difficult the adjustment is not only to the disease but to the idea of the

disease. As an RN I cared for many RA patients--and now I am humbled by RA. It

is a powerful enemy! Today for the first time in many weeks I felt almost well.

I do have pain and swelling in my right hand but today seems more manageable.

Could be the Plaquenil kicking in? I am also using Voltaren Gel--not sure how

effective it is. Again, Many thanks. ellen

>

> Plaquenil was the first drug my rheumy put me on. I was also on

> voltaren with it but eventually only the plaquenil. I had mild

> disease and no evidence of damage and my doc didn't want to give me

> methotrexate since I was of childbearing age and he knew I wanted to

> have children. As long as it seemed to be working he was happy to

> just have me on that. I had barely any pain for six years before I

> added methotrexate so I hope it works for you!

>

> beth on long island

>

> Sent from my iPod

>