PLAQUENIL QUESTIONS

[Guest guest]

Hi, I was diagnosed last June and was put on Plaquenil & Mobic which

had worked wonderfully for me. Starting in January I noticed that I

was having *horrible* skin problems. Like a rash on my face similar

to hives almost..and to me it almost itched or burned a bit.

Just coincidentally I got irresponsible with my meds (most likely

because I felt good again) and was only getting my Plaquenil either

once a day or maybe even every other day thru say March. I realized

that my skin problems seemed a little better so I did some research

& was surprised to see that skin problems are a common side effect

with Plaquenil. Anyonelse experience this???

Anways, without my dr. orders, I stopped taking my plaquenil all

together for about 4 weeks to see what happend with my face..and

sure enough it cleared up completely so I can only assume it was the

problem. I went to a dermatologist who suggested that I keep taking

it though I needed to be wearing sunscreen 100% of the time. That it

actually causes a reaction to the sun similar to an allergy.

Anyonelse??

*sorry I'm rambling a bit*

Anways, the oh so familiar pain in my feet starting coming back

little by little until I remembered exactly why I was so miserable

last summer. I of coarse restarted my Plaquenil and have been on it

for almost 7 weeks now and it just doesn't seem to be doing the

trick like it did originally. I keep telling myself to give it time

to kick in (it did take awhile the first time I just don't remember

how long) but I'm getting frustrated and worried it's not going to

work and that I'm going to have to go onto stronger meds sooner now

since I screwed up by stopping it on my own.

I started a new steriod pack yesterday because I'm just having some

swelling in multiple locations with some sore noduals; which is

unusual for me.

Any suggestions?