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Does anyone else feel worse on Plaquenil?

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Posted 9/19/2010 9:13 PM (GMT 0)
It's been about two months since I've been taking it and the only thing it has done is help my stiffness. My fingers are still swelling and I feel awful when I take it. My entire body hurts and I feel like I have the flu. I'm starting to think it is not even worth taking it anymore. I should be feeling a little better by now. Anyone else have these problems?
Posted 9/20/2010 2:38 AM (GMT 0)
When I started taking plaq it got rid of the flu feeling but caused intermittent nausia-motionsick like feeling. Also caused food aversions.
It did help with morning stiffness, and the fevers that I was having part of everyday and the fatigue.
I had to add methotrexate to get rid of the inflamation.
When do you see your rhuematologist again? It is time for a talk.
Posted 9/22/2010 2:50 AM (GMT 0)
I couldn't handle Plaqunal. Made me feel out of it all the time, sort of dizzy and ou of balance. I had to go off it after 6 weeks. They put me on methotrexate and that worked much better.

Goodluck, golitho

Posted 9/23/2010 6:09 PM (GMT 0)
I've been on it for about 8 months now. So far I think I'm doing ok with it. Didn't notice anything drastic with it. although now that someone mentioned about feeling dizzy that kinda makes sense. Otherwise, it has helped a little with stiffness, but I still have swelling.
Deb
Posted 9/25/2010 2:01 AM (GMT 0)
I've been taking it for about 3 months, it's funny how easily you can forget how crappy you felt when you start feeling better. It took about 6 to 8 weeks on it for me to get rid of that 24 hour flu feeling, also helped with stiffness, then I started taking methotrexate as well so I think it's the combo that gave me some mobility back. But I do still have swelling, and dizziness as well. I only take hAlf a pill a day so that might lessen nausea or whatever side effects
Posted 9/26/2010 2:23 AM (GMT 0)
hmm I don't know what is it in my case - maybe Plaquenil too, I felt nauseous at the beggining when I started to take it and then was Ok for some time and now nausea is back - I hope will be gone... but I strated with few different medications so I wasn't sure which one is causing it maybe all of them together... I feel pretty good overall but I think it is prednisone which helps me with swelling and all inflamation, not sure if Plaquenil started to work yet. I take it for 2 months now.
Posted 9/26/2010 5:41 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone. I will make an appointment with my doctor and ask for something else. I don;t think it is helping me at all. I've been on it for two months already and it makes that flu feeling worse for me. That's what I'm trying to get rid of.

Bstrong- Plaquenil works in your GI track(stomach) instead of through your liver. That may be why you are feeling nauseated.
Posted 9/27/2010 2:07 AM (GMT 0)
Ooooh thanks good to know :) Good luck with your appointment!
Posted 9/28/2010 4:54 AM (GMT 0)
It takes about 5-6 months to fully kick in. but, if you are not feeling well on it still, it may not be for you. It was just a few weeks of ick for me.  make sure you take it with food (I realize I cannot tolerate it w/o). Add a b-complex to your vitamins. drink lots of water.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Posted 10/4/2010 8:36 AM (GMT 0)
I actually stopped the Plaquenil and feel better. I was tired of feeling like I had the flu everytime I took it. I tried taking it before bed and still suffered the entire next day. I will have to talk to my doctor about the next step. For now, I am taking a natural supplement.
Posted 10/20/2010 2:16 AM (GMT 0)
Sounds like it wasn't for you. Good for you for being proactive on your own health. It's unfortunate we have to be our own advocates so often.
Posted 11/4/2010 10:42 PM (GMT 0)
   I've been taking plaquenil for about 5 years now.  I gain weight with it. I take daypro for my RA also. I think the daypro helps with the swelling, as far as the pain goes there is always pain, in time you just learn to ignor and grow a higher tolerance for pain.  I've had RA for 18 years. I'm 40 now. I was 22 when I found out I had RA. It runs in my family sad   my great-grandma had it. My aunt has it, and my dad has it. It's tough at times but you just got to keep going even when you feel you just can't go on no longer and you just want to sit down and give up. You'll have good days and bad, but just keep moving. You'll make it :-) When you sit down that's when RA will win.

JUST KEEP MOVING YOU MAKE IT.

Posted 11/9/2010 8:56 PM (GMT 0)
I took plaquenil for about 5 years. Had bouts of bad gastro problems, but no flu symptoms. But, it started to casue redness and horribly irritation on my scalp and spotty (some large) hair loss. Arava caused bad finger & toe skin problems. Now on MTX. I guess we have to be patient and keep trying new drugs or combos. Cajun Girl- What kind of natural supplement??? Would love to go there!!

West Girl
Posted 11/12/2010 2:40 AM (GMT 0)
I have been taking Plaquenil for six months, and it has helped me a lot. I take 200 mg twice a day. The Rheumy just increased it to 200 mg three times a day for winter. I do remember it took about 8 weeks before I noticed any difference at all. At three months I saw a big difference, and after six months, I am see a lot of difference. Before taking Plaquenil, I could barely walk. Everyone is different, so if a med is making you feel worse, I think you should let your doctor know and consider trying something else. Hope this helps. Best Wishes, V
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