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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Posted 1/24/2007 10:24 PM (GMT 0)
I was diagnosed with fibro almost 19 years ago.  Last year new symptoms appeared and after 15 months it is conclusive that I now have RA also.  Rheumy prescribed one round of prednisone and it hepled with the symptmos for about 6weeks.  Now he wants to start Plaquenil.  I know it takes time for it to be effective but I'm afraid of the side effects and was hoping someone could address this for me.  Thanks.
Posted 1/25/2007 4:40 AM (GMT 0)
What were your symptoms?
I'm sorry I know nothing about plaquinil..
Posted 1/25/2007 11:24 AM (GMT 0)
welcome kjb!  tongue like savvy i am not on plaquinil, but others here are and u should hear from them shortly.  are u no longer on prednisone?  i know when i started mtx and it had to build up in my system and i was kept on the prednisone.  without it i would have been unable to use my hands because of the pain, swelling and stiffness.  sry we cant ans the planquil question but i am certain someone will come along soon  tongue    take care and keep us posted   yalinda :-)
Posted 1/25/2007 10:21 PM (GMT 0)
Symptoms for last fifteen months have been swollen painful joints in hands,feet and shoulders mostly. Increased lethargy. Positive ANA factor positive rheumatoid factor showed up in blood tests.  Unfortunately around here there are so few rheumys left that you have to go thru an enormous amount of prescreening before they will even give you an appointment.  Then it is about 4 to 6 months to get in. They knew I had some autoimmune disease but weren't ready to say absolutely it was RA. This week when I was seen the visual symptoms were more obvious and because the prednisone was so short acting they finally gave the definitive diagnosis of RA. 

Posted 1/26/2007 2:33 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Kjb,

   Your situation sounds so much like mine.  I was diagnosed with fibro at first and then RA years later after a round of prednisone to see what it would do.  It was very strange after all that time to get some relief from the pain.  I've been on plaquenil for a year this April and the majority of the side effects I got, mild nausea and stomach discomfort went away after about a month.  Dizziness is still a problem for me though, but it's not a bad trade for the pain relief.  It took about three months before I noticed anything, and at six months it was almost as good as being on the prednisone.  Good luck with it, I hope it helps.

Posted 1/26/2007 4:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Kimber
Thanks for your reply. I can deal with some nausea it seems like a fair trade off. Whenever you research a drug the list of side effects is minf boggling and scary so I thought if I could get some advice first hand it would put me more at ease. I'm glad you've found some relief.
Posted 1/26/2007 7:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Kjb,

I also was diagnosed with Fibro first, like 10 years ago, and 6 months ago got the RA diagnosis. I never did prednisone (just Relafen) and instead went on the Plaquenil right away. It took 4 full months before I realized this drug was doing wonders for me. It creeps along improving things so gradually, I barely knew it was working. Now, I LOVE it. It's given me my life back and I'm really glad my doc started me out on this and gave it time to work before we hit the harder stuff. I feel like I have so many options in the ole arsenal for if/when this gets worse.

Oh, and as far as side effects, I had gas on day one. Now nothing. I don't even take it with food, just a cup of coffee. :o

Good Luck!
Posted 1/27/2007 11:05 AM (GMT 0)
me too!
Posted 1/28/2007 10:47 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much for your input. I feel soooo much better.
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