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Experience with Plaquenil?

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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Posted 2/16/2018 5:00 PM (GMT 0)
Hi I am taking Humira for Ulcerative Colitis and Spondyloarthritis.


Recently when I came off Prednisone I could hardly get out of my chair with pains in my feet and pains literally everywhere. I thought it would pass thinking that perhaps my adrenals hadn't woken up and that my body was not producing cortisol. I saw an endocrinologist and they are fine. I am shocked to find out that it is my arthritis and that Humira is not covering it.


My Rheumy suggested Plaquinol has anyone had any experience with this drug. I can't take Methotrexate as I had a reaction to it.

Any other suggestions I am open to as I am nervous about the side effects of this drug.
Posted 2/19/2018 12:47 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, Poppie, I take plaquenil and have for for several years. They call it a DMARD medication, so it isn't a biologic and isn't supposed to suppress your immune system. That's probably why your doc wants to add it.

It is a very slow medication though. Don't expect to feel much for a month and it takes at least 3 months to get to appropriate levels to be effective. It's a real sleeper of a medication but it helps.

How long have you been on the Humira??

Make sure to get your eyes checked on plaquenil. High dosages over long periods can cause some eye damage. They say it is rare.

At first it gave me some stomach cramps but I got used to it. I've had colitis and a resection, so I have a sensitive stomach. If you can, the name brand is better at not causing side effects. It's too pricey for my plan.

Can you take fish oil? Sometimes that helps joint pain.
Posted 2/24/2018 9:43 PM (GMT 0)
I was started on Plaquenil right after my diagnosis of RA. Helped a little but not enough. Added Prednisone still not working enough. Added methotrexate pills started working better. Added Humira working a little better but still swelling in joints. Switched to Embrel had bad side effects. My Dr. threw my RA a curve ball and started me on Xeljanz, Yea! within 2 weeks amazing results no swelling and pain gone. Has side effects to monitor for, but doing much better. I also take Folic Acid to reduce any side effects. Diagnosis of RA was 4 years ago at age 59.
Posted 2/28/2018 6:56 PM (GMT 0)
jeannear..sorry for the later reply.

I started on Humira July of last year and its helped with my UC, but then I was diagnosed with Lupus on Monday of this week!

Thanks for your help
Posted 2/28/2018 11:42 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck Poopie. Let us know if you take the plaquenil. I hope it works for you.
Posted 3/3/2018 1:56 AM (GMT 0)
Plaquenil is a very mild DMARD
was taken off MTX and put on it after my severe RA went "quiet"
I am in a flare right now and my RD retired
I do have a prescript for prednisone which I am hesitate to take because I know it's the drug you hate to love
he told me my excessive of use of Advil has cardiology issues
I don't want to gain weight and sport a mustache
Posted 4/14/2018 9:18 PM (GMT 0)
I was diagnosed with RA when I was 31. I took Prednisone (I have never had any weight gain or facial hair from it - lol) When I got pregnant, I stopped taking it. I had almost no symptoms while pregnant and was fine for about 9 months after giving birth. When I started having pain & swelling again I tried Plaquenil. It worked great for me. I always keep some prednisone on hand for a flare up. I am 47 now and I had to stop taking Plaquenil last fall because of vision problems. If you take it, please get your vision field test every year. I was lazy about it and I now have permanent vision loss. I don't want to take any more meds so I found a doctor who is open to more natural ways for treating your health problems. I started seeing him in Dec. I did a 28 day detox, I eat mostly anti-inflammatory foods (I did have a small piece of cake for my daughters B-day today - shhh) and I take natural supplements. My RA is no worse than it was on meds.
Posted 6/19/2018 6:32 AM (GMT 0)
Plaquenil is considered a mild medicine for RA and is often used as a first-choice medicine. The main problem with plaquenil is that it can affect your vision.
So everybody on plaquenil must do at least a field vision test once a year, and is recommended to do additional tests (like OCT test).
You can read more here:
https://resources.lupus.org/entry/plaquenil-and-eye-health

You can read patients' reviews about plaquenil here:
https://www.patientslikeme.com/treatments/show/2255
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