Sun reaction

Hello,

I'm new to this forum.  I was diagnosed with UCTD in February and started taking Plaquenil at that time.  Recently I've had a strange reaction when I'm outside in the sun.  My arms, hands, legs, and feet tingle.  I feel like I have pins and needles poking me.  This lasts for about two days after sun exposure.  It has happened 4 different times so I'm sure the sun is the trigger.  I mentioned it to my rheumy and he said it could be a reaction to the sun that is internal and eventually I could develop a rash.  Do any of you ever have this reaction?  Do you think the Plaquenil is causing this sensitivity? 

Plaquenil is a suppressive medication that inhibits the worsening of diseases like malaria and lupus. Many of us here have thought it was "doing nothing", but found out differently once we tried to quit taking it. It does take 3-6 months before it really kicks in and starts helping.

However, Plaquenil is a disease suppressant -- it isn't something that treats symptoms per say. It's more like a fence around the weed patch -- it doesn't stop the weeds (symptoms) from getting bigger (the anti-inflammatory medications do that), but it keeps them from spreading more.

However, back to the issue of sun sensitivity. We have many threads here talking about sun sensitivity and various remedies and work-arounds that allow us to be outside. Bottom line is: Lupus itself (or UCTD or MCTD) causes sun sensitivity. The sun is an irritant. Normal sunburn is an inflammation. Diseases like these give us overactive immune systems. Thus our overactive systems attack the sun exposure more forcefully than ever before!!! The inflammation is more severe -- we may get sun rash, sun poisoning, fever, fatigue, and various other symptoms with sun exposure.

Do our meds help with sun sensitivity or add to it? Some add to it, but the anti-inflammatories also help normalize our reactions. Almost all of us here have some heightened sensitivity over what life was like before. A real bummer, but better to know than to get horribly affected as a surprise!!

Thanks for your comments. It helps me better understand why I am reacting. I guess this is all so new to me, I've always been able to tolerate the sun just fine and in all of the information I've read I have not heard anyone mention this reaction.

BTW: The Plaquenil has been helping with my joint pain and fatigue, I'm very thankful for it.

Hi, I was diagnosed with Lupus in 2006 and was put on Plaquenil.  I had the same reaction.  But if you read about the drug you should stay out of the sun.  I found I can stay out for 15-20 minutes and that's all.

Good luck