HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

finally relief, but more unfortunate news

Support Forums
>
Lupus
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 4/15/2012 11:58 PM (GMT 0)
My dr finally rx me prednisone and tramadol. This is day two on the prednisone and I feel much better already, at least joint pain wise. I'm still so lethargic and exhausted....
My rheumy is starting me on plaquenil tomorrow...what should I expect from this medication?
And also, the bad news is it seems I have peroneal tendon subluxation and will need surgery on both ankles, but not until we start to see how the medication is affecting me.
Anyone else experience these issues or know anything about it?

Thanks in advance guys
Posted 4/16/2012 1:32 AM (GMT 0)
I've been on plaquenil for almost a year now. I didn't feel the full effect until three months in to it. I felt a slight effect at two month though.
It helps a lot with the fatigue and joint swelling for me.
One thing you must make sure to do is get a field vision and retina check every six months. There is a chance of damage to your eyes, but it's rare.
Posted 4/16/2012 2:21 PM (GMT 0)
The good news about plaquenil for me was I never experienced any side-effects at all...the bad news is I haven't noticed an improvement either. But my rheumy said that plaquenil can stop the progression of the disease, so I wonder if even though I've felt worse since I've been on it, how much worse it would be without plaquenil. Hope you feel better soon!
Posted 4/16/2012 8:00 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah, I was informed that it can take between 4-12 weeks for it to show improvement.
I really hope that it does help with joint and overall inflammation and fatigue.
I just called my rheumy to see if my blood tests came back to see if i can start taking the medication yet, and after being on hold for almost five minutes all she could tell me was they'll have to call me back for it? how does the blood work correlate with being able to take the medication?
Also, a few questions about this medication, what kind of damage can it cause to the eyes and how would I be able to tell if it were? I've been reading that it can cause weight loss, and on average how much weight loss is there? and will it help to stop my hair from falling out? I use to have pretty thick hair and in the last 4-5 months its thickness has diminished and im only 20, I dont want to lose my hair! :(
Posted 4/16/2012 9:10 PM (GMT 0)
Plaquenil and Your Eyes rolleyes

Here is an eye test that is easy for all of us to do online, without going to the doctor right away. Scroll down after you go to this site until a graph shows up with a dot in the center. Look at the dot with one eye at a time, and if the lines change, then you might need to see the doctor. Instructions & more information is available on the page.

Check Your Eyes
Posted 4/16/2012 10:36 PM (GMT 0)
K.E., I've been on plaquenil for about a year. I've gained 10 lbs and lost 20 lbs in the last 6 months. So it affected me very little there. I'd love to lose 100 lbs more. :P
I used to have very thick hair myself, but my has thinned some. I can see my pink scalp in some places.
Posted 4/17/2012 1:05 AM (GMT 0)
I have been on Plaquenil for sometime now and the only side effect I have noticed is thinning of my hair and splotchy skin.  I am not sure of its full effect since I also take Prednisone every day.  I do get my eyes checked every 6 months to make sure all is well in there and I actaully do keep a copy of the graph with the dot in it on my fridge....just a little extra precaution.

Laura

Posted 4/17/2012 3:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

When I first started it I actually lost any feeling of being hungry, actually the thought of eating made me sick and I enjoy food. My stomach was just very sensititive. Also I had this odd thing where my foot felt very hot it was strange but didnt last long just a day. After a couple weeks I started to feel better and now I have no issues at all. I have been on it since Sept of last year.
Posted 4/17/2012 7:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,
I've lost about 6 pounds in a few weeks time, but I haven't been on Plaquenil that long. I'm also hoping that it will stop some of my horrific hair loss. No luck yet though. Seriously thinking of rocking the buzz cut. So thin, and what isn't falling out is breaking off. I haven't had any side effects from it, yet, hopefully you will be able to tolerate it and it will help you feel better soon. :)
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply