eye exam / Plaquenil

I would complain if I were you.  She had such an attitude

People who take Plaq needs to have eye check up (Opthamologist) every year or every 1/2 year

I am one rare case that have Plaq toxicity in my eyes that I needed to stop immediately.  I did not develop vision problem but was discovered eye problem by Optometrist when I got my prescription.

It really depends on your weight and the dosage you are taking w/regard to eye problems.  It is pretty rare that people taking Plaq develop eye problems.  I took it for years on and off, and only till last year I developed problem.  The rhum said because I weight less and took dosage that considered high for me.

Eye prescription is Optometrist.  It is different from Opthamologist.  I doubt it if you can kill two bird at one time. 

 

A baseline exam is important as well as yearly or bi-yearly exams. I am not sure why the nurse was so ugly to you for simply asking a question about your own healthcare. I would follow up with that and be sure to let her know she will not be behaving in such a manner again.

I see a retinal specialist for my exams. I do need a referral but it is covered under medical, not vision, as it is part of my lupus treatment. It really varies by insurance plan I think.

Problems are very rare but it is always best to be sure.

Yes, you should have a baseline exam once starting plaquenil and then a 6-12 month check-up.  I do it every 12 months.  I have no idea why the nurse would have given you an attitude about that?  Makes no sense to me.  I got a referral to an opthamologist from my primary, not my rheumy.  Definitely follow up with an opthamologist, though.

El

I also had to get a baseline exam prior to taking the Plaquenil and my rheumy was very serious when he said not to take them until I had the exam. They have to examine you to see if you have anything of concern that they can determine that is NOT caused by Plaquenil which is why the baseline exam is important. If your exam showed something after taking the Plaq, then they would not be able to determine if it was caused by Plaq or was pre-existent. I sure hope you complain as well, that was very uncalled for on her part and she should be reported.

Good luck and take care

omega said...

People who take Plaq needs to have eye check up (Opthamologist) every year or every 1/2 year

I am one rare case that have Plaq toxicity in my eyes that I needed to stop immediately.  I did not develop vision problem but was discovered eye problem by Optometrist when I got my prescription.

It really depends on your weight and the dosage you are taking w/regard to eye problems.  It is pretty rare that people taking Plaq develop eye problems.  I took it for years on and off, and only till last year I developed problem.  The rhum said because I weight less and took dosage that considered high for me.

Eye prescription is Optometrist.  It is different from Opthamologist.  I doubt it if you can kill two bird at one time.

Looks like you can't send a private message on this forum. But I was wondering if you don't mind what your dosage/frequency and your weight was when taking Plaquenil?

I ask because I may be starting soon on Plaquenil and am afraid of toxicity.

I have read that when you figure up the dosage of Plaquenil, that you want to go by your lean weight and not your actual weight. As they say Plaquenil doesn't get stored in fat. 

Latina_B said...
As all the others before me have said it's best to check your eyes every 6 to 12 months. I've only started taking plaquenil for 2 years now and have checked my eyes twice. My last visit to the opt. Was in sept. He told me I had to see a retina specialist. It's very rare a patient on plaquenil would start to have problems this fast, he said normally after the patient has been taking plaquenil for 5 years and over they start to have problems. I'm quite concerned with this. Hope I don't lose my eyesight :(

Why did he tell you to see a retina specialist? Did he notice something? Or just throught the retina specialist would be better at looking at your eyes instead of him?

Was the doc saying after taking it for 5 years that the risk is likely of having eye problems?

Some say toxicity is rare, and only occurs mainly in people taking too high of a dose. But then you read alot of people having problems, and looks like the eye problems isn't so rare.

If you could ask the retina specialist how rare or likely it is to have eye problems with Plaquenil. Please post back what he says.

Thanks

I meant my opthamalogist. I always get two eye appointments. A general one and a special one I guess you could say. The general one was just fine. Only that my vision has gotten slightly worse. Now when I went to get the special eye exam: it's where they cover one eye and you are looking into half a sphere shaped thing. Which ever eye that isn't covered is focusing straight to one dot and with I don't know how to explain it otherwise but with the rest of your eye you will see lights flashing. And every time you see a light flash you will press a button. I have done this twice so far.

So when I was waiting for next appointments and such the nurse called me back in and she had the doctor with her. He said: my results were the same as last year but just slightly worse... *~* And that patients start to have problems after they've been taking plaquenil for 5-10 years. I on the other hand have only taken it for 2 years and so he referred me to a retina specialist. He's a little concerned since I AM on plaquenil and wants to have a deeper look into the matter. This is what he told me. I have an appointment one the 24th. I'm completely booked this week and the next with so many appointments. No fun >.<

And as for the dosage of plaquenil, I never knew they figure it out by your weight. I was first 200 1x a day because I was borderline Lupus for a few months. After they saw that plaquenil was helping they upped the dosage to 200 2x a day. And that's pretty common for Lupus patients.

LOL I don't know. This is the first time I ever heard about it.

Well I guess I could ask my Lupus doc when I see her on the 25th. :/ and ask her how they know that my dosage of plaquenil is really the right amount. I'll just have to add it to the "complaint list". If I learn anything I guess I'll let you know.

Bump for Omega. Wish you could send PM's on this board.

tweezybird said...
I've been on Plaq for about 5 or 6 years now.  My Rheumy had me start eye exam by Opthomologist 1 time a year.  I've heard you all mention exam, I also have a test, called a Plaq test to look for Macular Degeneration.  Eye doc said it's rare but they like to watch for it.  You stick your face into the front of machine and they flash dots and you have a clicker in you hand to let them know each time you see it.  They also give me a chart with a grid on it to take home and check it every so often to see if the lines start to look wavy.

There's also a color blind test that is recommended as well.

I have been on Plaquenil for 25+ years now. I was told in the beginning of treatment to have a baseline eye exam as a preventative exam for possible issues of the eyes arising from the Plaquenil. I was also told to have these exams every six months which I have done. My Opthamologist also does refraction (exam to fit glasses) so I was able to have both exams from the same doctor. Not all Opthmologists do refraction.
My last exam is showing early signs of Macular Degeneration and the Opthamalogist indicated she was recommending that my Rhuemie take me off Plaquenil.
From what I've read here it seems we all get different information on the same issue. This is why I love the forums- at least we have a safe place to compare notes and share experiences.

My best wishes and prayers for improved health to each and everyone.
Thanks for sharing.