Plaquinil problem??

Hi All,

I started taking the Plaquinil only 5 days ago.I was supposed to start with 200mg daily then if tolerating increase it to twice a day.The second day i took the plaq i was feeling a little bubbly in my belly,some burning and even diarrhea.I figured i should still continue and did.I took one last night at about 5pm while at work.I got home and felt really crappy.Very achey and upset stomach.Went to bed and woke up with my mouth and lips swollen.My cheeks were even swollen.I thought this was my kidneys and went directly to the Emergency room.They drew bloods and took urine.All were negative.The E.R.doctor and my Rhuemy both said it's probably the Plaquinil.I was given Prednisone 40mg in the E.R. to reduce the swelling and inflammatory response to the Plaquinil.I have an appointment on Monday with the Rheumy to see what i can do next.

Anyone experience this and what were your treatment options???

Thanks,Fran

Hi Fran, sorry to hear about the reaction you had to Plaq, pretty scary!! I have a VERY sensitive GI tract so my rheumy had me start off taking 1/2 tab every other day and I slowly worked my way up to 2 tabs a day with no problems at all. I take the generic but have heard some people cannot tolerate it at all! Let us know what the doctor says monday. Take care

Hi ,

I feel worse today than yesterday.My mouth is still swollen and now the glands under my tongue and even my tongue is slightly swollen.When i swallow my toungue burns.I have stifness in my neck and burning.My shoulders burn too.I have no idea what is going on but i may go back to the E.R. This is frightning cause i have no idea what is going on....

Gonna call my Mom now....too early to get my Rhuemy yet.

Fran

I had a reaction to Plauqinil too... My tongue swelled and I wanted to claw my face......

Mine went back to normal pretty face.. It didn''t linger....I no longer take that drug....

Hi Fran,

How long did your reaction last??How long were you taking the Benicar?? I also have bad allergies.Always did!! I have been taking Benicar for only 4-5 weeks but there is an accumulation of it in my body.I was told as my body metabolizes the Benicar i will experienece some swelling until it is out of my system.Though how long does it take?? I guess i should look up the half life of the drug....I have NO CLUE why my Rhuemy prescribed Benicar.It says to use EXTREME caution in Lupus patients cause they are at higher risk for Angioedema,Renal tube stenosis and even Rhabdomyolysis.There are so many other BP meds so why use that for a Lupus patient?? Makes no sense.Benicar can be potentially deadly for a Lupus patient.If anyone on this forum is taking Benicar;you may want to ask your doctor to change the med to something SAFER like a Calcium channel bloker for BP contol.Ace inhibitors are not good for us.

The swelling in my face has improved a lot.My tongue is not swollen.I have less burning of my shoulders and neck.But i still feel weird.CAnt really put my finger on it.

Fran

Hi Fran,

WOW,you had a very scary experiences too.Allergies are scary and so unpredictable when you have multiple allergies..I have lots of allergies too.I had an anaplylactic reaction to Barbiturtates in the past and was covered in hives and my O2 saturation dropped to 82%.I almost had to be intubated.

I do feel better today but still have some residual effects going on.Slight facial swelling but nothing like the other day and my eyes are red and puffy today.The whites of my eyes that is....i had this happen to me once when i rubbed my eyes after touching a cat.I'm hoping this is going to let up soon.It's so friggen annoying now.I wake up every morning wondering....ok,what is going to be swollen today??I'm afraid to look in the mirror lately....lol.

Thanks for your feedback Fran.

Fran