Plaquenil

The only side effects from Plaquenil that most of us notice is possibly an upset stomach for a few days...make sure to take with food.

Depression, anxiety, and brain fog could be Lupus symptoms -- or they could be from Remicade, I'm not familiar with it's side effects. Or they could be from something else entirely -- but they are not listed as side effects from Plaquenil.

Well, since those are symptoms of our disease, and Plaquenil is usually the first medication we receive to reduce those symptoms....not sure how I'd know if Plaquenil was adding to the problem!! lol

Hope you find relief soon,

I swear PLAQUENIL gives me insomnia. During the day, I don't think it gives me anxiety though but at night, I can't get to sleep. So now, I am taking something to help me sleep.

Jeanneac - I would be willing to bet it is the prednisone, not the plaquenil, that is contributing to your insomnia. Almost everyone on prednisone has some issues with sleeping -- it is very often accompanied by some sort of sleeping aid. Some of us are ok with an OTC sleep medication, some need a prescription. Definitely worth trying.

Littlesrebel - Plaquenil is a disease-inhibiting medication - they don't know exactly why it works but it does keep lupus from becoming worse. Usual side effects may be a somewhat upset stomach for the first few weeks (but not everyone has this.) Make sure to take it with or without food, whichever is directed. (I forget which it is!) There is a very rare side effect that causes some peripheral loss of sight - for this reason we are advised to get a field-of-view test once a year - if this happens, the eyes do return to normal. It does take a few months to start working -- some of us think it does nothing and don't take it for a few weeks, only to find it has silently been helping all along.

I recommend using the meds your doctor is prescribing - lupus is somewhat of a trial and error illness, and the doctor needs to see how you react to each one in order to determine the next move to make in dealing with your individual situation.

Have a great day,

I'm recently diagnosed with Lupus and the only medications I'm on are Synthroid and Plaquenil.  Less than a month after starting Plaquenil I started having problems with insomnia and some anxiety.  I'm still struggling to sleep well without waking up and lying awake for hours.  I'm also a little backed up and starting some Miralax and dulcolax for that, hoping it might help with the sleep as well.  Good luck.

Angelina, did you try someting else after Plaquenil that worked for you? I'm wondering what's next if I quit Plaquenil.

I personally went off the Remicade after developing drug induced lupus. They say it will resolve over the next 3 to 10 months. The pain can be unbearable and I started the plaquenil 2 weeks ago. I am hoping it will help. I found a good rheumatologist who pinpointed the only cause to be the Remicade. As much as it put my Crohn's into remission, it also incapacitated me with the joint pain. Do not let the GI tell you it isnt the Remicade. I feel that if I did not have my last infusion, I would be a lot better by now. I took a 2 week medical leave, hoping that rest will help. Get the bloodwork done, then you will know for sure. Educate yourself and most important, ADVOCATE for yourself. For whatever reasons, the GI's do not want to consider the fact that Remicade can cause this. I think it is much more common then we know.