Allergic to Plaquenil

Hello,

Yesterday was my 2nd attempt to take Plaquenil with my 2x per day Doxycycline.

Both meds were prescribed by my Rheumatologist earlier this month in an attempt to keep what is likely Lyme under control until my appt. with a "real" Lyme doc in March.

Having been diagnosed with Lupus and RA a few years ago, I tried and failed Plaquenil back then too. Within an hour after taking it, I experienced shooting pains in my feet and deep in my head. It also made me nauseous, caused my vision to be more blurry than usual, and gave me a nasty headache.

The doc who prescribed the Plaquenil this time around didn't discuss it with me. It was a 'surprise' waiting for me at CVS with the Doxy script. One 21 day course of Doxy, no refill, and the mother load of Plaquenil with 3 refills. Even though my records indicate a nasty reaction to the stuff in 2013!?

Reading about how the Plaquenil is a "Cyst buster," I tried to give it another go out of fear the Doxy alone would make the Lyme more resistant to treatment.
Attempt #1 in early January made me very sick with all sorts of physical and emotional misery, but I really didn't know if it was the Plaquenil or the Doxy. I immediately backed off the Plaquenil and the Doxy became much more tolerable.
But yesterday, fear got the better of me. I tried again to take a Plaquenil and within the hour I was getting the stabbing pains in my head, shoulder, and this time my tongue swelled up and felt like it was being stuck with pins.
More like an allergic reaction.

I am done with Plaquenil. Forever. I drew a scull and crossbones on the bottle in case I am tempted again.

So, what to do with the Doxy now? I have another 21 day script (that I practically beat out of the doctor!) but am wondering if I should stop the Doxy at 30 days and tough it out until I get to the Lyme guy (Dr. SD, MA?)

This treatment is not for a recent tick bite-I've had several over the years with things coming to a head in December of 2012 when I had a high fever, stiff arm and neck, flu like symptoms, etc. That's when I was told I had Lupus and RA.

I'm not sure if I'm helping or making things worse by continuing Doxy until March.

Anyone?

And-what does one do if allergic to Plaquenil? Are there any alternatives?
My understanding is that this is an important drug in Dr. D's arsenal.

Thanks in advance.

Thank you all. It's really comforting to not feel so alone in "Lyme Land."

The bottle says "IC Hydroxychloroquine," underneath the scull and crossbones drawn with bright blue Sharpie.

Reading further, a 2012 paper by Dr. D where he discusses alternating tetracycline and with a macrolide/Plaquenil combo. Not sure if I can post a link to a research paper?

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3520031/pdf/TONEUJ-6-140.pdf

Nothing on what to do if a patient can't take Plaquenil but if I understand correctly there's no point in continuing the Doxy, as the Tetracycline is so much more effective.