Hydroxychloroquine - advice please

breane

Hi,Had my first appointment with the rheumy today and she confirmed I have both OA and RA and she has changed my meds. :? I will still be on the low dose of steroids for the next 3 weeks,gradually reducing them down.She has taken me off Naproxen and instead I will be taking Hydroxychloroquine Sulphate(200mg twice a day)plus the stomach protector.Is anyone else on the Hydroxychloroquine? I would be very interested to hear what results you've had since being on them.Do they take a time to 'kick in' and have you had any of the numerous side effects that's mentioned on the leaflet? I had x rays on my hand,wrists,feet and chest and I go in 4 weeks time for a blood test to see how the new meds are working.I have to see the rheumy nurse in Sept. and the rheumy consultantant again in Dec. Although the appointment today went OK I did feel it was a bit rushed but perhaps the appointment with the rheumy nurse will be a bit more relaxed. Hope you're all having a good day. Breane.x :P

page35

Hi
have a look on thread "how long for meds to work".
I know some people find hydroxy works very well, its not working for me yet, but ive had no side effects from it either.
its good youre being seen again in 4wks, i was given tabs and thats it for 3months. not even given any info about RA.
I hope they work well for you
all the best
page

frogmorton

Hi Breane
Thank goodness you are on soemthing now!! Bet you are releived?!
I am on hydroxy and so far so good. Not sure it controls EVERYTHING but it's not doing any harm either.
The only prob I had was at first it upset my stomach, but it is FINE with the lanzoprazole.
Good luck and take care
Toni xx

madwestie

Hi Breane, i have been taking hydroxichloquine for 18 months first 200mg a day then 400mg it didn't really do much but they then added MTX now on injections but still taking the plaquenil i didn't have any side effects and with the MTX injectios it is working better.

I hope you get some relief.

elaine5000

Hi Breane
I have been taking Hydroxy for 18 months at 300 mgs daily...max dose for my weight. It took 6 months to work for me but have had a good 12 months with just the odd niggle now and then.
I did get a few of the side effects for the first couple of weeks but nothing now and don't even need the Omeprazole anymore as long as I take it with meals.
Elaine x

roczko

I've just had it added to my sulfa and leflunomide by my rheumy too although haven't picked them up from the docs yet.

Although I did take it a few years ago it was a stand alone treatment; this time the rheumy thinks it might work better in combination.

I don't remember having stomach upsets - is it common?

All the best

Patrick

breane

Hi Patrick,I have taken the first two doses of Hydroxy today so don't know how long it takes before any possible side effects kick in.I think stomach upsets are the main side effect.Iv'e been on Naproxen and Omeprazole for a while now and have had no trouble with either of those so hoping I will be lucky with the Hydroxy.Fingers crossed. !!! Breane.

jenzie06

Hiya,
I've taken hydox... on and off for the past 11yrs with varying results. I don't have any side effects from it but for me it doesn't have a huge effect either. I was told it can take up to 3months to get in and out of your system.
Hope it works for you soon!

Jen

roczko

I really hope it works for you Breane.

Jen, that's my recollection of it too to be honest but as I said, there seems more chance of it working in combination so I'll give it go.

Thanks

Patrick

tweedie

roczko wrote:

I really hope it works for you Breane.

Jen, that's my recollection of it too to be honest but as I said, there seems more chance of it working in combination so I'll give it go.

Thanks

Patrick

Hi ,
I have been on hydroxy for 5 yrs , it takes a while to kick in , but it does help me , it is a little gentler than some other meds , but do take with the stomach protector , you may not feel the damage that is done by a lot of our drugs , not just hydroxy :? do ask about eye damage , ask to see a specialist about this , this was a bonus for me as I was diagnosed with sorjgorns disease (dry eyes) this was not related to the hydroxy BUT to the RA , due to complications I was advised to stop taking hydroxy for a while , BUT within 2 months was told I had not looked as ill for ages by 2 drs :oops: so was put put straight back on it and I am now told I am as well as I can be , so please give it a chance , there are no perfect drugs unfortunately.
All the best
Joanna
(Tweedie)
xx :P

jaspercat

Hi Breane, I was on Hydrocloxiqurine for about 2 years, I am sad to say that they didn't help me at all, I was taken off them and moved onto MXT love Jaspercatxx

roczko

Hi Joanna, I remember the eye test thing too. Had it done at the hospital within a week of starting.

This time round the rheumy just said have an eye test at some point.

Patrick

breane

Hi,Many thanks for all your info on Hydroxy.The rheumy consultant didn't mention anything about having an eye test when taking this med but I did read in the instruction leaflet that a test would be advisable at some time so will ask my GP when I see him on Mon.Since coming off the Naproxen I've noticed a slight tingling in the hands,whether this is an indication the pain and stiffness will return I'm not sure. :? I think it must be the steroids that are keeping the pain at bay. Breane. :P