PLAQUENIL

barbara01
barbara01 Member Posts: 85
edited 15. Jan 2010, 06:32 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi All have just posted about Lodine but would also like to hear from anyone who is on Plaquenil for some advise...in flare at the mo and only just started...how long did they take to work , and what side effects have they had. Does anyone have blood done on these? Have they caused Anaemia.

thanks to you all

Barbara x

Comments

  • Starburst
    Starburst Member Posts: 2,546
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I started it less than 2 months ago. Finally, I am getting some improvement in symptoms. I think it may be causing anaemia because I keep getting nose bleeds but I'm waiting to get a blood test.

    Hope this helps.
  • porrig
    porrig Member Posts: 25
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I've been on it for about 6 weeks now, no side effects, and no need for blood tests (I am having blood tests for MTX once a month as I'm still on that).

    Main thing is to get your eyes tested so that they have a baseline to compare against 12 months from now.

    I haven't noticed any benefit yet, but I was told it could be up to 4 months before they take effect.
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,057
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Barbara
    I take them no probs (have to have an eye test as they can cause probs with your eyes) .
    They take about 3 months I think to work. No side effects at all. I have ben pleased with them so far.
    No 1. reason NO BLOODS!!! I am a needle phobe! :wink:
    Good luck
    Toni x
  • breane
    breane Member Posts: 392
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Barbara,I have OA and RA and have been on Plaquenil(Hydroxy) for 7 months and have had no side effects from them. :) They do take 3-4 months to get into the system.During the time I've been taking them I have had blood tests done once a month and you must get an eye test done once a year to make sure there is no damage to the back of the eye due to taking the drug.I saw my rheumy consultant last week and he has lowered the Plaquenil to just one a day and blood tests every 6 months instead of monthly.Although at the moment I have a lot of shoulder pain,apparently not arthritis,more a muscle problem so I am back on Naprosyn and the stomach protector.If the shoulder pain persists my Gp is going to give me a steroid injection. Hope the Plaquenil will work for you. Breane.
  • valval
    valval Member Posts: 14,911
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    hi been on them since 30th dec. doc says do not need bloods doing but do need eye tests yearly think they helping but take about 12 weeks to show affects. rhummy sent doc letter telling her which meds he will try if this does not work lol
    val
  • suziev
    suziev Member Posts: 252
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    hi

    i've been on it over a year now and this is the best winter i have had in 4 years! ( touching wood as i write this)
    i would say give it 6 months but i've really improved on it, i still had a flare in the summer set off by another problem but all in all am doing well.
    hope that gives you some hope
    suzie x
  • barbara01
    barbara01 Member Posts: 85
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi everyone

    Thanks so much for the replies, very encouraging I'm just hoping this works for me as one of the least toxic drugs. Can anyone tell me what dose they are on and whether they take anthing else with it?

    Hope you are all having a pain free day and that the snow is thawing so we can all get back to normal 'whatever normal is?'

    Love Barbara
  • valval
    valval Member Posts: 14,911
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    on 200mg twice a day naproxin and co-codamol rattle when walk but think things getting better so hope works for u
    val

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