side effects on plaquenil?

millie78

Hi all.
I've been on plaquenil since September. Certainly since December I've been permanently run down, congested, sore throat, tired, achey, all fairly mild but difficult nevertheless! I went twice to the gp who said little and gave nothing. Mote recently I had massive patch of dry scaly skin on back of neck and huge swollen glands in neck which went on 4 weeks so gp gave antibiotics, he did chest xray and bloods all clear. All resolved and for 3 days ivfelt well but now I'm back with achey feeling and sore throat. I'm thinking of ringing consultant to see if it could be plaquenil side effects but thought is ask u guys first?

caroldeeg

I take Hydroxychloroquine which is the same and I must admit I keep getting swollen glands in my neck and a fluey feeling. Its very good and works for me but I dont like it much, It makes me sleepy and just not right if u know what I mean.
Dont forget when taking this to have your eyes tested regularly as it can affect your sight.

crabtree123

caroldeeg wrote:

I take Hydroxychloroquine which is the same and I must admit I keep getting swollen glands in my neck and a fluey feeling. Its very good and works for me but I dont like it much, It makes me sleepy and just not right if u know what I mean.
Dont forget when taking this to have your eyes tested regularly as it can affect your sight.

Yes , I also came off Hydroxychloroquine as it was effecting my eye sight. Crabtree .

stickywicket

I've taken it for years with no side effects at all. This doesn't mean to say you won't get them but I think it's regarded as a pretty safe med as long as you keep having the eye tests.

millie78

Thanks u guys. I have been assured by my rheumy that eye tests aren't necessary anymore? That's interesting one! I've spoken to his secretary today waiting for callback. Will let u know.

suzygirl

Hi Millie, the sore throat and swollen glands, fluey feeling may be part of your disease rather than side effects of the plaquenil. Eye tests are necessary for this med, as the med builds up in your ssytem the longer you take it. Thereby you need to check for retinal toxicity, a rare side effect but it does happen to few.

Its your health and if it were me, I would insist on the eye test, ask the gp.

millie78

Really? Part of The disease? How do u know if that is the cause and can u do anything about it?
Thx for info on eyes. My rheumy was adamant tests arent necessary. Does your average optician eye test cover what u need ?

suzygirl

What is your diagnosis? Some people expereince the inflammation as a sore throat, swollen glands etc. I know I do, maybe others will agree? If the next couple of days my joints flare I know it is disease, if it develops into a cold then I know its different.

I think for the plaquenil eye test you need a visual field test, your optician should be able to advise you.

millie78

Thanks for the info. I have rheumatoid arthritis. Wasn't aware these could be symtpms also.

frogmorton

Hi Millie

am fine on this (upset my belly a tiny bit)

Tiredness is part fo the actual disease l think too :? ....

I think the eye test my optician does is the apgar chart.

A year or so back l had to go to the eye hosp with a 4 day migraine arua( not relevant), but they offered to keep an eye (pardon the pun) on my eyes because of the hydroxy.

Love

Toni xxx