Plaquenil - Hydroxychloroquine Sulphate

joseyanna
joseyanna Member Posts: 22
edited 20. May 2009, 04:54 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi, I have been taking Plaquenil for 5 weeks as the Rhumy diagnosed me with inflamatory joint disease. I was told they take 12 weeks to work. I thought they had started to work at the weekend as I felt really good but then on Tuesday I woke up with a painful neck, shoulders and lower back and aching all over with the dreadful fatigue back. (At least I had a wonderful day out with my little boy on Mothers Day). Has anyone else taken Plquenil and how long did it take to start working?

Comments

  • newark
    newark Member Posts: 32
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    joseyanna wrote:
    Hi, I have been taking Plaquenil for 5 weeks as the Rhumy diagnosed me with inflamatory joint disease. I was told they take 12 weeks to work. I thought they had started to work at the weekend as I felt really good but then on Tuesday I woke up with a painful neck, shoulders and lower back and aching all over with the dreadful fatigue back. (At least I had a wonderful day out with my little boy on Mothers Day). Has anyone else taken Plquenil and how long did it take to start working?

    Hi,

    I took plquenil a few years back and did find that it worked ok. Didn't stay on it for long as the eye tests found that I had the side effect of reduced field of vision. Not sure if the current drug is the same - if so you would have been advised about this and set up for eye appointments. I think the NSIADs are all alike in that they do work on a day to day basis but if your arthritis peaks in a flare up they don't seem to touch it. Sometimes a virus or bug can do this.

    Keep a record of when they don't work and how often and see if there are any obvious triggers (doing this before you go back to Docs saves no end of time). I would go back to Docs if you still find they aren't touching it after another week or so. There are plenty of these drugs out there, it's a matter of finding the one that best suits you. No point putting up with the pain.

    Hope you start to feel better soon.
    x
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,332
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Joseyana
    I'm on it and so far it has been quite good for me.
    I don't know whether we will still get times like you describe from time to time - possible i suppose still to get flares.
    My eyes are ok so far - have been on it since August last year.
    I hope otherwise you are ok?
    Take care
    Toni x
  • elaine5000
    elaine5000 Member Posts: 33
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    joseyanna wrote:
    Hi, I have been taking Plaquenil for 5 weeks as the Rhumy diagnosed me with inflamatory joint disease. I was told they take 12 weeks to work. I thought they had started to work at the weekend as I felt really good but then on Tuesday I woke up with a painful neck, shoulders and lower back and aching all over with the dreadful fatigue back. (At least I had a wonderful day out with my little boy on Mothers Day). Has anyone else taken Plquenil and how long did it take to start working?

    Hi Josey :D
    I have Inflammatory Arthritis (type unknown) and have been on Hydroxy for about 18 months now. I had to be very patient in the beginning as it took 6 to 7 months to work for me. I'm doing really well on it now...just the odd setback now and then...so well worth the wait.
    Hope you get some benefit from it very soon, hun.
    Love & hugs
    Elaine x
  • vijaysa
    vijaysa Member Posts: 26
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi

    I was on Hydroxychlorquine for RA for 4 years. It tool 3 months to start working. Please have your eyes checked at least every 6 months. Not just a vision test but they need to dialate the pupils and look into the eye. I used to have my eyes checked every year and they always said it was fine. After 4 years I started to see patches that were blank. Eye specialist diagnosed pigment maculopathy. I have a hole in the macular (centre of the retina) in both eyes. The condition is not reversible. If I look at a persons face there are patches that are blank so I have to shift my gaze to get the whole picture. Poor light conditions make it worse so I do not drive at night. My eye specialist is totally against the use of hydoxychloroquine and says that if you are using it you should have eye checks every 4 months. It does however work very well, so if you are using it have your eyes checked regularly. Vijay
  • suziev
    suziev Member Posts: 252
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    hi

    i've been taking it for 6 months now and it is working, i have had flare ups but i also have good days too, i have just managed 4 days in london so it must be working!
    i also will be now taking an eye test every six months thanks for the warning!
    suzie x
  • elaine5000
    elaine5000 Member Posts: 33
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    vijaysa wrote:
    Hi

    I was on Hydroxychlorquine for RA for 4 years. It tool 3 months to start working. Please have your eyes checked at least every 6 months. Not just a vision test but they need to dialate the pupils and look into the eye. I used to have my eyes checked every year and they always said it was fine. After 4 years I started to see patches that were blank. Eye specialist diagnosed pigment maculopathy. I have a hole in the macular (centre of the retina) in both eyes. The condition is not reversible. If I look at a persons face there are patches that are blank so I have to shift my gaze to get the whole picture. Poor light conditions make it worse so I do not drive at night. My eye specialist is totally against the use of hydoxychloroquine and says that if you are using it you should have eye checks every 4 months. It does however work very well, so if you are using it have your eyes checked regularly. Vijay

    Thanks :D for the advice Vijay. My Gp said I needed to have my eyes checked every 12 months but when I had my second annual eye exam & colour test at the hospital in January my Ophthalmologist automatically made next appointment for July for both eye exam & visual fields test. No explanation why but I do suffer from dry eyes as well.
    With both dry eyes & Plaquenil (Hydroxy) I don't seem to be able to see brilliantly even with my specs...especially in bad light.

    Elaine x
  • lyndabr
    lyndabr Member Posts: 8
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    elaine5000 wrote:
    vijaysa wrote:
    Hi

    I was on Hydroxychlorquine for RA for 4 years. It tool 3 months to start working. Please have your eyes checked at least every 6 months. Not just a vision test but they need to dialate the pupils and look into the eye. I used to have my eyes checked every year and they always said it was fine. After 4 years I started to see patches that were blank. Eye specialist diagnosed pigment maculopathy. I have a hole in the macular (centre of the retina) in both eyes. The condition is not reversible. If I look at a persons face there are patches that are blank so I have to shift my gaze to get the whole picture. Poor light conditions make it worse so I do not drive at night. My eye specialist is totally against the use of hydoxychloroquine and says that if you are using it you should have eye checks every 4 months. It does however work very well, so if you are using it have your eyes checked regularly. Vijay

    Thanks :D for the advice Vijay. My Gp said I needed to have my eyes checked every 12 months but when I had my second annual eye exam & colour test at the hospital in January my Ophthalmologist automatically made next appointment for July for both eye exam & visual fields test. No explanation why but I do suffer from dry eyes as well.
    With both dry eyes & Plaquenil (Hydroxy) I don't seem to be able to see brilliantly even with my specs...especially in bad light.

    Elaine x

    i have been taking plaquenil now for 5 years and went for my yearly eye check last week to be told there is a change in my eyes so the optician was informing my doctor havent heard any thing as yet . what do they do at the hospital ?? will they take me off these tablets ??

    lynda
  • elaine5000
    elaine5000 Member Posts: 33
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Lynda :D

    The eye check at the hospital is nothing to worry about...totally painless.
    They first check my colour vision by reading coloured numbers in a book. Then they put 2 lots of drops in my eyes to dilate the pupils and the Ophthalmologist has a close look in my eyes with a light. This last time I had an extra test by putting paper under my eyelids for a couple of minutes but I think this was to check how dry my eyes were.
    I guess it will depend on what the problem is whether they will stop the Plaquenil or not.

    Elaine x
  • lyndabr
    lyndabr Member Posts: 8
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    elaine5000 wrote:
    Hi Lynda :D

    The eye check at the hospital is nothing to worry about...totally painless.
    They first check my colour vision by reading coloured numbers in a book. Then they put 2 lots of drops in my eyes to dilate the pupils and the Ophthalmologist has a close look in my eyes with a light. This last time I had an extra test by putting paper under my eyelids for a couple of minutes but I think this was to check how dry my eyes were.
    I guess it will depend on what the problem is whether they will stop the Plaquenil or not.

    Elaine x


    hi elaine

    thanks for that not so worried now .. ive been taking them now 5 years and do ok on them still get flare ups but not so bad or often and i dont fancy trying out new medication ..

    lynda
  • vickijaneholliday
    vickijaneholliday Member Posts: 16
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    joseyanna wrote:
    Hi, I have been taking Plaquenil for 5 weeks as the Rhumy diagnosed me with inflamatory joint disease. I was told they take 12 weeks to work. I thought they had started to work at the weekend as I felt really good but then on Tuesday I woke up with a painful neck, shoulders and lower back and aching all over with the dreadful fatigue back. (At least I had a wonderful day out with my little boy on Mothers Day). Has anyone else taken Plquenil and how long did it take to start working?

    Hi Joseanna
    I have been diagnosed with inflammatory joint disease -sero positive??
    I have an appointment tomorrow and after these last findings I am presuming I will have the RA diagnosis that I have been expecting for 5 years!!
    I have been taking Diclofenic on and off all this time but in December he gave me Plaquenil,I was told it would take three months to take affect and in that time I could take both drugs.
    When the new drug starts to work I can come off the diclo.
    I came off them in February and haven't looked back.
    I have noticed lots of people on the Forum talk about eye examinations which I am going to ask about tomorrow.4 monthly check ups are advisable,I believe.
    good luck I hope it works for you too!

    V xx
  • jimmy77
    jimmy77 Member Posts: 71
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    joseyanna wrote:
    Hi, I have been taking Plaquenil for 5 weeks as the Rhumy diagnosed me with inflamatory joint disease. I was told they take 12 weeks to work. I thought they had started to work at the weekend as I felt really good but then on Tuesday I woke up with a painful neck, shoulders and lower back and aching all over with the dreadful fatigue back. (At least I had a wonderful day out with my little boy on Mothers Day). Has anyone else taken Plquenil and how long did it take to start working?

    Hi,
    I took it for several months and when I didn't really see any improvement when I asked the rheumy he said it could take up to a year to work. I told him that must be a joke and either I get on something else that works now or I will get another rheumy.

    jimmy
  • joseyanna
    joseyanna Member Posts: 22
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi everybody,
    Thanks for all your replies, with such useful information. I am still waiting for it to work! (Have just counted on the calander and I have been on it for just over 7 weeks :(:( ). I'm not very patient and want it to work now. Sorry but I feel like my life is on hold. I can't sleep as the pain in my neck and shoulders is worse when I lie on them. Don't I sound like a right moaning minnie, sorry :!: :!: .
    Is anyone else still awake at this time, I'm waiting to see if my dihydrocodeine will take effect. Take care love and hugs to you all. Josey
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,332
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Josey
    My rheumy put me on amitriptylinr to help me sleep when in pain. Might that be an idea???
    Nothing worse than lack of sleep :(
    Take care
    Toni x
  • alibongo
    alibongo Member Posts: 24
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Im new to forum, i was diagnosed with RA 18 months ago and have been taking methotrexate, because i seemed to have stalled the consultant has put me on plaquenil as well. he mentioned eye problems and that i need to get my eyes checked every 12 months but after reading these posts I think i will speak to my optician, she is very good and has looked after my son who has diabetes so has to have his eyes looked after. I'm glad I read this as it is better to be forewarned about problems and keep an eye on things (no pun intended)

    thanks

    Alison
  • page35
    page35 Member Posts: 1,081
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    alibongo wrote:
    Hello Im new to forum, i was diagnosed with RA 18 months ago and have been taking methotrexate, because i seemed to have stalled the consultant has put me on plaquenil as well. he mentioned eye problems and that i need to get my eyes checked every 12 months but after reading these posts I think i will speak to my optician, she is very good and has looked after my son who has diabetes so has to have his eyes looked after. I'm glad I read this as it is better to be forewarned about problems and keep an eye on things (no pun intended)

    thanks

    Alison


    i,ve only just started taking plapuenil and was also told to have eye test every 12m but it says in packet every 6m. will deffinatly be going every 6m now i,ve reed this.
    thanks

    page
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Jean

    Bumped this post up for you - may be of interest.

    Luv
    Elna
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • jrichardson
    jrichardson Member Posts: 7
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    alibongo wrote:
    Hello Im new to forum, i was diagnosed with RA 18 months ago and have been taking methotrexate, because i seemed to have stalled the consultant has put me on plaquenil as well. he mentioned eye problems and that i need to get my eyes checked every 12 months but after reading these posts I think i will speak to my optician, she is very good and has looked after my son who has diabetes so has to have his eyes looked after. I'm glad I read this as it is better to be forewarned about problems and keep an eye on things (no pun intended)

    thanks

    Alison
    Hi
    I am new to the forum (yesterday) & suffer from OA & PA & I have previously been on Methotrexate, Lefunomide, & Sulfasalazine but had awful side effects from them all.
    Now the Consultant has suggested Hydroxychloroquine may be the one that will work for me (there must be something that will work) & he mentioned yearly eye test at the consult but said problems were extremely rare.
    Reading the messages of the forum makes me think maybe this "Rare" is not as rare as he makes out & I will ask (firmly) for a 4 monthly eye test.
    Thanks for the honest chit chat on this forum it really is helpful to hear from people with experience.
    Jean :) :roll: