Drug Ratings for PLAQUENILAverage Rating: 3.3 (569 Ratings)
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Results are sorted by Date Rating Was Added from oldest to most recent Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.) |
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR PLAQUENIL | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
  | F M | | | | |||
| 5 | Incomplete SLE | EXPLOSIVE diarrhea, reflux, gas | The diarrhea seems to have passed, but had it continued it would have been a real problem - it would come on with no warning, no cramps... but a really good cleanout about 1 hour after taking the pills (even with food). Will try acidophilus. I had reflux before taking Plaquenil but it has worsened so I don't wear tie shoes anymore, just slip ons. As for the gas.... the dog did it! After 6 years of symptoms and almost losing my job, in 5 weeks I have NO joint pain, NO night sweats, NO fever, NO kidney pain. I am still very fatigued but that is starting to improve too. I am getting ready to go back to work full time. | F | 37 | 5 weeks | 4/29/2009 | 2 | RA | Break-outs on strange parts of my face. | Didn't control my RA in conjunction with Remicade treatments. | F | 26 | 12 weeks | 5/2/2009 | 5 | Lupus | No side effects. I've been taking Plaquenil for three and a half years. | Since Plaquenil is a disease modifying drug, I would be afraid to be without it. It can do wonders for Lupus symptoms and keep antibody production down. I think it can make a big difference long term in the severity of Lupus. | F | 46 | | 5/7/2009 | 2 | Lupus/"Connective Tissue Disease" | Diarrhea, nausea, dizziness and vertigo accompanied by tingly feeling in face, pain below my right ear, severe heartburn. I was managing migraines with other medication but once I started the Plaquenil, the headaches also started coming back. | While the chronic fatigue and joint pain has lessened, I would rather have that than to constantly be dizzy and nauseous. I can barely function. The inability to function and the fact that I am constantly feeling sick and dizzy is beginning to cause a bit of depression. | F | 36 | 1 months | 5/11/2009 | 5 | Osteo and Psoriatic Arthritis | SMALL AREA OF ITCHING ON MY MIDBACK AND STRANGE, BIZARRE DREAMS. | I HAD ACHING IN FEET, HANDS, KNEES AND SHOULDERS. WITHIN TWO TO THREE WEEKS I WAS ALMOST PAIN FREE. HAD MY EYES CHECKED AND EVERYTHING IS FINE. I HAVE QUARTERLY CHECKUPS WITH MY RHEUMATOLOGIST AND HAVE BEEN DOING WELL. | F | 62 | 1 years | 5/20/2009 | 3 | Inflammatory Arthiritis | Diarrhea is really the only symptom I have experienced. | I have bad joint swelling in my knees, spine and wrists. This medication has slowly been working. I dont feel 100% just yet, but I can tell something is starting to work. I have had only one flare since taking this medication. I hope as the months progress I will feel even better than now. | F | 28 | 1 months | 5/20/2009 | 4 | palindromic RA/SS | Sleepiness, major bloating, cramping, nausea, diarrhea, rumbling, bumps on back and arms with itching, hypoglycema, inability to concentrate. | It seems to have helped some already with my joint and tendon pain. Too soon to tell. Hoping for the side effects to diminish. The GI symptoms have been bad enough to prevent me from leaving the house. | F | 52 | 9 days | 5/23/2009 | 1 | Lupus | On 200 mg 2x per day - severe muscle pain/weakness & joint aches. After lowering to 1 tab per day - within 1 week, severe reaction - large itchy purple patches. Started with itchy scalp & burning indegestion feeling, trouble swallowing. Turned within a few days into large purple hot itchy welts head to toe - hospitalization was necessary. Admitted from ER spent 5 days in hospital on heavy doses of steroids, antibiotics & atarax (benedryl didn't cut it) after a week, I'm home - rash more like prickly heat now - hands and feet (top and bottom) incredibly itchy feel very run down. | I guess it works for some people, not me - if you have ANY reactions that are abnormal - talk with your doctor IMMEDIATELY I don't wish this on anyone | F | 44 | 21 days | 5/23/2009 | 1 | UDCTD | Took first 200 mg pill with food. No side effects for first 20 hours, then nasty diarrhea,stomach nausea, stomach cramps, dizzy,gas, burping, feeling spacey, black out when standing, felt totally out of it - basically non functioning. Terrible brain fog. Forget about driving, going to work, or doing anything other than praying for the drug to get out of your system. Effects lasted for three days, diminishing with each day. Never took a 2nd pill. Also developed sore/scratchy throat which continues at day 3 but doc says not from Plaquenil. Coincidence is too strong. Not on any other medication I can blame. | Could not tolerate 1 pill let alone taking it long term. I think doctors should stop calling this a safe drug. It has terrible side effects even for those on this site that give it a 5. Exchanging one set of intolerable symptoms for another is a poor choice. Sad that a drug that was used in the 1960's for autoimmune is still the gold standard. But hey, we can now cure erectile dysfunction. Medical progress... | F | 50 | 1 days | 5/26/2009 | 5 | Lupus | Have had decrease in appetite and some stomach upset but that seems to be subsiding, otherwise, this medication has done wonders for me, almost ALL of my joint and tendon pain is gone, my energy is returning and I feel like I did long before this disease took over my body. | F | 37 | 1 months | 5/27/2009 | 4 | SLE and CIDP | Loss of appetite completly, and my stomach hurst when I do eat. Weirdly enough I have been uncontrollably happy since I started taking it. Oh and my boyfriend has to force me to eat. | It really does help with the tendom and joint pain. If it will help control the SLE then I will suffer the side effects. I would recommend it to anyone who wants some relief in pain and is will to exchange on bad thing for another. | F | 20 | 4 weeks | 5/30/2009 | 5 | UCTD (lupus like symptoms) | 200mg/d for 2 months; now 200mn/2xd for 1 month: at first stomach pain, but if eat cottage cheese or yogurt before taking Plaquenil, no pain. | I have had less pain, less hair loss (hair loss before starting med), less fevers, less mask, less flares, but still have all of the symptoms except the hair loss. | F | 55 | 3 months | 5/31/2009 | 3 | osteo arthritis | about to start taking it for a 2nd time. found it very effective but it made me photosensitive, which was impossible to manage in the australian summer. And it gave me terrible body odour. | Its now winter so I will start taking Plaquenil again and will try to stay out of the sun. Got a rash and itching if I was exposed to any sunlight. Will have to ask my doctor about taking some Vit D as a top up. Also last time it gave me terroble body odour, I needed 3 showers per day. | F | 47 | 2 times | 6/2/2009 | 4 | Sjogren's Syndrome/Fibromyalgia | Quite a bit of nausea & diarrhea for first 2 months which went away. Also, hair lightening/gray hair not accepting color, yellow spots on lower cheeks. Laser therapy erased them. | It has reduced some of joint pain, peripheral neuropathy pain, and extreme fatigue. Have opthalmology exam later this month, do not have any eye problems (other than SJS dryness)that I know of. | F | 55 | 10 months | 6/5/2009 | 5 | Eosinophilic fasciitis | little gas and feeling tired a bit (body feeling heavy!) | only just started not done a week yet but swelling has gone done so much have more flexibility in ankles joints (where problems are)its amazing - so pleased so far after being on steriods for over 10 yrs (still are due to reduce if this drug works! i do hope so!) | F | 35 | 6 days | 6/10/2009 | 2 | Systemic Lupus | This is the second time I've taken Plaquenil but only the first time I experienced terrible side effects. Vivid nightmares, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting (several times each day), loss of appetite, weight loss, hair loss | F | 21 | 2 months | 6/11/2009 | 3 | Stystemic Lupus Erathematosis | Flashing lights when I went outside. Eye dr first diagnosed as floaters. With field vision test later there was found permanent damage. It seems to be a progressive loss for me. | Plaquenil helped me tremendously in taking care of SLE. After a period 9yrs it had built up in my retina. I think it is a good drug, but must be diligently followed by opthamologist who does field vision tests regularly. | F | 54 | 9 years | 6/13/2009 | 2 | JRA | I started out with horrible stomach pain, I don't get hungry anymore, I get strange high pitched noises in my ear kind of like the weather alerts on TV, and strange dreams, I never remembered my dreams before starting it, and if woken up I'll still be dreaming and talking to people in it sometimes I'll walk around. Now my hands and feet are starting to peel, I am on a lot of other medications for my Intercrainal Hypertension and my doctor just keeps telling me its from taking four other meds. All of the side effects are getting worse. | F | 16 | 2 months | 6/17/2009 | 3 | Lupus | gas, gas and more gas, other stomach problems (from diarrhea to constipation), HUGE weight loss, dry mouth, CRAZY DREAMS! | I have been taking 400 mg per day and while the stomach pain has settled and is less severe, it still is there. I also eat very normally but I have lost almost 30 pounds without trying at all, and now I am underweight. My dreams have become really vivid but I actually kind of like it. The medicine has made me feel less fatigued but my joints still hurt alot. | F | 21 | 6 months | 6/26/2009 | 5 | Antiphospholipid Syndrome and Lupus | Absolutely none | Took three months to start working, but reduction of swelling and therefore pain, and the reduction of Clotting events (Strokes and Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIA's or mini-strokes)) has been tremendous | M | 59 | 7 years | 7/5/2009 | 5 | UCTD | None at first. Now after 6 months, some hair thinning, slight weight loss. | Huge improvement in symptoms within 3 weeks on 400 mg/day. Energy returned, far less fevers. Muscle stiffness and tendon pain virtually gone. I have rhuematoid nodules which have reduced about 80%. I also have Raynaud's which didn't change, but improved greatly with Synthroid I take for Hoshimoto's Thyroiditis. I am grateful this drug is working for me with minimal side effects. I worry about disease progression to the point of needing immunosuppresent drugs like prednisone and other RA drugs. Hopefully, this is all I will need to stay healthy. | F | 53 | 6 months | 7/12/2009 | 4 | UCTD with Lupus like symptoms | Nausea, dry heaves, dizzy, stomach pain, diarrhea, noises in my ears - lasted for about a week to a week and a half. Strange dreams but I have insomnia (pre-plaquenil)so the fact that I am sleeping is a good thing. | This is my second time attempting to get on Plaquenil.The 1st time my mobility improved within the first week but I developed sores in my mouth and nose after being on it for two weeks. By the fourth week my sores were still active. My Rheumy told me to come off of Plaquenil so that we could find out if the sores were part of a "flare" or response to the Plaquenil. The sores cleared. After three months being off of Plaquenil my sores returned when I was "flaring". Hence it was determined that the sores are part of my autoimmune disease not a side effect of Plaquenil. I agree. I am now back on Plaquenil. My muscle and bone stiffness has greatly improved. I've had one flare which was brought on by a fall (I sprained both ankles and my right leg). Even with that trauma- my flare only lasted three days. I have taken Plaquenil for one month taking one 200 mg per day. Now I am entering my second month. I have started taking one 200 mg twice per day. The side effects listed have come back and I am hoping that they subside over the next week like they have in the past month. | F | 44 | 33 days | 7/19/2009 | 5 | RA | Horrible nightmares at first, gone after about 3 months. Have had some skin rashes, but not sure it's the Plaquenil, and have some hair loss/scalp problems. Again, not sure if it's the drug. Ditto on all the gastro problems everyone mentions: gas, bloating, diarrhea from time to time. Some fatigue, but it's much better than when I was in the middle of a flare. | Very satisfied with this drug so far, but have been worried about my hair loss and scalp irritation. I've been basically pain free since it started working (it took about 4 months to really notice). I would be scared to go off of Plaquenil because I feel like I did before the RA. | F | 56 | 3 years | 7/20/2009 | 4 | Sjogren's Syndrome | Initial explosive diarhea and flatulence which cleared after 2 weeks. Increase in yeast infections. I have developed a rash and severe itching and burning in perineal area which may be linked to lichen planus? I have decided to stop taking Plaquenil to see if there is an improvement or not. | Overall Plaquenil worked great for me. My fatigue was GREATLY improved after only 2 months and the ache in my fingers disappeared. After a year the extreme dryness in my eyes was much improved. I am also taking salagen for dry mouth and eyes. I don't feel good about stopping but I need to find out if the yeast infections and severe itching and burning are related to this drug. If not I will go back on it. | F | 57 | 2 years | 7/26/2009 | 3 | Sjogren's | 200mg twice a day caused low blood pressure, poor circulation in extremities, extreme heat radiating from my body that woke me up in the middle of the night, frequent urination, and heart palpitations. Most side effects began at week 10 of the dose. Stopped meds for 30 days, most side effects halted quickly, palpitations slowly decreased but never went entirely away. Went back on at 200mg once a day, palpitations increased in frequency during week two. Not sure if I'll stay on it. | Overall the drug did reduce my aches & pains, dry mouth, and increased my energy. I'll have to weight the pros and cons of staying on it. | F | 32 | 12 weeks | 7/28/2009 | 5 | Lupus-SLE | Yes a little gas but no other side effects as of yet. | I have had joint pain, muscle pain,very low energy I am always tired & with kids I need my energy. This has been going on for the past 4 yrs. I was told I have to deal with it because of the Arthuritis in all my major joints. Well 4 yrs later I was finally diag. with Lupus-SLE. Started taking this July 15,2009 & today is Aug 6, 2009 & it seems to have helped me some so far. I still have my muscle & joint pains,low energy(but I think that is getting a little better.) I hope this will help me !! At least I now have a diag. :o)) | F | 42 | 3 weeks | 8/6/2009 | 5 | RA / Sjogrens | Nausea, gas and bloating...but it completely went away when I stopped taking vitamins and minerals at the same time. I now take vitamins with lunch instead of breakfast. | I have been off and on Plaquenil for 15 years. I am back on it after a 2 yr break, but just discoverd now the vitamin/plaquenil link to nausea. It has always helped with the "flares" and I am already near pain free with reduced swelling. I feel it is the one drug that will keep me off anything more potent for a long time. I hope the vitamin/mineral discovery will help other people who may have a nausea problem. | F | 57 | 1 weeks | 8/7/2009 | 4 | Lupus | diarrhea, severe headaches, itchy-like prickly feeling (similar, but not as intense as the allergic reaction I had to a sulfa drug), increased photo-sensitivity, and it seems like my muscles were MORE weak at times | The diarrhea went away after a couple weeks(thankfully). I initially took 400m daily, but I now take 200m. I know there are serious risks, but the renewed energy is something I've desired for a long time. I used to be terribly fatigued. Weighing the risks is important for those using this medicine. Having the energy to increase my quality of life is important to me, so hopefully the benefits will continue to outweigh the risks. Good luck to everyone using this drug..... | F | 36 | 4 months | 8/17/2009 | 1 | RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS | SEVERE RASH STARTED ON MY LEGS,PROGRESSED TO MY CHEST AND BACK.THE RASH IS NOW ONMY SCALP I LOOK AS IF I HAVE BEEN BADLY BURNED.I HAVE STOPPED TAKING THE DRUG ON PHARMACISTS ADVICE. | THE SIDE AFFECTS OF THIS DRUG SHOULD BE MADE QUITE CLEAR TO PATIENTS.I AM AT MY WITS END AND VERY FRIGHTENED.I WILL NEVER EVER GO BACK ON PLAQUENIL. | F | 62 | 5 weeks | 8/23/2009 | 5 | Lupus sun sensitivity | none | I used to react with terrible itching with even short exposure to the sun. I am still careful and use sensitive skin sunscreen and wear clothing when possible but my life is so much better. | F | 54 | 4 months | 8/25/2009 | 2 | RA type symptoms | Severe depression | It's possible this drug was helping me. I experienced depression that was progressively getting worse, to the point of feeling like I was crazy and out of control (in my mind anyway). I've been off of it for several weeks, however, I still feel very "off." This is the only medication I had been taking which is how I know my depression was caused by plaquenil. | F | 38 | 3 weeks | 8/30/2009 | 4 | Lichen planopilaris | At the beginning (first month) I had crazy weird dreams, muscle fatigue, and strange arthritis like symptoms in my right hand. Since I already have crohn's disease and have a surgically altered intestine...who knows about the diharrhea. After about 2 months my hair condition lichen planopilaris started easing up. Then I started having crazy weight loss. I was about 194 pounds when I started, and now I am about 155 after 4 months. I have been exercising and eating better...but not that much. The super strange thing about it is that the earlier effects like the dreams went away. My dermatologist said that the hair loss is due to the weight loss (? hmmm...), and my crohn's is all but gone now. My immunity has not been compromised because I haven't really gotten sick since I started...and I teach first grade! | Strange but effective. | F | 36 | 5 months | 9/5/2009 | 1 | RA | Severe constant headache, hair loss and ringning in ears. Hair loss occurred 3 months after using - apparently a common delay with medication..so watch out. Headaches stopped when I stopped taking it. | As far as RA concerned,medicine was great - felt like a new woman...pain free. Shame the side effects were unacceptable/ incapacitating | F | 37 | 3 months | 9/10/2009 | 4 | Breast Implant Illness - MCTD | Side Effects = Upset stomach if taken without food; Acne. Story = Ill for 5 months from silicone breast implants. Symptoms were from extreme brain fog (no work, driving, cooking, anything - would get lost in my own house). Pain, fatigue. Tried everything, including steroids. Nothing worked until i was put on a mix of plaquenil, lyrica and cymbalta. I was well for 1.5 years. | Current = Went off plaquenil in March because I have no positive blood tests and had been 100% healthy again - or so everyone around me told me. Was fine till August..got a UTI and took Cipro. Body attacked me again..memory loss immediate, off work, very depressed. Very bad brain fog. I feel like death. I got back on plaquenil 2 weeks ago. PRAY it saves my life again. It has to. | F | 29 | 2 weeks | 9/13/2009 | 5 | Lupus (SLE) | None. | It took about 2.5 months of being on Plaquenil before I began to feel better. My improvement was sudden, as though I "woke up" one day from the fog of fatigue I had been experiencing. Plaquenil has helped to revive my energy level, reduce joint pain, and improve my mood (probably because I have so much more energy now). Now that I have more energy, I can exercise frequently, which in turn helps me to feel healthier and happier. My renewed energy has also made a big difference in my ability to be a good parent and partner, now that I have more patience and a sense of humour again! I am so thankful to my rheumatologist for recommending that I take Plaquenil -- for me it's been the gateway to restored health and is helping me feel hopeful that my disease will stay out of my major organs. | F | 43 | 13 months | 9/28/2009 | 5 | Lupus | I'm on the generic. The first 2 weeks I had a constant dull headache and some stomach discomfort, i.e., gas, nausea and diarrhea. That has gone away for the most part. The med must be taken with food so I take a 200 mg at lunch and a 200 mg at dinner. | I haven't felt this good in at least 9 years (that's how long it took to get a diagnosis). I noticed results by about 3 mos., especially in my fatigue. I'm not as achy anymore, and if I do ache, my anti-inflammatory seems to take care of it for the most part. When I take it, I actually notice a burst of energy for a couple of hours. I'm very encouraged by this medication and hope to be able to remain on it for years to come. It has greatly improved my quality of life. I'm not totally how I used to be but I have good days, and for that I'm grateful. (I am getting eye exams every 6 mos. per my opthamologist.) | F | 49 | 4 months | 9/29/2009 | 1 | RA | Severe loss of appetite,cholestatic hepatitis and pneumonitis. Liver very badly affected and is still ongoing as blood tests show liver function abnormal.Loss of hair colour and no energy of any form. | This drug did have some benefit on RA,, however, the side effects were such that on medical advice I discontinued taking this drug and will not be going back to it as some of the damage is irreversible. | F | 61 | 3 months | 10/8/2009 | 3 | seronegative spondyloarthropathy | NONE | didn't really help. Rheumy still has me on it but since my symptoms never left and I'm in a flare again he added methotrexate. | F | 35 | 6 months | 10/9/2009 | 5 | Systemic Lupus | Occasionally I'll experience diarrhea, a rash or headaches but nothing major. | I first started taking 200mg twice a day and stopped the prednisone, thank God. Now, I'm in a maintence plan. I take 1 200mg once a day. I've been doing great since. No major joint pains, once in a while if I'm in a lot of stress, I'll flare but its under control. | F | 44 | 6 years | 10/14/2009 | 4 | systemic lupus | stomach ache when taken without food, really nothing else | it really helped with my lupus symptoms, but my energy level is still low...that may be due to the lupus. Achy joints , etc...gone | F | 55 | 2 months | 10/22/2009 | 5 | RA inflammatory arthritis | Stomach cramping, bloating, gas, occasional diarrhea. | Before Plaquenil my fingers were swollen like sausages, and stiff and excruciatingly painful. It took at least 2 hours to get out of bed in the morning (stiffness and pain) and I couldn't be in a still position (sitting, lying down, standing, anything) for more than 5 minutes without stiffening up completely. Plaquenil changed my life for the better in spite of side effects. The pain is somewhat decreased due to the drastic decrease in inflammation, however the stiffness is so dramatically decreased it's amazing. I've been on this drug for 4 years. I have all the RA symptoms (sero negative), (a son,nephew and cousins with Crohn's, which is the same gene as RA) with secondary Sjogrens (has not helped these symptoms) Thank God for Plaquenil, but I'm now looking to try something else because the stomach issues are really bad. I just found out some info from the rheumy: GENERIC PLAQUENIL IS FULL OF LACTOSE!! THE BRAND HAS A LOT LESS LACTOSE. She said that GI symptoms should be less using the brand, however at a $45/month copay vs. $20/3 month supply. I'm severely lactose intollerent, so decided to cut back on the Plaquenil to see how I'd do... it was horrible; in just a few days, my fingers started to swell up and I couldn't easily get up! Hopefully we can find a drug to work as well without the stomach issues. | F | 59 | 4.5 years | 11/3/2009 | 5 | Lupus-SLE | Excess saliva, metal taste in my mouth, hair loss, total loss of appetite and now a year later I'm down to 119 pounds and I'm 5'9". Took about 6 weeks to get over side effects, but the swollen joints and weekly flares are GONE! They were an everyday part of my life as a young mom of two and now they are gone! I was DX when I was 25 and am now 37, I was on Plaquenil in the very begining and swore I'd never get back on it due to headaches and stomach problems. I think I just felt so bad all over anyway during those early weeks of figuring out what was wrong I can't blame it all on Plaquenil. Was hospitalized last year due to a bad flare and Rheumotologist insisted I go back on after all these years! I decided to give it a try and am thrilled. After reading all the comments I wonder if I shouldn't be taking this in the morning for the boost of energy instead of before bed. Duh, I even have trouble sleeping but didn't know why! I'm so glad I read all of your comments, I wills | The reason I came looking for help was my weight loss. I'm 5'9" and have lost a lot of weight over the last year while on plaquenil. I was 145 and am now 119, I eat a healthy diet, but by no means try to lose weight. I did see some people report weight loss and lack of appetite which is what I encountered as well | F | 37 | 1 years | 11/30/2009 | 3 | MCTD | After about a month, excitation. So I stopped it completely for about a montth, then started taking it again, this time 200mg a day and have started feeling depressed. Mood changes are the only side effects I have experienced so far. | F | 49 | 60 days | 12/11/2009 | 4 | RA | I began taking Plaquenil 600mg for the first 30 days. The only side effect was nausea which improved. | This medication has reduced my inflammation. I no longer have the pain and swelling in my joints. A "bonus" side effect is that I lose weight while on this medication. | F | 42 | 2 years | 12/18/2009 | 1 | Sjogren's | I am writing this for my 17 year old son who took Plaquenil for Sjogren's. He experienced severe depression, anger, anxiety while on this medication. | No longer will be taking Plaquenil. | M | 17 | 21 days | 12/26/2009 | 1 | LUPUS | After 3 weeks on medication I began with intense itching at night (no hives or visible marks) on scalp, face, neck, upper arms, chest and back. Hair bleaching and falling out as much, if not more, than before the med. Intense gas and bloating (very noticeable). | Immediately discontinued the medication (3 days ago). Still having intense itching at night and hoping that it goes away soon! I will not go back on this medication. | F | 32 | 3 weeks | 12/29/2009 | 2 | For RA - pseudo gout | itching! On arms, legs, back, waist. Loss of hair, and thinning of skin, slow weight loss of 15 lbs. | I was put on Plaq. for a high RA Factor. (400) and was diagnosed as having RA because of one swollen joint. After a year of plaq. I saw another Rheumatologist at UCLA that emphatically told me I did not have RA but CPPD -- calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease -- also called pseudo gout that can make a joint flare. But I have stayed on plaq because both doctors said it might help my joints, in spite of the itching while my MD here in No Cal and my UCLA MD fight over my DX. So will this hurt me? I really don't like the side effects but don't want another flare up...My RA Factor is creeping up again...Is this working? | 72 | 2 years | 1/9/2010 | 1 | RA | Within 2 weeks of starting I have a severly itchy rash that has spead all over my body, went to hospital as I felt as though my throat and tounge were swelling, was there 15 mins and sent home to suffer with no suggestions or alternative treatment or relief.It's now 7 days since I stopped taking it and still have rash. I would not wish this one anyone, stopped Plaquenil and even with Zyrtec, and Prednisone still unbearable and no relief. | Dr's mention the possibility of a rash but not the likey severity and longevity of the attack!! I will nevr touch this medication again. | F | 42 | 10 days | 1/11/2010 | 4 | Undifferentiated Auto-immune Dis. | I, as many others, experienced some nausea in the beginning, and for the first 2 1/2 weeks thought my symptoms may be worsening instead of getting better. After about 2.5 weeks, I woke up one morning, and noticed feeling better. Less achy, more energy, etc. After a year of being unable to breathe, all of a sudden I could actually breathe again, and I didn't feel nearly each day like I'd been in a car accident (w/ the overall joint aches). I've now been on this medication for about 4 weeks now, and have already lost 5 lbs without trying. I am LOVING this medication! I feel 10 years younger and can now do a better job of chasing my 2 small ones around! I still feel some achiness and it is still tight and hurts in my lungs a little, but it's hard to describe how this medication has already changed my life in just 4 weeks time. Thank you to the Rheumatologist that finally stopped saying "Fibromyalgia" and found the right dx and medication to treat my problems! | No side effects other than good ones. Slight nausea is very bearable. Good weight loss/appetite management and boost of energy to boot. | F | 32 | 4 weeks | 1/16/2010 | 1 | Undiff. connective tissue disease | Nueropathy, anxiety and depression, insomnia. Gas and abdominal pain. Diarrhea. Mild itching. Could not continue beyond four weeks. | Overrated drug with underreported side effects, especially when it comes to neuropsychiatric manifestations. | M | 39 | 4 weeks | 1/23/2010 | 5 | ra/lupus/sjorgrens/psoriatic arth. | No side effects. And I will mention I am most sensitive to meds/otc etc. but this was a GOD sent med to me! | This drug instantly got my life back. DAILY, I had terrible arm pain/low grade fever and overall felt horrible. W/N a week of taking this med, each day some of the symptoms disappeared. Am taking 200mg 2 times a day/eye test 2 times a year. | F | 57 | 7 years | 1/24/2010 | 5 | undiagnosed autoimmune | For the first 3 weeks severe nausea, gas and diarhea. During the fourth week developed horrible headaches. That has all resolved as long as I eat a meal with the meds. | As far as I'm concerned it's a wonder drug. I have suffered with severe joint pain, chronic anemia and low iron levels. All of my pain is gone and my labs have all improved to normal. I do still get some gas and bloating, but I think it's worth the lack of pain and energy I get on the meds. I haven't felt this good in years! | F | 36 | 3 months | 1/25/2010 | 4 | UCTD (lupus-like), Fibro | Have been taking for almost 1 year. The drug was nothing short of a Godsend and I experienced more relief from inflammation and pain than in years, even though there was a mild adjustment period of a few weeks with dizziness and some nausea. Now, am experiencing moderate hair loss and inability to grow my hair beyond a certain length, experiencing odd reactions to the way my hair responds to hair color when I color my hair, and now an overall body rash, which I would currently consider mild. The other thing that I notice is that for the first time in my life, I am depressed much of the time, which interferes tremendously with my daily routine, motivation, and general outlook on life. While I appreciate that this medication offers fewer long term issues and side effects than most drugs used for this type of autoimmune disease, am still quite concerned about these side effects that are now presenting themselves! | F | 59 | 11 months | 1/27/2010 | 1 | Rhematoid Arthritis | Severe depression, same reaction as when I took Neurontin, Topamax and Sulfasalazine....anxiety, itchy scalp, loss of appetite...the emotional breakdown is the worst part....I feel horrible....I started out taking it twice a day but had the loss of appetite and tinnitus so stopped for two weeks and then started again at once a day with these horrid side effects. I am done with it and afraid to try anything else. | F | 57 | 15 days | 1/27/2010 | 2 | SLE | I have been taking 400mg Plaquenil for 4.5 yrs. Up until recently not too many side effects. Have noticed over the last year mild hair thinning along base of scalp and behind ears. and ringing in my ears. | I have had no eye problems I have them checked every 4-6 months. | M | 32 | 4.5 years | 1/29/2010 | 2 | unpleasant side effects | Experienced all side effects mentioned by others, which made it almost impossible to continue. | I also have fear of this med.; after all, it is suppressing the immune system! Have any of you tried the Antibiotic treatment for all rh. diseases? Although few doctors use it, and med. schools don't really teach it, research has revealed that these diseases aren't "immune systems gone haywire," but they are the result of tiny Micro. bacteria which hide deep within cells. Even tho they can't always be seen on slides, when treated with PARTICULAR low-dose antibiotics, the diseases respond greatly; most go into remission, and some patients declare themselves cured. (Doctors don't, however, because of the ability of the bacteria to hang on.) Long-term treatment with THE antibiotic has not proven harmful, when the patient is properly observed. And, the doctor doesn't even have to be an RH one; any who will agree to use this protocal is fine. (Dermatologists already use this antibiotic in treating skin diseases.).....Go to link, "The Road Back," for more info. With all the harmful drugs you are or will be on, it makes no sense not to give this a try. (This research was conducted primarily in the 80's & 90's, but was successfully used by the doctor who 'discovered' it as long ago as 1948! | F | 40 | 4 weeks | 1/30/2010 | 5 | RA | In the beginning I had some stomach upset and nausea -- but that only lasted for the first month or so. I was on a high dose at first and I was also taking other meds that affected by stomach at that time. | This has been a good drug for me. I have almost no visible RA symptoms now, and my doctor has cut back the medication to a low maintenance level. I feel really good and consider myself very lucky. | F | 56 | 2 years | 2/2/2010 | 4 | DISCOID LUPUS | UPSET STOMACH PAIN LOWER BACK BAD DREAMS SOME DAYS OK | RASH HAS CLEARED 50% WILL WAIT UNTIL CLEAR WILL CUT TABLETS DOWN TO 1 PER DAY | F | 54 | 7 days 200 2X D | 2/8/2010 | 4 | Undiff Connective Tissue Disease | I think it made me depressed. Prior to taking it, I'd have said I was prone to low moods sometimes, but always knew how to tap in to the things that gave me a lift, and looked forward to life in general. Slowly over the last 5 years or so, I think Plaq flattened my mood to such an extent that I looked forward to nothing - I had lost my exuberance totally. Also think it made my hair lose its colour - but that's hard to say as I am middle aged now! | I'd say it helped me greatly initially, but then the effect reached a 'plateau' and I never got back to my pre-UCTD self. Guess that's expecting too much. I stopped taking it a couple of weeks ago, because I was still aching daily anyway and I wanted to see what I'm like without it now - to see if my mood can be lifted. I feel I pretty much dragged myself through life during my 40s and I can't face doing that into my 50s too. Also, worried about potential effect on eyes and liver with such long term usage. | F | 49 | 5 years 400mg 1X D | 2/8/2010 | 1 | Grannuloma Annulare | none that I am aware, but have to take quarterly eye exams. | so far I've seen ZERO benefit from this medication. In fact I dare say my condition has worsened. | M | 48 | 7 weeks 200 mg 1X D | 2/8/2010 |