Drug Ratings for PLAQUENILAverage Rating: 3.3 (567 Ratings)
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Results are sorted by Gender with males listed first 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 | | | | |||
| 4 | repetitive strain injury | none | I have been taking Plaquenil for 6 months after disabling pains in my wrists from computer use. Doctors suspected an underlying connective tissue disorder but can't put their finger on anything. I believe plaquenil has been helping, in addition to some lifestyle changes, so that I'm still able to work on computers and live with managable pain. Has anyone else taken Plaquenil for RSI? | F | 25 | 6 months | 10/6/2006 | 4 | Sjogrens Syndrome Primary | I do experience the diahrea on occasion. Do have slight vision problems, and the hair loss. | Plaquenil has reduced my flareups and hosptilizations. I still sufferer from fatigue due to lung and heart involvement of my disease. But taking plaquenil with immuran, predinisone, neourotin and other pain meds, has made it possible for me to have a better quality of life. | F | 56 | 5 years | 11/23/2004 | 4 | rheumatoid arthritis | F | 54 | 5 years | 11/8/2004 | 4 | polymyalgia rhuematica | I have been taking 2--200mg. tablets a day for 6 weeks (plaquenil) I am feeling much better, my muscles are not so stiff & painful. No side effects so far. | F | 80 | 6 weeks | 12/10/2005 | 4 | MCTD, Sjrogren's Syndrome | I have loss of appetite, but no nausea. My hair color seemed to lighten and my skin looks more tan-doctor said pigmentation changes aren't unheard of and not be concerned as long as no visual changes. My body seems to tolerate this medication fairly well. | Definetely feel better on this medication than off it. It took about 6 weeks to work, but once it did, I noticed a world of a difference. My hands were once so swollen I couldn't wear my rings anymore, I was in constant pain, sleeping very poorly, and had absolutely no energy. After 6 weeks, the swelling went down. At two months, I started sleeping through the night and the pain had faded to a dull ache. Now I am virtually pain-free. I'm a preschool teacher, and I have more energy than my students! | F | 25 | 3 months 200 2X D | 12/2/2012 | 4 | Sjogrens,Raynauds,Possible RA | I am allergic to a long list of drugs. Nurses groan when I take the list of allergies. I did not have a single symptom on the brand name Plaquenil. None, no stomach problems, no diarrhea. I was waiting for the side effects and none occurred. | Helped me to get out of bed, decreased fatigue. Not a great improvement but much better. After 3 months my rib pain decreased and knee pain decreased greatly. I thought it would be a cure though. Not so. My mistake. Definitely helps though. I would still be in bed without it. | F | 54 | 1 years 200 mg 2X D | 2/6/2013 | 4 | sjogrens/ra | sleepy for several weeks, slowly went away | i couldnt walk up and down stairs, now i can walk 6 miles in 1.5 hours :) also take fish oil and gluosamine chondroiton | F | 25 | 1.2 years | 3/29/2006 | 4 | RA | Gas,burping, bloating, acid reflux, stomach pain | Had loose stools in the first 24 hours (I'm not prone to that at all so I'm sure it was the drug) but that cleared up right away. Actually, I'd have to say that it has improved my bowel function. It wasn't until the 30 day mark that this other GI stuff started. I did take several doses without food, so I'm wondering if that could have caused it. AT 10 days I started seeing big improvements in the morning stiffness that had been dogging me for months, so in that respect I was pleasantly surprised because I wasn't expecting any help before 2-3months. Dr. had said that patients continue to improve even more in the 6-12 month range and he didn't know why it takes so long. I had resisted these other drugs because of the side effects, but while the dr. was patient, he kept suggesting it. It has definately made an improvement in my condition. He says he's had a lot of success in patients like me, who have been on the drug for "decades" and that he's had no eye issues in patients | F | 52 | 34 days | 2/26/2008 | 4 | Blood tests confirmed SLE/shogrens | abdominal gas and gurgling. So far, that's all. (hope it stays that way!) | Joint pain is all but gone. Knees still have some aches and joint popping, but nowhere near what they were. That all over feeling tired and achy is gone! Even tho my Dr. did not see any outward signs of Lupus (tell tale rash, etc) he decided to try me on this and it really has helped. I don't think I even realized how badly I was feeling until I stopped feeling that way. I guess I just thought it was normal. I'm really glad to find out that it is NOT! | F | 51 | 7 weeks | 1/15/2007 | 4 | SLE | only experienced the nausea once in 4 months. uncomfortable bloating. weight gain (10 lbs in 4 months) extreme fatigue. mood "rollercoaster". | i take 300mg/1 daily of plaquenil and 10mg/1 daily of prednisone. they have helped leaps & bounds for my joint pain and have kept my skin under control. i continue to have severe weight issues which have led to much sadness & feeling like a failure. (round face, jeans dont fit, tops too tight, etc.) i hope by april to only be taking 5mg of prednisone, if at all. *If anyone has any advice on weight management, I would really appreciate it. | F | 23 | 4 months | 3/15/2007 | 4 | Sjogren's/Fibromyalgia | 1 mo. some nausea/bloating/gas, now just intermittent gas. | Take 200 mg. twice a day right after eating. This is giving me back energy and helping with joint pain. There is a light at the end of the tunnel! Doesn't work as well as Prednisone but definitely less side effects. I've had NO headaches, rashes, anxiety, depression. Still battle sleep problems due to fibro, unfortunately. | F | 55 | 2 months | 10/10/2008 | 4 | ra | It took 5 months. I got severe itching, burning and felt my nerves were on the outside of my body. I felt like I had pins sticking in me. My thigs broke out in a buring, red sensation that was intolerable Ater 4 days of prednisone and antihistamines I stll have it. I jalso had ightmares and dreams in the beginning. | It worked great at controlling my RA. | F | 53 | 5 months | 10/11/2008 | 4 | SLE | Hyperpigmentation | It took several months before the plaquenil worked for me, decreasing pain/swelling. Doesn't help the fatigue. I also take a small dose of prednisone daily. After 3 years I developed dark spots on my legs. The dermatologist says it's the plaquenil. I will not stop taking it though. | F | 44 | 4 years | 10/15/2008 | 4 | SLE / SCLE | Gas indigestion, memory loss-short term, mood swings, Some hair loss. Sometimes I get this feeling that something is caught in my throat but it was in the 1st 4 weeks and has become less frequent | I have been taking Plaquenil 200 mg a day for 3 months.Diagnosed March 06. Did not want to take this med. Told my Rheumotolgist no for months. Prior to taking this med I suffered from fevers, extreme fatigue, rashes, headaches ,and body aches and stiffness almost everyday. There has been a big improvement . I still have some bad days but they are becoming far and few between. Hope my eyes hold out. I do not want to go back to feeling the way I felt 4 months ago.I was barely able to get out of bed. I would recommend to at least give it a try it may work for you. | F | 49 | 90 days | 1/4/2007 | 4 | RA | Mostly good except I had a funny turn today while driving. My vision kind of went all wobbly - like I was on a boat in rough weather?? It lasted about 10 mins and afterwards I felt really tired/and scared!! Please email if you have experienced anything like this. I have only been on it for 21 days at 400mg per day | I'm not sure if this is a side effect or not. I feel great in every other way. The plaquenil has helped with joint pain so much and I haven't had any probs like other people. My doctors are no help and are only interested in prescribing loads of medication - some of which I am not taking eg: prednisolone. | F | 38 | 22 days | 7/4/2007 | 4 | SLE | None | Have had some deterioration of vision and only take 200 mg. per day. I have had SLE for 17 years, and have found joint pain is increasing. (frequency and level of pain). Plaquenil has definitely helped, and when required, I also take Tylenol to ease the pain. I also find that if I miss a dose, (a day), by the next day, I am really stiff, and have increased pain, headaches, and dizziness. | F | 42 | 1 years | 7/6/2006 | 4 | SLE | Gas,Tiredness,Dizziness,Wieght loss. | I have gotten alot of relief from joint pain by taking this medication. I can deal with the side affects if I can just get rest at night from the joint pain. Im a mother of 2 boys I need all the rest I can get, LOL. | F | 32 | 1 months | 10/9/2007 | 4 | inflammatory Arthritis etc. | I believe my stomach aid and some nausea were some side effects, and dizziness. I have only taken for a short tiem now, but my knee and joints are already feeling much better, so it has helped. | F | 62 | | 7/5/2005 | 4 | Palendromic Rhuematism | I do not notice any side effects specific to the plaquenil. I do have some hair loss but not enough to make me bald. I have a periodic rash on my upper legs that looks almost like shingles. I sweat profusely! I have a cast iron stomach so am lucky there. And I don't think I have any gas problems more than the usual person. | With my disease being so rare and with so little info out there about it, I'm not sure what is to be credited to medication and what is from the disease. It took almost 7 months for the full effects of the plaquenil to kick in. I take 200mg in AM and PM. It has made a significant difference in my life. I'm not cured, but I can tolerate the pain now. | F | 44 | 20 months | 8/4/2005 | 4 | Sjogrens Syndrome | none | Helps greatly with Sjogrens related fatigue. No effect on dryness. | F | 45 | 18 days | 3/25/2007 | 4 | MCTD | I haven't had any side effects so far. I don't know if it's making my hair thinner since my hair was already thin from thyroid disease. | I haven't been on it long enough to know if it's helping me or not. I'm really concerned about the side effects I might have from taking this medication. | F | 47 | 26 days | 10/30/2006 | 4 | Lyme disease | Major Gas, vivid dreams, extreme forgetfulness, itchy skin,lots of new freckles on back and arms, extremely bad taste in mouth all day and night. | I don't know if this drug has worked or not yet. The side effecta are manageable. I hope it works!!!!!! | F | 36 | 1 days | 2/5/2008 | 4 | SLE | bloated, nausea, gas, pigmentation changing (dark spots on face,neck, bend of arms/legs, inner thighs) | Medication started working after 3 months, my energy level increased and joint paint went away. One of the side effects of plaquenil is skin pigmatation which I developed. So, due to the dark spots especially on my face, my dosage was lowered from 400mg a day to 200mg for about a month, but the pain and the fatigue came back. Doc has increased the plaquenil to 400mg every other day to see if the fatigue will go away. Not sure what we are going to do about the skin pigmentation, but if it increases my energy level, i'll deal with it. | F | 40 | 6 months | 1/21/2008 | 4 | SLE, Fibromyalgia | Haven't noticed any until recently. Take 200mg x twice daily along with 5 mg prednisolone, 2 x 200mg Celebrex, 200 mg of Endep. | Had severe pain, low grade fevers, exhaustion and awoke one day, 4 months after being diagnosed, and felt I had no life force in my body. I have found many items on natural therapies that have complimented the drugs. I have blurry vision in my right eye the last week or so. I tried to stop the plaquenil at one stage and broke out in rashes all over my body. Re-commenced and that now seems to be under control. Intend to try to reduce the plaquenil to 200mg daily but am looking for a natural product to assist. Back at work and am at about 85% and need to carefully watch what I eat and get the right amount of rest. I was in intense pain for months before I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia Syndrome. Endep and Celebrex were prescribed and they have definitely helped as has a product called 5-htp which I purchase from an Internet company iherb.com. I also takeCo Q10 and Immune Renew from iherb for the lack of energy. | F | 49 | 2 years | 1/5/2008 | 4 | lupus (discoid/SLE) | Lots of gassiness, mild stomach upset. | My lesions were spreading rapidly and this drug has made most of them disappear. Had increased energy and less joint pain within the first week - ten days of starting it. I've had more vivid dreams (just starting after 2 months on the drug), but recently started Cymbalta for fibromyalgia, so I think the dreams are due to that drug. | F | 31 | 2.5 months | 12/5/2007 | 4 | Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome | Dry eyes, migraines if I miss one or two doses, some spots in my vision, ringing in ears with severe loss of hearing in left ear. | I take 200 mg once a day, usually at night with numerous other pills (Ibuprofen, aspirin, claritin, lipitor, prilosec) and do not have any gastro-intestinal problems. I am wondering if I should be worried about the ringing in my ears and hearing loss although that can also be caused by my syndrome. | F | 59 | 9 years | 7/30/2007 | 4 | RA | Very dry eyes, worse vision esp. for reading, stomach aches, mild acne, depression/ansiety. | I take 200 mg 2x a day. It works quite well, but I need about 2mg of prednisone a day pus extra ibuprofren when I experience minor flare-ups. These symptoms came on slowly, the anxiety just worsened. Could be that it is not the medecine. | F | 36 | 2 years | 6/21/2007 | 4 | SLE | none that i can think of | i started taking plaquinel about 9 years ago.. it really helped control my lupus..i never really noticed any side effects in fact sometimes i forgot i even had lupus.. however last year my doctor took me off of it because i wanted to get pregnant and within 3 months of being off of it i went into a horrible flare up that i am still fighting after a year. i am since back on the plaquinel (200mg twice a day) as well as steriods and imuran (which i never had to take before) after all this i found out it is safe to take plaquinel while pregnant. so now not only am i not pregnant i had to start imuran which you are not allowed to be pregnant on. overall i have had a good experience with this medication.. and once you are on it i don't recommend going off of it! | F | 29 | 9 years | 7/19/2007 | 4 | RA | Slight blurring of vision, hair thinning | Initially I was very afraid to try it. After 6 months, I was totally asymptomatic. I thought I was in a remission so I quit taking it. In about 4 months, I had a terrible "crash". Realized I felt so good because Plaquenil was working. Back on it and am feeling so much better. | F | 52 | 1 years | 9/19/2007 | 4 | Early stage SLE - Connective Tissue | For the first 1-2 wks, horrible gas/GI upset. Still some stomach issues occasionally. | Although doc said 3 months to see improvement, I felt better after only 4 days. Joint pain is 80% improved, fatigue and malaise are 75% improved, hair loss 90% better, and no more sores on scalp or in nose. | F | 30 | 30 days | 1/14/2009 | 4 | ra | gas, stomach pains, weight loss | I have been on plaquenil about 6 months. I have felt a lot better . I can actually move again, so far it has been life saver | F | 59 | 6 months | 3/15/2008 | 4 | Sjogren's Syndrome | Nausea (briefly); bloating and gas | I have recently been taken off Plaquenil due to extreme pain in the muscles in my legs. I am very worried that the joint pain, rashes and fatigue will once again overtake my life. Has anyone found anything over the counter that has helped with joint pain? | F | 44 | 9 years | 3/24/2008 | 4 | RA | small amount of nausea; some diarrhea; curbed appetite; gassy & gurgly GI (almost like Winnie the Pooh--a rumbly in my tumbly)sorry, the only way I could describe it | I do feel better, but the last couple of nights have been sleepless (can't get to sleep, even with Ambien CR until very late)I was originally diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and now a confirmed diagnosis of RA. I am hoping I can go off some, or most, of the the other 11 meds I take at bedtime. I am a pharmacist and need to be able to stand all day and not take meds that make me foggy. I haven't been on very long but have noticed some improvement. I am still a good barometer as to when the weather will change,(achy, exhausted, depressed) hopefully after some time on the Plaquenil that will change. My rheumatologist seems to think I will respond well. I want my life back!!!! I have 2 small children and a husband who want me back!!!! | F | 43 | 21 days | 3/26/2008 | 4 | osteo arthritus/fybromyalgia | excessive wind,severe depression | been taking this for aprox 2 months with no severe side effects ,until i had a period of severe depression which i could not shake off.it wasnt until reading this site that i thought it could be this drug.almost to the point of wanting to killl myself i stopped taking this 3 days ago and am a changed person ,what a sda shame as it made such a fantastic difference to my life joint wise,70% better most days nearly back to being 21 again ! but alas i coulnt risk being so depressed again , | F | 47 | 60 days | 11/11/2008 | 4 | Systemic lupus | none | After taking plaquenil about 4 months I felt much improved. I had more energy, reduced pain which lasted a few months. I now take other, stronger meds, but if I run out of plaquenil I quickly become fatigued. | F | 50 | 2 years | 5/23/2008 | 4 | possible ra | none, a little gas the first few days | still have lots of stiffness in my hand and middle finger, but I am not so tired and dragged out any more, sleep a little better at night. But I am still a little apprehensive if there will be side effect the longer I am on this. | F | 55 | 24 days | 6/7/2005 | 4 | overlap connective tissue diseases | night sweats, some hair loss, that has leveled off, very dry skin, blurred vision, get many headaches, but have had a hx of headaches and migraines. | First time I took it for six months (200 mg BID), and in addition to afformentioned side affects, iI was getting very large dark bruises that would not go away for months. Second time around, and I'm not bruising. Skin very itchy and looks much older since began taking. Has made pain much more tollerable. Can walk in the morning now. Have a good deal of fatigue, but have multi- connective tissue diseases and poly-arthritis. Take 6 other prescriptions as well, so cant say if Plaquenal is affecting mood and fatigue. | F | 46 | 1 years | 5/24/2005 | 4 | Rhumetoid Arthritis | Some stomache pain, only if I take on an empty stomache. | This has made a huge difference in my life. I finally able to function normally. | F | 23 | 2 months | 4/7/2005 | 4 | Sjogren's with Lupus | First couple of weeks, nothing - then extreme nausea and occasional vomiting for about 4 weeks. Following 6 weeks after that, mild nausea and some hair loss. After that, though, nothing eventful, although when we change my dosage I do tend to develop painful (and HUGE and extremely unattractive)acne cysts on my chin. | Before the Plaquenil, I would sit on the floor of the shower, crying, because I just didn't know how I was going to make it through another day at work. The exhaustion was completely oppressive. I have to admit, during the extreme nausea phase, I was ready to beg the doc to take me off the drug I was so miserable. But the difference it made in my life was remarkable. I have been able to go back to full-time acting, which I thought was not going to be an option for me again. My doctor has been trying to taper me off for the past year (my husband and I are thinking about kids). However, since the taper, I have noticed that I am having episodes more frequently, feeling nauseous more consistently, the exhaustion is beginning to return, and my chin looks like a minefield. So, we'll have to see what happens from here. | F | 34 | 5 years | 5/13/2005 | 4 | MCTD | loss of sleep, enhanced energy | Advice on weight gain for Prednisone takers - drink lots of water, rely on high-fiber foods (take Beano for gas/bloating - godsend), and hit the carrots/celery before you go for snacky foods. I am successful in controlling the weight and I take 30-40mg of prednisone per day. Get some excercise too. | F | 30 | 3 months | 6/8/2007 | 4 | mctd | sometimes I do get sleepy in the middle of the day. | if I miss a dose I can tell it the next day,thats how I know it works well | F | 29 | 9 days | 5/29/2007 | 4 | SLE,Osteoarthritis,Rhumetoid Arthri | Dilated Cardiomyopathy after 15+ years on Plaquenil. | Started taking Plaquenil to get weened off of Prednisone. Have only been able to get down to 10mgs of Prednisone. Joint pain increases any lower. On Prednisone 30 years. | F | 52 | 15 years | 1/31/2005 | 4 | RA type of sx-periarthritis | MAJOR GAS- helped to take acedophyllis pills from vitamin store. Weird dreams Itching | I feel better than ever most of the time. Still have periods of pain and fatigue but not lile before | F | 44 | 1.5 months | 2/22/2005 | 4 | RA type of sx-periarthritis | MAJOR GAS- helped to take acedophyllis pills from vitamin store. Weird dreams Itching | I feel better than ever most of the time. Still have periods of pain and fatigue but not lile before FIRST ONE HAD WRONG EMAIL | F | 44 | 1.5 months | 2/22/2005 | 4 | Systemic Lupus and Sjogren's | Many brown FRECKLES all through my mouth and lips (hate this side effect), darker fingers and thinning hair (hair loss could be due to the lupus or just aging), and GAS. I get my eyes tested every six months. No eye problems detected. | I had a life threatening flare of lupus and TTP (platelet and red cell disorder) four years ago. Went on Plaquenil for two years along with Prednisone. Went off both w/doc's okay when I appeared to be in remission. After one year off Plaquenil, I developed Sjogren's Syndrome, Raynaud's and more fatique and joint pain. I'm back on it at 200 mg/day. I credit Plaquenil with reducing my symptoms and allowing me to get through the summer without extreme light sensitivity, rashes and weakness. I don't have to take Prednisone now. | F | 45 | 3 years | 2/23/2005 | 4 | uctd / reflux / ibs / tmj / | migrains, bad stools, nausea, thinning hair, reflux | i was on it for about 2 weeks and then boom i had a really bad flare two days i was better then again in a week another flare and i am still dealing with it now, i think it was because of a mixture of drugs i was taking i am slowly getting back to normal but feel that plaquenil is working that i just have to get past the body ajusting but will let you know. but the first 2 weeks were good. also i could really use a email pal that is my age and dealing with the same things. | F | 29 | 3 weeks | 4/9/2003 | 4 | ra | none | taking 400mg per day,flare ups less frequent although i think is still to soon to know if its working | F | 46 | 3 weeks | 4/11/2003 | 4 | SLE | nausea, stomach cramping, slight headache | i 've been on plaquenil for only 3 weeks. when i started taking the drug i had already been in remission from all of my symptons since september 2002. so i can't say that it has helped because i haven't had any SLE flares before or after taking plaquenil. | F | 34 | 3 days | 4/26/2003 | 4 | RA & Antiphospholipid | none at first. Now at 3 years, damage to left eye. Stopped medication. | Plaquenil has given me about 75% improvement for pain and mobility. I hope they can give me something that works as well as the plaquenil has. | F | 43 | 3 years | 11/18/2002 | 4 | lupus | Very little nausea for the first week. Then, no side effects until 2 1/2 months when I became very nauseated and vomited a couple of times. The dose was lowered to 200mg as a maintenance dose and within 24 hours I was feeling well again. | Has helped to decrease pain and stiffness in the joints. My energy level has increased tremendously. I used to constantly sleep and lay on the couch. I can actually do things I haven't been able to do for a long time. | F | 42 | 3 months | 12/28/2001 | 4 | RA | None, untill my last eye test when the Doctor found pigmentation at the back of my eyes. | F | 62 | 9 years | 2/6/2002 | 4 | RA | None that I could link directly to this drug. | I currently discontinued use of plaquenil and noticed a large amount of fever and sweating. I guess I have been on it for so long I didnt realize it's benefits. | F | 22 | 10 years | 3/4/2002 | 4 | I have primary Sjogren's | When I first started I had nausea if I took the Plaq. on an empty stomach (now I take it with food) and some diarrhea, but that has passed. | This has been an incredible drug for me: before plaquenil I could barely walk 3 blocks without severe pain, had to rest every hour on the hour and did not have enough energy to do | F | 5 months | 12/29/2004 | 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 | 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 | 4 | UCTD, Early stage SLE | Initial cramping, diarrhea, headaches, brain fog. | Plaquenil benefits started within weeks of taking it. Pain level dropped but does increase during flares where Plaquenil doesn't help as much. Will keep on it as it's probably kept my early stage SLE from progressing, according to my Rheumy. | F | 51 | 3 years | 9/23/2008 | 4 | severe erosive OA of both hands | None that I am aware of. Have been on Medrol for over 1 year and now weaning off. Medrol caused insomnia. Hope when I get off the medrol I will get back to a normal sleep pattern. | Have been to the eye Dr. for exam and have no problems. | F | 63 | 3 months | 4/4/2009 | 4 | Mixed connective tissue disease | I have felt great since I've been taking Plaquenil. My body responded positivly. However, for the first time ever I have ACNE! Has anyone else had this problem? I can't think of any other reason I this would have happened. I am so upset about it, it's making me depressed. My doctors said that Plaquenil would not cause ACNE. I'm in desperate need of advice. | F | 23 | 2 weeks | 4/9/2009 | 4 | RA | Have been taking Plquenil for 5 years together with methotrexate. Over the past 6 months I have expereience severe skin itching on my upper arms front and under. Enough to keep me awake all night scratching. I have broken skin with scratching. It lasted for about 2 months, stopped, and started again about 6 weeks later. Will discuss with rheumatologist. | F | 59 | 5 years | 4/12/2009 | 4 | Reactive Arthritis | Mild diarrhea with some cramping. | I've been a massage therapist for 11 years and suddenly one day I developed horrible stiffness and joint pain. After seeing many dr.s my Rheumatologist diagnosed me with RA. First I tried Prednisone, but did not like the side effects. He switched me to Plaquenil. I have to say that I have been able to work, deep tissue therapy, since taking Plaquenil for the past 3 months. I do at times feel achy, but nothing compared to before. I never want to be without this med. again. | F | 42 | 3 months | 8/16/2008 |