I just started on Plaquenil about 2 weeks ago. The doctor said it would take 8-12 weeks to kick in.

Has anyone been on this and had good results? I'm only on this and Celebrex right now... I am hoping the Plaquenil will kick in where Celebrex is not.

Thanks!!!

I was on Plaquenil for about 4 years. I had great results, but it took almost 8 months before it kicked in. I was on Voltaren and Prednisone until then. Once the Plaquenil took effect, I was taken off all other medications and now for the past 5 years have been totally medication free. My rheumatologist felt that Plaquenil had the least side effects, but I did have to get the retinas on my eyes checked every 6 months. Good luck.

8 months???? I am on 5 mg prednisone down from 10, have mental probs on prednisone so keep it low. Started Arava which worked wonders then failed, now on Arava, prednisone and started Vioxx. I am to choose another for the RA choices being - Plaquinal, or Remicide. I was leaning towards Plauquinal. I am on Fosamax also with good results so far. I am continuously flareing...

Since I've been off medication now for over 5 years, none of these newer drugs were introduced to me. After the initial 8 months for the plaquenil, I was totally pain free while on the drug. Not every drug is for every person and my rheumy said that it was a trial and error procedure to see what works. I think if I started to show symptoms again, I would ask for the plaquenil...of course he might have newer ideas by now, but knowing how well this worked for me, I would rather give it another chance if I needed something.

Just curious.... you mentioned that you would go back on the Plaquenil if you needed it again. If it takes several weeks (8-12) before kicking in, wouldnt it beneficial to stay on it long term to reduce the chance of flare ups? Im new on Plaquenil, thats why I ask.

Meg

Meg, I'm actually going into my 6th year now with no medication. I don't think there would be any benefit to continuing and even with minimal side-effects, why put something in you that your body just doesn't need? I think that I would be more aware of my body signals, should I ever get to the point of needing medication again. I ignored my symptoms and my pain, and then by the time I found out I had RA, I had to go on an aggressive program and luckily for me it was the right one. Still don't know if Plaquenil would be what my rheumy would want after all the new stuff on the market. I just know that it worked so well for me, that it would be worth a shot again if I ever needed it. Granted the time it would take to really get in my system might be slow, but I'm hoping that I never have to cross that bridge again.

Matts -

You mentioned that you have been medication free for some time now. Do you still get routine xrays, blood tests, etc. to see if your RA is starting up again? Even though you are med free (which is incredible), do you still have to worry about joint damage? It sounds like you have gone into serious remission!! Good for you! I can only hope that Plaquenil (and soon to be Sulfasalzine) have such amazing effects on me. Did you change anything else, like diet?

Seen my doc again today. He said in 3 weeks if i feel no better or worse he will diagnose me with RA and start plaquenil.. so looks like i get to play the meds game like all of you. i hope something works this really sux as at least most of you have partners to help you and youre all worried about having kids, and all i can worry about is if i can keep workin and payin my bills and supportin myself. i really dont know what im gonna do .

Moonchild -

Definitely try to keep your spirits up! I know it seems hard to do. I just keep telling myself that relief is coming. With the right treatment, we WILL ALL be feeling better soon. And it really sounds like this was caught very early (if it is RA) and that's a great thing! If you think about all the treatments that have come out in the last 5 years, think about all the things to come next. They are developing better and better meds all the time with less and less side effects. Those are some of the things that keep me going. Knowing that I am being treated aggressively will help ensure my quality of life. Just think, 10 years ago they didn't treat this like they do today...so in a sense, someone today who has had it for 10 years may be very different than how we will be in 10 years! It's a cliche, but your mind is a very powerful tool. It has been proven that those with positive attitudes fair better with illnesses than those with not. And honestly, getting past the initial shock and realizing there is so much ahead of us has MADE ME FEEL BETTER - really! So, anytime you are feeling bad, post here as there are lots of people that know exactly how you feel. RELIEF IS COMING - YOU WILL FEEL BETTER!

I do have bloodtests, no x-rays (other than when I fell down our basement steps last year and broke my ankle) and I had a dexascan last June which showed perfectly normal bone density. I was worried after being on prednisone a few years and going through menopause. I did not do any diet changes, but I exercise like crazy. I have hardly missed a day on my treadmill (second one), other than when I had a cast on my leg. I am extremely active and feel better when I'm moving. I guess "serious remission" would be a good term for my RA right now. Best of luck to you and I hope it all works fast. I agree that with the advancements made in medicine these days, you can see the tide turning with people being diagnosed sooner and getting the proper treatment. I noticed, Kitty, that you are from NJ, but where? Wondered if we lived near each other. Matts

Hi Matts -

I live right around the New Brunswick area in NJ. I guess it's considered North Central NJ. I think Columbus is about 35 minutes south of where I live. Small world!!! I actually used to live in PA (in a suburb of Phila.). I moved to NJ when I got married last October.

I hope I can get to the same remission state as you. But, I am having more and more confidence in Medicine that I can - and I am especially interested that they thought your RA was initially aggressive and you still were able to get to a remission state. That is wonderful!!! I am actually going to see a doctor in NYC in September for a 2nd opinion - just curious what he would recommend for treatment. He's at the Hospital for Special Surgey which is supposed to have incredible rheumatologists!

[This message has been edited by Hellokitty1973 (edited 08-15-2002).]

Cool im actually in a philly suburb as well. and thanks kitty for the kind words b4. i hope we all get better soon. :-) and wouldnt be great if plaquenil actually helped us so we dont have to get the MTX and lose all our hair j/k LOL

Moonchild -

This is really a small world! I used to live about 15-20 minutes from Norristown (in Fort Washington). How funny! Most of my family and friends still live down that way.

For those who have totally quit the Plaquenil - Did you stop having flares ups all together before stoppping????? Had you stopped all soreness and pain???

I also have been on Plaquenil for three and a half years and am in remission. It took 5 weeks on it for for me to have my first good day. Until I felt better with it I also took the top dose of Indocid along with a suppository anti inflam. at bed time. As time passed I had more and more good days. I think I am now in remission and have decreased my Plaquenil from 2 a day to 1. I live very far from my Rheum. Doc and am afraid to stop the Plaquenil all together. My family doctor would go along with anything I suggested so he's no help. I do get flare ups but not crippling ones like before Plaquenil. I take Celebrex usually twice a day unless I'm doing really well then I take one per day.
I heard that if it clears and then comes back it is doubly hard to get control of again.
Thanks Karon