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 (I'm pretty sure).
I have decreased my Plaquenil from 2 a day to 1 on my own. 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 minor flare ups but not crippling ones like before Plaquenil. My hands and feet are a bit sensitive to bumps but nothing worth complaining about. I take Celebrex usually twice a day unless I'm doing really well then I take one per day. I no longer require prednisone.
I heard that if it goes into remission and then comes back it is much harder to get control of again. Your comments please.
Thanks Karon

Karon, if you are thinking of going off the plaquenil, I wouldnt if I were you. It seems like you are still having flare-ups and need the plaquenil to keep things in check. Talk to your doctor if you are considering going off of it. You mentioned your feet being tender and such, would you want to hurt more just to be med-free?

That's why I'm asking what makes people go off the drug. Do they get totally free of pain and soreness??? Tx Karon

Karon, for me it was my doctor's suggestion. I had been pain free for a few years, too, but without any flareups and I wasn't taking any other medications. Since you are also taking Celebrex and having some soreness here and there, I wouldn't stop your plaquenil without your Rheumy's approval. Can't you give him/her a call since they aren't that close?

To Mattsmummum:
How many years were you on the drug and are you saying that you have no after effects from the disease at all... It totally disappeared???? Not even minimum soreness. I guess there's no limit as to how long you can be on Plaquenil?? I appreciate all comments. I wish I would have known about this sight years ago ..would I have had questions!!!. Tx a lot.

My RA has been in total remission now for about 7 years. Once the plaquenil really got in my system, I never experienced severe pain or discomfort again. I was kept on just the plaquenil after a couple of years and was taken off that almost 6 years ago. I can't say I never feel discomfort. I have at times felt tight when I wake up, but the minute I start moving, I'm fine. I don't enjoy sitting in movies or long car rides and I tend to wiggle all over. I just feel better when I move. My rheumy used to say it was the "gel effect." You could sit and read the newspaper for 20 minutes and go to stand up and be stiff. I will get like this, so I try not to stay still too long. It's not painful, it's just a tightness, but goes away once you move and the circulation starts again. Never give up hope, but remember that we are all different and treatments and remissions are varied.

Karon, I have to ask. I have a sister named Karon and
it is so uncommon that I have to ask. I have arthritis too so that is why I was looking in.

Mattsmum, I hope I have your name correct. You have told me something I wanted to hear for a long time. I have chronic pain from two separate accidents. I have spasm and stiffness in the morning and when I sit still where it hurts so bad I would rather be dead. I would like to hear more about it. With me I hurt so bad b ut I am not on anything but pain med. I spasm so much in my shest (from my thorax) that I feel as if I am having a heart attack. The cardioligist said I will never know if I am having one or not- the pain follows the same nerve line. Can you or anyone reading this help. Last time I was tested for RA it didn't show but the rhume. said I had OA. I have plans to go soon anyway cause I can't find any support. It is just too hard.

Hi ScottieK
Where is it your planning on going to?? Do you not find support from this group. Karon