Has anyone been on Plaquenil for longer than 3 months? Has it "kicked in"?? Im wanting to know how it is working for you and how you feel taking it now that its "working". Also, are you taking it alone now or do you still take some other medication with it?

I just got prescribed Plaquenil and would like to know what to expect and how I'll expect to feel once its started working.

Thanks in advance!!

Meg

Meg, I've posted this in several places through the years. I took Plaquenil for about 5 years. At first I took it with Prednisone and Voltaren. Took me about 8 months and then everything clicked and I never looked back and was pain free. I was backed off the other drugs and as of 5 years ago, I was taken off Plaquenil (backing off that gradually, too). I can't say that at times I don't get stiff, especially if I sit too long. I wake up a little tight, but the minute I've walked across the room, I'm already loosening up. I just feel the best when I'm moving. I hope you have luck because this drug has so few side effects compared to others. I did have to have my eyes checked every six months for possible retina damage.

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. I also was given presnisone for flare ups. 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

Well, I must be the lone one that cant take Plaquenil. I developed an allergic reaction to it and stopped taking it exactly 2 weeks after I started. It made me break out in what they call a psoratic rash all over my neck and chest. My Rheumatologist doubled my Prednisone in the meantime to knock out the rash and is starting me on Methotrexate as soon as the rash clears.

Ive never been allergic to any kind of medicine before other than Doxycycline, so its weird. He mentioned going on the Sulfa drug, but since my mom has an allergy to it we figured the MTX would be better for me. I hope it works!

Meg

Meg, sorry about the allergic reaction to plaquenil. Must have been upsetting and then getting a rash to treat on top of the RA, that stinks. Good luck with your new drugs.