I've been on Plaquenil for almost a year now. I've found that I'm increasingly cranky, *****y, impatient since I've been on it. I have literally screamed at my mother to get out of my house over and over until she would leave. My doctor says it's a side-effect of the drug.

Anyone else had this experience? Suggestions to deal with it?

I can't go to everyone and say, I'm on this medication and it makes me a total ***** from time to time, so if my head starts spinning, just disregard anything I say or do...

Hi scbagrrl -

You just responded to one of my posts on another topic!

Anyway, I have been on Plaquenil for 2 months. I can't say I have seen that side effect with me - maybe I should ask my husband! Frankly, I didn't even know that was one - if PMS wasn't enough! Anyway, I've been cranky on and off since being diagnosed with RA so it's hard to say if it's related to the Plaquenil or my own internal emotions. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/bigcry.gif

As far as dealing with it, do you notice that it's certain things that set you off specifically? Or everything in general?

Incidentally, the medication I referred to starting in my "birth control" topic is sulfasalazine, for my RA. I read on the leaflet that it causes interactions with the pill and I was hoping I would be able to try Depo Provera or something!

PS - I seem to keep ending up in the same topic areas as you! Too funny. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif

[This message has been edited by Hellokitty1973 (edited 09-05-2002).]

Hi! I was only on Plaquenil for 2 weeks before I developed an allergic reaction to it, but I remember my RD saying that it can cause moodiness. Im prone to moodiness and PMS. But when I was on it, I was moody and overly emotional. But that might have just been me adjusting to the fact that I have RA. I dont know. But like I said, my RD did mention it to me as a side effect. Perhaps they can add an antidepressant to your regime to help balance you out.

Best of luck!!

~Meg

LOL Kitty - my mother particularly sets me off. Then again, she set me off beforehand, but now my responses are 10X stronger. Other people irk me as well, my patience has worn thread-bare.

I haven't noticed any improvement since I've been on the med in the past year, in fact, my symptoms have worsened considerably in that time. I'm going to try giving it a break and see what happens.

I'm already on Wellbutrin b/c my BC gives me 1-2 days of really bad depression then I'm just fine. Hasn't made any dent in the crankiness.

Kitty, Depo has a lot of side-effects which aren't that fun. Ask your doc about Lunelle, I have no cramps, no spotting mid-month, other than the day or two of depression, it's fabulous. My sed rates dropped considerably when I started the med - the other bcps were raising them...

Thanks for sharing your experiences!

Hi scbagrrl,
This is my first time on this sight and I was very relieved to see that I'm not the only one with questions. I have RA, Fibromyalgia and reynouds phenom. I was on Plaquinil for about 6 months until I could no longer take the tiredness and irritablility, to say the least. I always had pms but with the Plaquinil I couldn't even stand myself. I have been off it for almost 6 weeks and there is a huge difference. I am still on Methatrexate, 9.5mg a week, and Relefan, 3000mg daily and feel much better than I did 2 years ago when I was diagnosed. I have taken probably 8 different meds before I found something that worked. If you feel that the Plaquinil is causing your bad mood, have your dr. change it. There is no need to trade pain for mental discomfort. I hope you feel better soon

[This message has been edited by debmomof2 (edited 09-26-2002).]