Hello again. I am a little curious about these little red pimple things. They are showing up on my legs, back, chest and even a couple on the roof of my mouth. I have had mouth ulcers but these don't really hurt. I have been on Plaquinal for almost 2 weeks and now I am catching some kind of bug that is making me feel very sore and tired. I am also a bit stuffy and I have a cough. With regard to the red dots: Does this sound more like me getting used to Plaquinal? Or is this the start of a flare?
Thanks
Jamie

I had little red dots all over lower legs, looked like a little red dot in every pore. When diagnosed with Lupus and Sjogrens Syndrome I was put on Plaquenil, but it took about 4 months for me to feel the benefits from it. The little red dots did go away, the headaches were gone, the everyday aches and pains were not as bad, I had more energy and just felt better over all.
I have had a couple flares, but never felt as bad as before the Plaquenil. I am in a flare right now and had to go on Prednisone (only been 4 days), hope to feel better soon. Give the Plaquenil a chance, I've heard others on here say it takes at least 3 or 4 months to kick in. Hope you feel better soon, hang in there.

Hi, my name is michelle from NC. I have had lupus and rheumatoid arthritis for several years now. I'm currently taking 600mg a day of plaquenil, also methotrexate and enbrel. My doctor still can't understand why my flare ups aren't under control. So, try not to be dicouraged if this doesn't work for you. I hope it does and you have better luck than i have had.

Hi Michelle, i have Ra aswell and keep being tested for lupus. How do
they know if you have lupus or RA as are'nt they both very similar in symptoms?

Hi Watoozie and Greene, i have small red dots on the tops of my thighs (inside the thigh). Im on plaquinel aswell but the dots started before i started the plaquinel!! I will mention this to my consultant at next appointment.

Best wishes
wenXXX.

hey wen 10,
with me, my dr. done blood work tolook for the ra factor in my blood. it took forever for it to show up in my blood even though i had all the symptoms and already had joint damage. with the lupus, i've had 2 biopses of my little red dots that both tests came back positive for systemic lupus. my arthritis started raring its ugly head when i was 19 years ago, when i was 22. it was several years later that the lupus showed up, although it took several more years to be diagnosed.
how long have you had lupus and r.a.? any other ailments ? how old were you when you started having symptoms? i was getting ready to turn 19 when i was sent to my 1st rheumatoligist, cant remember about the lupus, but i'm seeing a dermatologist for that. of course both my dr.'s consult on my treatment.
i've had cataract surgery on both my eyes, due to my medication. the dr. says that i am extremely allergic to the sun. i dont know if my irritable syndrome is a result of all this other mess or not.
hope to talk again.

mapebbs

I don't know if IBS goes along with these diseases or not, but I have suffered with it for years and have seen others write about having it also. I got a letter from my insurance carrier today, they are not going to pay for my prednisone any longer. Crazy, I just got my first perscription filled 1/31/08 paid $3.76 for 100 pills. My co-pay is $5.00, so doesn't sound like they had to pay anything for it. These ins. co. are terrible!!!!!

Be careful taking the prednisone. i was on them for several years and became addicted to them. They are what caused me to have cataracts. They are some good little pills to control the RA but they are not good for you.

Thanks, I will remember that. I don't think my rheumatologist will leave me on them for very long. I've been on them a week now, and I see him next Friday. I do feel some better already. I am just in a flare, hope it doesn't last too much longer!!

Hi mapebbs,
i was dx with RA nearly a year ago but have'nt been dx with lupus as yet!!! I am 33years old and did'dnt have any RA symproms till a year before being dx! I've been on steroids for 9 months now from 25mg down to 10mg, i've been tole that if i can get down to 7.5mg it would be safe to stay on them for many years, how true this is i dont know!!! I have had IBS for several years but it seems to be worse since taking all the medications!

Watoozie,
am glad you are feeling a bit better, good luck with appointment this week.

Best wishes
wenXXX.