I saw the rhuemetologist today for the first time. she says i am definately sick, and that it could be lupus or a close relative of lupus. she also says i have mechanical problems. she ran blood work- lots of it, and had X-rans done on my knees, neck and lower back/hips. I had to drive 5 hours one way to get a doctor who doesnt say live with it or that it is all in my head. she says i definately DO NOT have fibromyalga, she feels it is definately an autoimmune problem. to top all this off she is an instructor at the state school of medicine in the rhuemetology specialty classes. but i do have a question, what is planquil and what does it do/how does it work out. she said if my blood work comes back as she expects it to i will be on planquil in 3 wks. my blood work will take 3 wks to come back. man that's a long wait. but hey i've been waiting 6 years or more, what's 3 wks? hope all of you are doing well.

Sailormoon:

I am glad you found a rheumatologist that you trust. As for the Placquenil (I don't think that is how it is spelled), I don't know anything about it. I have heard of it, but don't know what it does. I would either look it up on the Internet or ask my pharmacist.

I hate these blood tests, too, but have to take them every 2 months. They take 5 vials at a time. I am wondering if I will finally be drained dry!

Good luck in your search for relief from your ailment.

Sailormoon,
I can't remember all the scientific or specific info on Plaquenil, but it's a drug prescribed for many autoimmune diseases to help slow down the progression of the disease. There can be some side effects that need to be monitored, but in my opinion, the disease has a better chance of hurting me more than the medicine. Unfortunately, it can take a while before you know whether it's working for you or not. The research I read said up to 12 wks., but the last dr. I saw said up to 6 months! There's a lot of info out there about it and it would be best if you read it all for yourself. I'm really glad you found someone that seems to know what they're talking about. Keep us up to date on the test results. Take care, Ann

I just looked up the info on Plaquenil and boy am i in shock. i am not sure i want treatment, i mean is the disease really worse than the meds? this is where i got the info http://www.healthsqr.com/newrx/PLA1337.HTM
they have info on a lot of drugs. man oh man i wish i didnt know all this i mean not knowing is better than questioning if treatment is a good idea. if i had know this was what she was talking about i would have asked for alternatives. is there anyone out there who knows more about what you can realistically expect as side effects? thanks.