Plaquenil

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islands@volcanomail.com - 19 Jun 2005 05:45 GMT

Hi,
anyone have any experience to share re: plaquenil? I'm having a ringing
in my ears, should i call the doc? how long till it takes effect (if it
does)? i'm taking it for uctd (inflammation/joint pain)
thanks!

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KCat - 19 Jun 2005 19:09 GMT

I've been on it almost 5 years - or maybe it is five? I've lost track. The
only side effect I have is if I take it on an empty stomach. Then I can get
pretty nauseated for a while (about 15-20 mins). Obviously, I try to avoid
doing that.

Are you taking aspirin right now? That is highly likely to cause tinnitus.
PDR does list tinnitus as a possible side effect of plaquenil though.

i started noticing a marked decrease in muscle pain after 3 weeks. But at 3
or 4 months the difference was remarkable for me and after 2 years I started
actually having days that I forgot I was sick. So for some, it's wonderful.
Unfortunately, doens't work for everyone. From what I've read, some of
these side effects probably decrease with time but I would call the doc and
let them know. They may want to adjust your dose or wait a week or so to see
if the effect decreases. Definitely do call though.

good luck. treating this disease and it's many manifestations is a pain the
uh... neck. yeah, that's the word. :)

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> Hi,
> anyone have any experience to share re: plaquenil? I'm having a ringing
> in my ears, should i call the doc? how long till it takes effect (if it
> does)? i'm taking it for uctd (inflammation/joint pain)
> thanks!

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islands@volcanomail.com - 20 Jun 2005 01:00 GMT

Thanks KCat, do you also have your retinas checked periodically? I was
told that I have to do that, that is a big concern to me.

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KCat - 20 Jun 2005 02:07 GMT

> Thanks KCat, do you also have your retinas checked periodically? I was
> told that I have to do that, that is a big concern to me.

Yup. I have a general eye exam every 6 months and once a year she puts me
through the visual field test and takes photos of the retina to compare to a
baseline. You should get a baseline now if you plan to stay on the med.
Otherwise changes might be harder to notice and react to early. The photo
process has gotten quite simple actually. Bright light but that's about it.

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Debi - 20 Jun 2005 10:13 GMT

Hi, i've been taking plaquenil for 2 1/2 years now, i too have 6 monthly eye
exams, vision is deteriorating especially visual field but you need to way
up the pro's and con's. If i reduce plaquenil my joints and rashes flare big
style; i've always needed glasses so not 100% that my deterioration is
related to meds, or it's just me.
Hope this helps,
DEB(UK).

> Thanks KCat, do you also have your retinas checked periodically? I was
> told that I have to do that, that is a big concern to me.
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> > does)? i'm taking it for uctd (inflammation/joint pain)
> > thanks!

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V - 21 Jun 2005 07:10 GMT

I do not know if it is the plaquenil that causes the ringing. I can not say,
since I have been on so many meds for lupus. My young son has uctd
previously diagnosed as dermatomytocytis. I have been on plaquenil for about
six years. I did add methotrexate to my regimine when my body started
crapping out on me. Had success, even tho I was nauseated. It is a catch22
...
btw, be sure to get those eye exams!
Good luck,
V

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