Hi Zinn ~

Yes, it does start with a Z ... Zuska is Slovak for Susan!

I did at one time believe that the Plaquenil was the culprit regarding
the muscle weakness, but everything I have read indicates that if this
was the case, it would clear my system within two months. It will be
two months in about a week, and the weakness continues to get worse.

Even if it was a result of the Plaquenil and was not going to get
better, I don't think it would continue to get worse, having stopped
the Plaquenil. Also, the muscle biopsy did not show any indication that
the Plaquenil was the culprit.

Testing for Myasthenia Gravis is going to be started, but they were
unable to schedule the third EMG until October 2. After that, there are
two medications that are considered 'diagnostic.' In other words, if
they think you have MG, they give you this medicine, and if you get
better, then they know that MG is what you have. One medication is
given by IV, the other is in pill form. I don't know which the doctor
will order, but I am ready to do just about anything to get to the
bottom of this!

What I can tell you about Plaquenil is that before I was taking it, I
had a lot of joint pain and a great deal of fatigue. As soon as I
started the Plaquenil, I was virtually pain free, and the fatigue was
greatly improved. Unfortunately, at about the same time this whatever
it is started, so I don't think I recieved all the benefit possible
from the Plaquenil. If I had my choice, now that we know it was not the
Plaquenil, I would start taking it again, but my Rheumatologist does
not want to do that until they have a diagnosis for the muscle weakness
thing ~ and I know that she is correct to wait, since whatever
treatment I end up with for the muscle condition might react with the
Plaquenil.

Zinn, I hope this puts your mind at ease. I was told that only about
one percent of people who take Plaquenil long term have a bad reaction
~ and that is long term. So, I would recommend that you get a copy of
the Patient Information that comes with the medication and read it
carefully. That way, you will know what to look out for in the way of
side effects. I will never start any medication again without doing
that!

Take care ~

Susan aka Zuska (Snowey95@aol.com)