Mere,
Welcome to the group!  Yes, you are correct it can take up to 6 months
before Plaquenil really helps,  or it is gradual and may make you wonder if
it is helping at all, but if you stop taking it after it is out of your
system you realize how much it really was helping.

Funny, isn't it, that having a diagnosis makes it a bit easier to deal with.
But you can have many things going on and not always because of the Lupus.

Others will chime in soon.  Has been pretty quiet here for a few days.

Once again, Welcome to the group.

Sherry

Hi Mere,
Welcome! Hopefully you can find some help here to make your experience
more understandable.
The complexity of our dreaded disease makes it difficult even for the
pros to diagnose.  Apparently you are on the right track now so some
treatment will be forthcoming.
I guess we all take plaquenil.  In my case I monitor the dosage by the
degree of discoloration to the skin of my right hand. (Weird) When it
turns dark purple, almost black, I cut back.
The tiredness sounds all too familiar. Don't hesitate to monitor your
diet.  I have found some foods trigger this malaise.
"Your mileage may vary" is so appropriate to all of these symptoms and
therapies which is why we are blessed to have this forum with which to
share.
Good luck and post often.
George