Re: Plaquenil

[Guest guest]

Mostly because it's not working, I don't feel better and she's not

convinced what I have is RA. She thinks there's def. something going

on, but it might not be RA...or it might. I've heard this before.

On clinic exam I show no signs. I don't have swollen joints, just

very painful ones. I also have many signs of Lupus, and a positive

ANA, sed rate, and a negative RA factor. So, while I may have it, I

also may have Lupus, or something else. So she thinks Plaquenil is a

btter drug for people who aren't 100% defined as RA. I just don't

know what to think anymore. I will believe I have RA until someone

tells me otherwise, but I won't be surprised when they say I actually

have Lupus, kwim? On my recent hand x-rays it showed some joint

narrowing and mild bone loss, so I still think it's RA, or at least

partially RA. She was very suprised at my poor flexibility, since I

was a gymnast my whole life. (Until 7 years ago) Oh well... One

day I'll figure it out. I didn't start it yet--I will tomorrow. I

just wanted to make sure I didn't have major stomach issues at work.

> So why are you changing, ? Is the MTX not working or are the

> side-effects bothering you? Were you taking 7.5 mg total once a

week?

>

> Sorry you're frustrated.

>

>

>

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>

> [ ] Plaquenil

>

>

> > Well, my new rheumy has decided I should be on plaquenil instead

of

> > methotrexate. I have been on mtx for 11 weeks now, and am already

> > experiencing the joys of having a chronic illness with frequent

> > medication changes. Yay. She told me to continue to take the mtx

> > for about a month, and slowly taper off of it--instead of three

pills

> > take two a week for a couple of weeks, and then one pill a week

for a

> > couple of weeks. However, she warned me that my stomach may not

be

> > too happy about any of this, so if the diarrhea gets really bad

just

> > to stop the mtx altogether. Anyone here make the change? Have

any

> > tomach probs? Anyone here LOVE their plaquenil and want to tell

me

> > how much better I'll feel??? Please?? Sigh... Just frustrated,

as

> > usual.

> >

> >