RE: Plaqueinl

[Guest guest]

Hi Peggy,

How were diagnosed with Hashimoto's?

Do you have any test results to share? Free T3 and Free T4, antibody tests?

Has your doctor ever mentioned lupus or tested you for other auto-immune issues?

I haven't heard anyone here mention Plaquenil before, but I have heard of that used commonly for lupus patients.

Youhave to get your eyes checked frequently on that medication.

Did he tell you anything more?

How about typing Hashimoto's and Plaquenil into a google search and see if anything comes up.

I would ask your doc a few more questions about your treatment.

What kind of doctor / specialist is he?

Tell us some more of your story.

Hopefully someone has heard of using Plaquenil before....

Kate

Plaqueinl

Hi, My name is Peggy and I am new to the group. I have recently started Synthroid for Hashamotos. I have had hives since September. The Synthroid seems like it is helping but I havent been on it for long. My doctor wants to start me on Plaqueinl now to stop the progression of the disease. Has any one else been on this medication?? How does it affect you. ThanksPeggy

[Guest guest]

Hi Peggy,

I would agree with Kate in the request for more info on how the

diagnosis was reached.

How long have you been on Synthroid? At what dosage? And I'm not

being noisy, just wondering if the dosage is correct for your test

results and body size (something I'm looking into myself) if you

don't feel letting us know this last I understand.

I also agree that a search for what Plaquenil is commonly used for

is highly recommended. I would go to www.webmd.com to begin with and

read everything, all of the various possible subject lines. Then do

a google search or a yahoo search and READ...sigh, Hashi's is not

the easiest thing to live with but it is do able. Nor is a Hive

situation for that matter.

If it was me I'd do as much research on this drug and then meet with

the Doctor and ask him for his reasons for wanting to use this drug.

What are his reasonings for its use in your situation.

I would also look into other possible causes of the hives i.e.:

a new animal in the family.

a new laundry detergent or fabric softener

a new antiperspirant

a new cologne or aftershave or perfume on anyone in the family

any new food items or additives introduced

any new furniture

any new carpet

any new sheets, blankets, comforters, down comforters

new pet shampoo being used on family pet

new pet food

new boyfriend or girlfriend (this could include those associated via

your brothers/sisters/mother/father. etc..

new work enviroment

new job

new car or new used car (I'm allergic to Armor All and break out

from this commonly used product)

change in diet???????

In otherwords, absolutely ANYTHING new at about the same time that

the Hives showed up??? (usually hives start to show up anywheres

from instant contact to several weeks exposure)

Hope this helps, if only just a little bit.

Gossimer

Oh, almost forgot: WELCOME to the group!!!

> Hi, My name is Peggy and I am new to the group. I have recently

> started Synthroid for Hashamotos. I have had hives since

September.

> The Synthroid seems like it is helping but I havent been on it for

> long. My doctor wants to start me on Plaqueinl now to stop the

> progression of the disease. Has any one else been on this

> medication?? How does it affect you.

>

> Thanks

> Peggy

[Guest guest]

Does this med have to do with your cholesterol levels? If it does, the

reason why your cholesterols are up is because you are hypothyroid. If your

diet is right, this problem should resolve, unless you have some sort of

genetic issue. This is notoriously a hypo problem. Why does your doctor

not know this? My opinion is that, if we can stay off of cholesterol

changing meds, and do it with the thyroid hormone and diet changes, it is

safer, as long as the cholesterol isn't ridiculously high and needs to come

down immediately. What are your lab results, with normal lab reference

ranges? How high are your thyroid antibodies? Do you take vitamin

supplements, namely vitamin a, c, e, selenium, and particularly the b

vitamins. B5, B6, folic acid, and B12 are some of the most important b's

for the thyroid, along with biotin.

Tx

Plaqueinl

> Hi, My name is Peggy and I am new to the group. I have recently

> started Synthroid for Hashamotos. I have had hives since September.

> The Synthroid seems like it is helping but I havent been on it for

> long. My doctor wants to start me on Plaqueinl now to stop the

> progression of the disease. Has any one else been on this

> medication?? How does it affect you.

>

> Thanks

> Peggy

[Guest guest]

Hi , Actually this is an antimalaria medication. I strangely have very few symptoms of

hypothyroid. The only ones I can

think of is I don’t sweat a lot and have some trouble sleeping. I think the trouble sleeping has to do

with the AF. I am so afraid I will

get it, because I always get it either at night when I go to sleep or I wake up

with it. My cholesterol last time I

had it checked was 160. I think

this is more of an autoimmune thyroid disease. Where my antibodies are on high alert

and are destroying my thyroid. At

least that is how Hashimotos is described.

The Plaquenil, I think slows down the immune system. I always thought it was good to have a

good immune system. I am never sick

except for the AF and hives. My last TSH though was 9.8

and my thyroid antibodies which are suppose to be under 5 are 398. I don’t really get the whole

thing myself, but I am trying to figure it out. I am just afraid to start any new

medication. One of the adverse side

effects of Plaquenil is irregular heart beat.

Thanks

Peggy

Does this med have to do with your cholesterol

levels? If it does, the

reason why your cholesterols are up is because you

are hypothyroid. If your

diet is right, this problem should resolve, unless

you have some sort of

genetic issue. This is notoriously a hypo

problem. Why does your doctor

not know this? My opinion is that, if we can

stay off of cholesterol

changing meds, and do it with the thyroid hormone

and diet changes, it is

safer, as long as the cholesterol isn't

ridiculously high and needs to come

down immediately. What are your lab results,

with normal lab reference

ranges? How high are your thyroid

antibodies? Do you take vitamin

supplements, namely vitamin a, c, e, selenium, and

particularly the b

vitamins. B5, B6, folic acid, and B12 are

some of the most important b's

for the thyroid, along with biotin.

Tx

Plaqueinl

> Hi, My name is Peggy and I am new to

the group. I have recently

> started Synthroid for Hashamotos. I

have had hives since September.

> The Synthroid seems like it is helping but I

havent been on it for

> long. My doctor wants to start me on

Plaqueinl now to stop the

> progression of the disease. Has any one

else been on this

> medication?? How does it affect you.

>

> Thanks

> Peggy

[Guest guest]

Peggy, did your doctor say that he thought that you have lupus? I am not aware of an antimalarial being used to treat the antibodies of Hashimoto's. However, I do know that antimalarials are used to treat SLE (Systemic Lupus). Has your doctor made statements to you concerning his/her belief that the "hives" that you have may be the rash of lupus? I will do some digging around again, but in all my readings about Hashimoto's (which I also have), I have never seen where a doctor treated with this protocol. I have read over and over though, that antimalarials are used for lupus sometimes, as a last resort. Who is your doctor? How much discussion have you had with your doctor about what he believes are your different diagnoses? Sorry about the misinfo about it being a cholesterol med. The name seemed to imply that. I am not familiar with the names of antimalarials, only that they exist.

Tx

RE: Plaqueinl

Hi , Actually this is an antimalaria medication. I strangely have very few symptoms of hypothyroid. The only ones I can think of is I don’t sweat a lot and have some trouble sleeping. I think the trouble sleeping has to do with the AF. I am so afraid I will get it, because I always get it either at night when I go to sleep or I wake up with it. My cholesterol last time I had it checked was 160. I think this is more of an autoimmune thyroid disease. Where my antibodies are on high alert and are destroying my thyroid. At least that is how Hashimotos is described. The Plaquenil, I think slows down the immune system. I always thought it was good to have a good immune system. I am never sick except for the AF and hives. My last TSH though was 9.8 and my thyroid antibodies which are suppose to be under 5 are 398. I don’t really get the whole thing myself, but I am trying to figure it out. I am just afraid to start any new medication. One of the adverse side effects of Plaquenil is irregular heart beat.

Thanks

Peggy

[Guest guest]

what kind of DR is putting you on antimalaria meds for Hashi?

Plaqueinl> Hi, My name is Peggy and I am new to the group. I have recently> started Synthroid for Hashamotos. I have had hives since September.> The Synthroid seems like it is helping but I havent been on it for> long. My doctor wants to start me on Plaqueinl now to stop the> progression of the disease. Has any one else been on this> medication?? How does it affect you.>> Thanks> Peggy

[Guest guest]

Hi , I had several blood tests an all were neg

for Lupus, but positive for Hashimotos. I have had a very bad rash for 9 months

now on my arms and legs and my skin looks a little purple. I also have a rash on my face. It seems a little better now that I

started on thyroid meds. The Doctor

said that Hashimotos is Lupus like and that the Plaquenil sometimes helps in

stopping it to progress to another auto immune disease. I did do some research last night on the

internet and found it is given for this purpose to slow the progression of auto

immune disease. I see a rheumatologist for this. I also have atrial fibrillation sometimes. This is a fast irregular heartbeat. I have been hospitalized 3 times for

this. I am afraid to take the

plaquenil because it lists one of the adverse side effects as an irregular

heart beat.

Thanks

Peggy

Peggy, did your doctor say that he

thought that you have lupus? I am not aware of an antimalarial being used

to treat the antibodies of Hashimoto's. However, I do know that

antimalarials are used to treat SLE (Systemic Lupus). Has your doctor

made statements to you concerning his/her belief that the " hives "

that you have may be the rash of lupus? I will do some digging around

again, but in all my readings about Hashimoto's (which I also have), I have

never seen where a doctor treated with this protocol. I have read over

and over though, that antimalarials are used for lupus sometimes, as a last

resort. Who is your doctor? How much discussion have you had with

your doctor about what he believes are your different diagnoses? Sorry

about the misinfo about it being a cholesterol med. The name seemed to

imply that. I am not familiar with the names of antimalarials, only that

they exist.

Tx

RE:

Plaqueinl

Hi , Actually this is

an antimalaria medication. I

strangely have very few symptoms of hypothyroid. The only ones I can think of is I

don’t sweat a lot and have some trouble sleeping. I think the trouble sleeping has to do

with the AF. I am so afraid I will

get it, because I always get it either at night when I go to sleep or I wake up

with it. My cholesterol last time I

had it checked was 160. I think

this is more of an autoimmune thyroid disease. Where my antibodies are on high alert

and are destroying my thyroid. At

least that is how Hashimotos is described.

The Plaquenil, I think slows down the immune system. I always thought it was good to have a

good immune system. I am never sick

except for the AF and hives.

My last TSH though was 9.8 and my thyroid antibodies which are suppose

to be under 5 are 398. I

don’t really get the whole thing myself, but I am trying to figure it

out. I am just afraid to start any

new medication. One of the adverse

side effects of Plaquenil is irregular heart beat.

Thanks

Peggy

[Guest guest]

A Rheumatologist

Re:

Plaqueinl

what kind of DR is putting you on

antimalaria meds for Hashi?

Plaqueinl

> Hi, My name is Peggy and I am new to

the group. I have recently

> started Synthroid for Hashamotos. I

have had hives since September.

> The Synthroid seems like it is helping but I

havent been on it for

> long. My doctor wants to start me on

Plaqueinl now to stop the

> progression of the disease. Has any one

else been on this

> medication?? How does it affect you.

>

> Thanks

> Peggy

[Guest guest]

do you know why the rapid heartbeat? I had the same thing and it turned about to be very low ferritin and transferrin.

RE: Plaqueinl

Hi , Actually this is an antimalaria medication. I strangely have very few symptoms of hypothyroid. The only ones I can think of is I don’t sweat a lot and have some trouble sleeping. I think the trouble sleeping has to do with the AF. I am so afraid I will get it, because I always get it either at night when I go to sleep or I wake up with it. My cholesterol last time I had it checked was 160. I think this is more of an autoimmune thyroid disease. Where my antibodies are on high alert and are destroying my thyroid. At least that is how Hashimotos is described. The Plaquenil, I think slows down the immune system. I always thought it was good to have a good immune system. I am never sick except for the AF and hives. My last TSH though was 9.8 and my thyroid antibodies which are suppose to be under 5 are 398. I don’t really get the whole thing myself, but I am trying to figure it out. I am just afraid to start any new medication. One of the adverse side effects of Plaquenil is irregular heart beat.

Thanks

Peggy

[Guest guest]

I have a comment....

Why would you take something to slow the progression of something that is inevitable... when you could take the hormone that is missing... to stop all the negative effects from progressing.. then reverse the process completely and get the body to working normally again?

Am I just being really slow today or does this not make sense?

Topper () *scratching head and wondering if I'm looking at it wrong*

On Wed, 21 Apr 2004 09:49:30 -0400 "Peggy Danley" writes:

Hi , I had several blood tests an all were neg for Lupus, but positive for Hashimotos. I have had a very bad rash for 9 months now on my arms and legs and my skin looks a little purple. I also have a rash on my face. It seems a little better now that I started on thyroid meds. The Doctor said that Hashimotos is Lupus like and that the Plaquenil sometimes helps in stopping it to progress to another auto immune disease. I did do some research last night on the internet and found it is given for this purpose to slow the progression of auto immune disease. I see a rheumatologist for this. I also have atrial fibrillation sometimes. This is a fast irregular heartbeat. I have been hospitalized 3 times for this. I am afraid to take the plaquenil because it lists one of the adverse side effects as an irregular heart beat.

Thanks

Peggy

[Guest guest]

Hi, A rapid hear beat is different

from atrial fibrillation. Rapid is

a tachyacardia. Sometimes to much

thyroid medication might give you a rapid heart beat, you should tell your doctor if

you have that. What I have is very

irregular and is about 120-140 bpm, for sometimes between

2 and 10 hours. Is feritin Iron??

Peggy

do you know why the rapid heartbeat? I

had the same thing and it turned about to be very low ferritin and transferrin.

RE:

Plaqueinl

Hi ,

Actually this is an antimalaria medication. I strangely have very few symptoms of

hypothyroid. The only ones I can

think of is I don’t sweat a lot and have some trouble sleeping. I think the trouble sleeping has to do

with the AF. I am so afraid I will

get it, because I always get it either at night when I go to sleep or I wake up

with it. My cholesterol last time I

had it checked was 160. I think

this is more of an autoimmune thyroid disease. Where my antibodies are on high alert

and are destroying my thyroid. At

least that is how Hashimotos is described.

The Plaquenil, I think slows down the immune system. I always thought it was good to have a

good immune system. I am never sick

except for the AF and hives.

My last TSH though was 9.8 and my thyroid antibodies which are suppose

to be under 5 are 398. I

don’t really get the whole thing myself, but I am trying to figure it

out. I am just afraid to start any

new medication. One of the adverse

side effects of Plaquenil is irregular heart beat.

Thanks

Peggy

[Guest guest]

Many DR's knew I had that and ignored it. Ferritin is the storage level of iron in your body. I see the asst professor of a med school as my DR now. Here is his web site. Some of the articles may interest you. www.goodhormonehealth.com

RE: Plaqueinl

Hi , Actually this is an antimalaria medication. I strangely have very few symptoms of hypothyroid. The only ones I can think of is I don’t sweat a lot and have some trouble sleeping. I think the trouble sleeping has to do with the AF. I am so afraid I will get it, because I always get it either at night when I go to sleep or I wake up with it. My cholesterol last time I had it checked was 160. I think this is more of an autoimmune thyroid disease. Where my antibodies are on high alert and are destroying my thyroid. At least that is how Hashimotos is described. The Plaquenil, I think slows down the immune system. I always thought it was good to have a good immune system. I am never sick except for the AF and hives. My last TSH though was 9.8 and my thyroid antibodies which are suppose to be under 5 are 398. I don’t really get the whole thing myself, but I am trying to figure it out. I am just afraid to start any new medication. One of the adverse side effects of Plaquenil is irregular heart beat.

Thanks

Peggy

[Guest guest]

Yes, and it also has the possibility of eye problems. I went to approximately a dozen different sites today, looking for the answer to this riddle of why he gave this for Hashi's, and every single search turns up for antibodies of Lupus only. I can't find one thing with this type of drug treatment for the antibodies of Hashi's. We're talking about different antibodies here, with a whole different treatment protocol. Also, one thing that you don't need now is anything that has the possibility of affecting your red blood cell function (with Hashi's). May I ask specifically what tests that he did for Lupus? The ANA may be negative in so many cases, but there are two more antibody test which are for Lupus, and one of them is very specific for it. The rash being on your face and arms sounds so suspicious to me.

Tx

RE: Plaqueinl

Hi , I had several blood tests an all were neg for Lupus, but positive for Hashimotos. I have had a very bad rash for 9 months now on my arms and legs and my skin looks a little purple. I also have a rash on my face. It seems a little better now that I started on thyroid meds. The Doctor said that Hashimotos is Lupus like and that the Plaquenil sometimes helps in stopping it to progress to another auto immune disease. I did do some research last night on the internet and found it is given for this purpose to slow the progression of auto immune disease. I see a rheumatologist for this. I also have atrial fibrillation sometimes. This is a fast irregular heartbeat. I have been hospitalized 3 times for this. I am afraid to take the plaquenil because it lists one of the adverse side effects as an irregular heart beat.

Thanks

Peggy

[Guest guest]

I'm gonna say, out-right, that this doctor knows nothing about autoimmune thyroid disease.

Tx

Re: Plaqueinl

I have a comment....

Why would you take something to slow the progression of something that is inevitable... when you could take the hormone that is missing... to stop all the negative effects from progressing.. then reverse the process completely and get the body to working normally again?

Am I just being really slow today or does this not make sense?

Topper () *scratching head and wondering if I'm looking at it wrong*

[Guest guest]

Ferritin levels show how much iron you have in storage, available. Serum iron does not indicate what you have in storage. Do you have PAT (heart)?

Tx

RE: Plaqueinl

Hi, A rapid hear beat is different from atrial fibrillation. Rapid is a tachyacardia. Sometimes to much thyroid medication might give you a rapid heart beat, you should tell your doctor if you have that. What I have is very irregular and is about 120-140 bpm, for sometimes between 2 and 10 hours. Is feritin Iron??

Peggy

[Guest guest]

Sounds like this is right up your alley ... I'm glad that you're here to help!

I know squat about Lupus and antibodies....

Topper ()

On Wed, 21 Apr 2004 11:04:41 -0500 " " writes:

I'm gonna say, out-right, that this doctor knows nothing about autoimmune thyroid disease.

Tx

[Guest guest]

Oh.

I don’t think I have had a Ferritin

level, but my hemoglobin and hematacrit are above

normal. I am not sure what you mean by

PAT (Premature Atrial tachyacardia??). If that is it no I don’t

have it.

Peggy

Re:

Plaqueinl

Ferritin levels show how much iron

you have in storage, available. Serum iron does not indicate what you

have in storage. Do you have PAT (heart)?

Tx

RE:

Plaqueinl

Hi, A rapid hear beat is different from atrial

fibrillation. Rapid is a

tachyacardia. Sometimes to much thyroid

medication might give you a rapid heart beat,

you should tell your doctor if you have that. What I have is very irregular and is about

120-140 bpm, for sometimes

between 2 and 10 hours. Is feritin

Iron??

Peggy

[Guest guest]

Hi , I don’t know what all this

means, but here are my test results.

I highlighted in red the only tests that were off. I had a few others but they were routine Glucose

WBC, RBC and they were all normal.

ANA Negative (normal is <1.5)

mine was 0.2

TSH 9.32

Antimicromosomal AB (Normal is <5.0) mine was 358.5

T-

Uptake T-3 (normal 25-35) mine

was 26.9

Free Thyroxine

(normal 1.1 to 4.2) mine was 2.

Cardiolipin Antibody Negative

T4 (normal 4.5 to 12.0) mine was 7.5

Thyroglobulin Antib Thyroglobulin

A (normal is <10.0) mine was 46

Free T4- (normal is 0.9 to1.71) mine is 1.1

Total T4 (normal is 4.5 to 12.0) mine is 7.5

My thyroid tests look normal

except for my antibodies and TSH.

Go figure!

Dilute RVTT- Normal

Platelet Neutraliza

– Normal This says no evidence of Lupus

anticoagulant or other coagulation inhibitor

Sjogrens Antibodie SSA and SSB –Negative

B 12 Normal

Circulating Anticoa

-No circulating anticoagulant identified

I had Serum IgG

was Normal range

IgA Normal

IgM Normal

Serum Kappa

Normal

Serum Lambda Normal

MPA Kap/Lam Rat Normal

Protein

Electrophoresis – no M-protein

band identified

Immunofixation Electrophoresis – no abnormal bands

Interpritation no evidence of Monoclonal gammapothy

Serum Protein Elect Total protein - Normal

Albumin SPE normal

Alpha 1 SPE Normal

Alpha 2 SPE Normal

Beta Glob SPE

Normal

Gamma Glob SPE

Normal

Interpret SPE Normal electroporetic pattern

Cryoglobulins Qual. Normal

C Reactive protein Negative

Rheumatoid Factor Negative

ANA Negative (normal is <1.5)

mine was 0.2

Antimicromosomal AB Normal is <5.0 mine was 358.5

Cardiolipin Antibody Negative

Thyroglobulin Antib Thyroglobulin

A normal is <10.0 mine was 46

Peggy

Yes, and it also has the possibility

of eye problems. I went to approximately a dozen different sites today,

looking for the answer to this riddle of why he gave this for Hashi's, and

every single search turns up for antibodies of Lupus only. I can't find

one thing with this type of drug treatment for the antibodies of Hashi's.

We're talking about different antibodies here, with a whole different treatment

protocol. Also, one thing that you don't need now is anything that has the

possibility of affecting your red blood cell function (with Hashi's). May

I ask specifically what tests that he did for Lupus? The ANA may be

negative in so many cases, but there are two more antibody test which are for

Lupus, and one of them is very specific for it. The rash being on your

face and arms sounds so suspicious to me.

Tx

RE:

Plaqueinl

Hi , I had several blood tests an all

were neg for Lupus, but positive for Hashimotos. I have had a very bad rash

for 9 months now on my arms and legs and my skin looks a little purple. I also have a rash on my face. It seems a little better now that I started

on thyroid meds. The Doctor said

that Hashimotos is Lupus like and that the Plaquenil sometimes helps in

stopping it to progress to another auto immune disease. I did do some research last night on the

internet and found it is given for this purpose to slow the progression of auto

immune disease. I see a rheumatologist for this. I also have atrial fibrillation

sometimes. This is a fast irregular

heartbeat. I have been hospitalized

3 times for this. I am afraid to

take the plaquenil because it lists one of the adverse side effects as an

irregular heart beat.

Thanks

Peggy

[Guest guest]

There ya go. I can't immagine this treatment for Hashi's. Like you said, enough thyroid hormone would do the trick a whole lot better.

Tx

Re: Plaqueinl

I called my DR about this. He said some people with arthritis and Lupus can do pretty well on this depending on the type of Lupus. He never heard of this for Hashi and said maybe the undertreated Hashi was making joints painful and that is what the med helped, but so would putting the patient on enough thyroid meds.

[Guest guest]

With thyroid disease (or any other), you need to know your Ferritin, serum iron, and your transferritin (transports iron). Has your doctor said that there is anything unusual about your hemoglobin and hematocrit being high? How about the MCV and MCHC?

Tx

RE: Plaqueinl

Oh. I don’t think I have had a Ferritin level, but my hemoglobin and hematacrit are above normal. I am not sure what you mean by PAT (Premature Atrial tachyacardia??). If that is it no I don’t have it.

Peggy

[Guest guest]

It is obvious that you have Hashimoto's. As someone else said, the only reason i can think of that he might have given this drug is possibly for joint pain, but this is no treatment protocol for Hashi's and cannot stop the progression of antibody destruction to the thyroid. What you need is the proper treatment with thyroid hormone, in the right amount.

Tx

RE: Plaqueinl

Hi , I don’t know what all this means, but here are my test results. I highlighted in red the only tests that were off. I had a few others but they were routine Glucose WBC, RBC and they were all normal.