RE: Reducing Prednisone to Connie

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From what I have learned, plaquenil (sp?) has been used in the past for malaria patients and those in the beginning stages of rheumatoid arthritis. It is supposed to reduce inflammation in those with sarcoid. Why, it's not used first instead of prenisone, I don't know. Someone is going to have to school me on that one. I have copied the possible side effects from healthsquare.com: Side effects of treatment for lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis may include: Abdominal cramps, abnormal eye pigmentation, acne, anemia, bleaching of hair, blind spots, blisters in mouth and eyes, blood disorders, blurred vision, convulsions, decreased vision, diarrhea, difficulty focusing the eyes, diminished reflexes, dizziness, emotional changes, excessive coloring of the skin, eye muscle paralysis, "foggy vision," halos around lights, headache, hearing loss, heart problems, hives, involuntary eyeball

movement, irritability, itching, light flashes and streaks, light intolerance, liver problems or failure, loss of hair, loss or lack of appetite, muscle paralysis, muscle weakness and wasting, nausea, nervousness, nightmares, psoriasis (dry, scaly, red skin patches), reading difficulties, ringing in the ears, skin eruptions, skin inflammation and scaling, skin rash, vertigo, vomiting, weariness, weight loss Hope this helps a little bit. Naa KoshieConnie Griffis wrote: To all, What is plaquinil & what does it do to sarc, I know I must be mixing up the names of medicines but I was thinking this was the med they used with people with clots. I promise I am not being a smarty, I just don't know

anything about this and I am very curious. It sounds great, especially the part about no side affects. The side affects from prednisone have been horrorific. My skin looks like I am a scarred over victim of Jack the Ripper when he was really mad. I've gained weight, to a point that Shamu at sea world only has the advantage of keeping his job because he can hold his breath longer and swim better, and it really "cramps"( i.e. charley horses) my style. Thank you for the info//Connie Marla Bramer wrote: I have Sarcoid in my lungs, skin, joints and neuro as far as we know. I did not gain weight with the plaquanil, but I had already gained 50 lbs with the pred. and it has taken me 2 ½ years to lose any of the weight, and it wasn’t until I had my healing that I lost most of the weight, but still not all of it. Plaquanil truly has not given me any problems, I don’t know about the others on the list? Marla From: Neurosarcoidosis [mailto:Neurosarcoidosis ] On Behalf Of Naa Koshie O. MillsSent: Monday, May 22, 2006 5:30 PMTo: Neurosarcoidosis Subject: RE: Reducing Prednisone to Marla Thank you for answering my email. I've been a little hesitant. One of my issues with prednisone is the weight gain. Have you had those issues with plaquenil? I've gained 65 pounds while on the prednisone and am trying to lose weight because I don't want the extra

pounds to cause other issues. It's taking everything in me to deal with the sarcoid by itself. I'm not trying to be skinny again, just as healthy as I can be. Where do you have sarcoid? I'm always curious about others. I have it in my lungs, skin, and joints. Naa KoshieMarla Bramer wrote: I have been on Plaquanil for almost 6

years now, no problems, can't rememberif I had any in the beginning, I don't think so, my eyes always check outOK, you have to get your eyes checked every 6 months, I can't remember why,but my doctor has me coming every year now, since I've had no problems, goodluck, it really helped my breathing a lot, I was put on because I broke outwith a terrible rash whole body, they thought lupus but in the end said itwas related to Sarcoid, and has helped keep the lesion down, but reallynoticed a change in my breathing. So am still taking it, one at night, and2 in the am. Good luck, and God bless, Marla -----Original Message-----From: Neurosarcoidosis [mailto:Neurosarcoidosis ] On Behalf Of Koshie127Sent: Sunday, May 21, 2006 4:30 PMTo: Neurosarcoidosis Subject: Reducing PrednisoneMy doctor has been reducing my prednisone dosage for the

past few months.Now that I am down to 10 mg he wants to add Plaquenil. I've done someresearch on Plaquenil, but I'd like to know what others' experience have been on the drug.Please respond...Naa Koshie