Thanks everyone! One more question

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to thank you all for the very encouraging emails

and also all the information you gave me regarding meds and

doctors. I was very touched to get so many nice and helpful

responses.

I went to the rheum today. He decided NSAIDS weren't cutting it

after all.. Duh!! He decided to put me on Plaquenil. I know it's a

DMARD. I also know I have to have my eyes checked every 6-12 months

and LFTs but that's about all I know. Has anyone been on this med?

The first thing my pharmacist said to me was, " this is pretty heavy

hitting stuff. " My rheum made it seem almost benign.

If anyone has any information or first hand experience with this

med could you pass it my way?

Thanks again!!

C:)

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

I was on plaquinel for almost a year and couldn't say that it helped me. In

fact it is known for making psoriasis worse, according to my rheumatologist

that I'm seeing now. I was put on it by the doctor that treated me so badly

and who wouldn't listen to anything I said. I tried it for a year because I

was so desperate to feel better and at that time he wouldn't give me a

definite diagnosis. It did bother me on the eye exam, only because you can

totally go blind from it, though that side effect is really rare.

I wish I had better news, but my doctors act like now it is a weak drug and

not strong like the biologics at all. It must help someone or it wouldn't

be around so much and a lot of doctors start off prescribing it. So I hope

you are one of the lucky ones and you get some relief from it. The other

thing I was annoyed about with it was, my doctor always told me it took

months..like in 6-9 months to work, and I was sick of waiting that long. Is

that all he gave you? How did the support group listings go over? I'm glad

at least he is willing to try something new. Take care and I hope it helps

you and you feel better right away. Take care, Fran

[Guest guest]

Dear C --

Plaquenil is a terrific med and it helped me a lot. One word of caution

though.....get you hearing checked soon and then be consicous of any changes

in your hearing. I developed permanent hearing loss taking it. It is very

rare but it can happen. I wish I had known so I could have stopped taking

it sooner. I hope it works as well for you as it did for me.

Cheri :-))

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/7/2004 1:47:39 AM Eastern Standard Time,

fran@... writes:

I wish I had better news, but my doctors act like now it is a weak drug and

not strong like the biologics at all. It must help someone or it wouldn't

be around so much and a lot of doctors start off prescribing it. So I hope

you are one of the lucky ones and you get some relief from it.

I have to agree with Fran. My doctor did not think it was one of the better

drugs around for our situation and that it probably would not work.

Janet

[Guest guest]

Hi Cheri,

Thanks for the info and advice. I meet with my PCP tomorrow and I

will add the hearing test to my list. I'm really glad that you told

me about that because the rheum did not list that as a possible side

effect. He never told me it could possibly worsen my P either....

Thanks again,

C:)

> Dear C --

>

> Plaquenil is a terrific med and it helped me a lot. One word of

caution

> though.....get you hearing checked soon and then be consicous of

any changes

> in your hearing. I developed permanent hearing loss taking it.

It is very

> rare but it can happen. I wish I had known so I could have

stopped taking

> it sooner. I hope it works as well for you as it did for me.

>

> Cheri :-))