Have a question about Plaquenil

[nanascraps]

Hi all! Ok I have been on Plaquenil for a little over a week now and I know it can take a couple of weeks to start working but it seems like my pain is like 10 times worse since I started taking it. Is this normal?

[txsilver]

Sorry to hear you are feeling worse!  I seem to recall that I thought I was not changing for the better and maybe even worse at first.  In retrospect, I think the disease was continuing it's progress and the medicine was not built up enough in my system yet so it would make sense to feel worse before feeling better.
I know 3 months feels like an eternity, especially when you do not know if it will even work!  The good news is you are on the path to a treatment plan.  Try tokeep your chin up and hang in there.

[nanascraps]

Thanks! I felt really bad for about a week. I even called in sick on Tuesday because it hurt to even walk! But I am feeling much better today!! :) When you have a "flare" how long do they usually last? It seems I felt really really bad for about a week then almost overnight I felt pretty good again. Is this normal? Again thanks for being there for me!! :)

[txsilver]

Glad to be here for ya!  My flares vary in duration and intensity.  If the weather is bad or changing a lot, I am in misery.  When the weather settles down so do I.  If I over do it, I can throw myself into flare for a day or two.  What I can say for sure is that now that my meds are getting tweaked out and closer to the final plan, my flares are not as bad or as long.  

[smittygirl]

Like Tx said we all vary in the duration of flare ups.  I am a thick headed Irish woman and  it really has taken me a long time to accept that I have AS and ReA.  Soo, as TX said when I over do it I pay for it.  I finally understand that stress and not getting enough rest are crucial to how good or bad I feel.   I have read more articles on the weather being a factor but it is no coincidence as far as I'm concerned that when the rains are coming, the humidity is high or it's really cold that by body reacts.  My ex doc didn't believe weather had any correlation at all to these diseases, but HE doesn't have them!   One of many reasons he is now my EX rheumy!   I hope the Plaquenil  works for you.  My combination of Enbrel and Ketoprofen seem to be working for me after 10 weeks.    Being able to get enough rest/sleep is a huge part of controlling flare ups so be good to yourself!    Take  care.

Sue

[nanascraps]

Ok so I guess I am "normal" Ha Ha! I totally agree with the weather thing! I live here in Northern Arizona and it is starting to get hot. Our average high that week before the "flare" was about 85. Then we got a cold front that came through (caused all the tornados in mid west) and that Friday and Saturday we got snow! (didn't stick to the ground) then 2 days later it was warm again and I started feeling really cruddy! I am not looking forward to monsoon season or winter if this is what it is going to be like. :(

[smittygirl]

I JUST had to write you back tonight, I live in NY and the last  days it has been high 90's, humid and my hands, knees, feet and fingers are swollen and killing me!!!     The weather  has everything to do with it!!!!!      Finally getting some wicked thunder storm now that is supposed to get rid of this heat.  I lived in FLA for 20 years and moved back here 11 months ago to be near family after getting sick and to get the heck out of the heat, I HATE it.   Hopefully the morning will  bring relief!     Take care and I hope you feel better soon.  Stay in touch!


Sue
smittygirl

[nanascraps]

I feel for you! Yesterday it was 90 here also but at least we don't have the humidity to deal with. Like they say it's a "dry heat"! Ha Ha! Phoenix is about 1 1/2 hours south of us and I avoid going down there if at all possible during the summer. Even though it is dry the highs in July and August are around 110-115. During the winter we go to Laughlin NV which is about 2 1/2 hours away for long weekends to have some alone time away from the kids and it is beautiful weather but during the summer the temp hovers around 115-118 so no way! Hope you are feeling better and staying cool!!

Cathie