Placquenil

[Leila006]

I went to the Rheumatologist today.  While talking to me she said I most likely had Fibro, however, when she did the physical exam, she said I had no fibro trigger point pain, only joint pain.  So she's back to her rheumatoid/osteoarthritis diagnosis.  She still thinks I have fibro also but she says in cases such as mine, you treat the RA first.  Because I've had such a bad experience with so many meds and pain killers, she has prescribed Placquenil.  She says if I don't show any improvement by Jan., she will discontinue it.

Anyone ever tried Placquenil for Fibro or RA?  What did you all experience?  I will start taking it tomorrow morning.

P.S. I was on Savella and I felt better with the first dose but the pain returned after that.  All it does now is make me sleeply.

Thanks for any responses!

Leila

[karajo]

Hi Leila, and welcome to MedHelp.

I am currently on Plaquinel for Lupus, but a friend of mine is on it for RA.  I think it's been a miracle drug for me.  I felt like I was dyeing and it has given me a new hope.  To me, it has been a gift from God!  My friend said she can see it helping her.  It takes a few months to really see the full benefit of this medicine.  But it you have something autoimmune, It would help you... and it would actually help them rule out or dx.  The only side effect is diarrhea for the first month or so.  I take an herb called slippery elm, my friend takes immodium once a week. (any more than that and the other problem arises) :)  There is a very slight risk that Plaquinel can cause retina detachment.  But they keep an extremely close eye on that. (eye exams twice a year)  The risk is actually 1%.  To me, the benefit out weigh the risk.  

It sounds like you have a very careing and smart doctor.  Thank the Lord for her.

Also fighting the good fight of faith
~Kara

[dustybrown]

Hello,
Sometimes diagnoses gets little tricky when a patient exhibits symptoms of Fibromyalgia but also has clear symptoms and tests positive for some, but perhaps not all blood work and other quantitative tests that shows arthritis. There are specific measures for RA that doesn't necessarily require a positive Rheumatoid Factor. I think that is where some people begin to have trouble. I guess what I am saying is it is possible to have Rheumatoid Arthritis without having a positive blood test for Rheumatoid Factor, but of course there would be other factors that would be present for her doctor to make the diagnosis. And on top of it all, you can have RA and FMS together. For example, I have OA and FMS. It's all rather confusing if you ask me.

[concerned621]

Hi, Isn't there a way to prove through blood work if it's truly arthritis?  I think she needs to determine that first before treating you as though you already have arthritis.  You may have fibro.  What are you symptoms? I am not familiar with this medication. I am concerned that this doctor jumped the gun with the diagnosis though.  Are you?  Of maybe you left some things out?  Let me know.  Take care and I hope you feel better. Look up the medication prior to taking it.