Post treatment arthritis type pain

[54Marie]

Hi all!
I am being urged to take hydroxychloroquine for my pain. Has anybody ever taken this? And is there a danger of relapsing if one takes this? Vision problems? Hair bleaching/thinning?
I am undetected since week 4. Am 10 months post treatment. (Peg int.- Riba- TMC435)
Really worried. Thanks!

[54Marie]

Thank you all for your answers!  You have provided me with more info to permit me to further my decision making process. This pain started suddenly 2 months after treatment and is caused by interferon. The study Dr is sending me to another rhumatologist for a second opinion. I will definitely ask if I have been tested for Cryoglobulins....
Thank you!
XXXXX

[Idyllic]

HI take you you are SVR so do you mean could this drug cause you to relapse?  According to the article, it says "Relapse rates were 11%, 19%, 9%, and 8%, respectively..."  *however* "...sustained virological response (SVR) is determined  week 72 (24 weeks after completion of treatment)"

So in theory you could possibly get reinfected but not sure about relapse according to the parameters of the trial

Here are a few links about TMC435. I hope others who took the same med chime in with their experience.

AASLD: TMC435 + Interferon/Ribavirin Raises Cure Rates for Naive and Experienced Hepatitis C Patients

http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hepatitis-c/hepatitis-c-topics/hcv-treatment/3353-aasld-tmc435-interferonribavirin-raises-cure-rates-for-naive-and-experienced-hepatitis-c-patients


Medivir Announces Final Results from TMC435 Phase IIb ASPIRE (C206) Study
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/medivir-announces-final-results-from-tmc435-phase-iib-aspire-c206-study-133065613.html

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Not sure I follow what "being urged" means given Plaquenil (Hydroxychloroquine) is an Antiarthritic (and antimalarial). In other words it is a specific type of pain medication likely based on an underlying diagnosis or perhaps another condition.

If this is the case I encourage you to follow through with the doctor who prescribed it so he can explain the side effects and possible drug interactions.  I only know one person who takes it but she also takes with another med called Rheumatrex for her Lupus.

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This is from Netdoctor UK. It looks like vision may be an issue since it says, "You should have an eye test before starting treatment with this medicine and at least every 12 months."  

I am guessing you might be OK  depending on the date you had your pre-treatment baseline eye exam and retinal scan. However as previously mentioned your Ophthalmologist or treating physician may be the best person to address this.

How does it work?

Plaquenil tablets contain the active ingredient hydroxychloroquine, which belongs to a group of medicines that are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, called disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs).

Unlike painkillers, DMARDs work in rheumatoid arthritis by suppressing the excessive activity of the immune system that causes the inflammation of the joints. This actually slows progression of the underlying disease. It is not fully understood how hydrochloroquinine works, but it reduces the inflammation in the joints and the associated swelling and pain . However, it doesn't reverse any structural damage to the joints that has already occurred.

DMARDs are used when painkillers called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, eg ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen) do not provide sufficient relief from the pain of the arthritis. However, unlike NSAIDs, they can take up to six months to produce their full effect, so they don't provide immediate relief from the pain.

Hydroxychloroquine can also be used to treat other conditions, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) and skin disorders caused or made worse by sunlight.
What is it used for?

    Rheumatoid arthritis.
    Long-term inflammation of skin and internal organs (SLE or DLE).
    Juvenile arthritis (severe inflammatory disease of the joint that commonly occurs in children and adolescents).
    Skin disorders caused or made worse by sunlight.

Warning!

    You should have an eye test before starting treatment with this medicine and at least every 12 months while you are taking this medicine. If you notice any changes in your vision during treatment, for such as blurred vision, decreased vision or changes in your colour vision, you should stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor immediately so that your eyes can be checked. This medicine should be discontinued if any visual problems develop.

Use with caution in

    People with gastro-intestinal problems, such as peptic ulcers, ulcerative colitis.
    People with neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease.
    People with blood disorders, such as anaemia, leucopenia, neutropenia or thrombocytopenia.
    People taking medicines that may cause skin reactions or impair vision.
    Decreased liver function.
    Decreased kidey function.
    People with a deficiency in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD deficiency).
    Hereditary blood disorders called porphyrias.

    This medication may cause a blurring of vision. If affected do not drive or operate machinery.

    This medicine may rarely cause a decrease in the normal amounts of blood cells in the blood. For this reason you should have regular blood tests to check your blood cells. Consult your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms: unexplained bruising or bleeding, purple spots, sore throat, mouth ulcers, high temperature (fever), feeling tired or general illness. Your doctor may want to take a blood test to check your blood cells.

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/seniors-health/medicines/plaquenil.html
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Further here are 553 comments on Plaquenil (Hydroxychloroquine) from the Ask A Patient web site. (I love this site :)
http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=9768&name=PLAQUENIL

Best of luck and congrats on slaying the Dragon!!!

[8nickers8]

I just looked it up. It is used to treat malaria, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.  so maybe forget what I wrote if: Did your Dr. diagnose you with any of those?  If so, follow your Dr.'s orders.  AND no, you cannot relapse now from anything.  Once it's gone it's gone.

[8nickers8]

No relapsing from anything.  Once you are cured you are cured.  Did you finish your entire treatment and get pronounced "cured" at 24 weeks?  If so, no worries about anything like that making you relapse. Relapse is no longer anything that involves you.  I never heard of that medicine but I have severe arthritis, joint, back and facial nerve pain. I am beginning to learn about cryoglobulins and how that might be the "cause" of these extrahepatic pains.  It's complicated so you have to read up about it.  There is simple then type 2 and type 3 and essential.  Complicated.  BUT my question is, if you are post treatment 10 months and have been UND since then, why would you all of a sudden get arthritis pain that you are connecting to the Hep C? The only way to connect it is the cryoglobulins, I think.  My advice, go back to your hepatologist and ask to be assessed for Cryoglobulins before you take that medicine.