plaquenil side effects?

Razzleberry · Puppy Joined: 12 Jun 2006 Posts: 201

HI, I'm newly diagnosed and just started on plaquenil along with prednisone. Yesterday was the first day of plaquenil and I had such a terrible headache all day and my stomach was upset and I know this sounds stupid but my teeth hurt Smile

. How long does it take to get used to this medicine and should I be watching for any other weird side effects? Is it easier on you to take in the AM or PM or divide the dose in half and take half in the AM and half in the PM. My doc said I could do that if I wanted but yesterday and now today I took both pills together in the AM. Just looking for some answers ...oh I took a sleeping pill last night because the prednisone won't let me sleep and had my first good night's sleep in a while. It helps alot!
Sharon

Sheryl · Posted: Sat Jun 17, 2006 6:54 am Post subject:

I always take the plaquenil half in the am half pm, with meals. Are you going to be on the prednisone long term, or tapering off? I found that caused me way more side effects than the plaquenil. I think the sleeping pills could cause the headache too... sorry that's not too much help. I don't seem to have many side effects with plaquenil alone.

ButterflyRN · Posted: Sat Jun 17, 2006 7:10 am Post subject:

I'm on both prednisone and plaquinel. I take both of my pills at lunch time with my meal along with my prednisone. I do not have any side effects but plaquinel and prednisone are hard on your stomach so make sure you take both with meals. Sorry I don't have symptoms that you can relate too but hope you have better luck soon.

Razzleberry · Puppy Joined: 12 Jun 2006 Posts: 201

HI, OK now I have another strange side effect I'm assuming from the plaquenil. My fingertips get all funny like they've been in water too long ...you know ....all wrinkled and prune-y. They do this in the evening and feel funny too. Anybody have any idea what I'm talking about?? And anybody know how to make that go away?? In the mornings they're back to normal again but it's happened for the last 2 nights. It's no big deal but strange and feels funny.
Thanks Smile

Ariel · Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2006 5:39 am Post subject:

Razzleberry · Puppy Joined: 12 Jun 2006 Posts: 201

I'm pretty sure the waterlogged fingertips is from the plaquenil ...it started when I started taking the plaquenil. It's not a big deal ...just annoying and a tad strange me thinks Smile

Sheryl · Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2006 7:51 am Post subject:

Oh Goody - something new to look forward to! <g>
I seem to be suddenly loosing my hair - I clogged the shower drain this morning there was so much.

Is this from Plaq. or just a lupus symptom?!?

Razzleberry · Puppy Joined: 12 Jun 2006 Posts: 201

Don't know about the hair ...all mine seems to still be attached as it should be Very Happy

atedj · Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 8:12 pm Post subject:

About your teeth hurting, I had the same thing happen! They were so sensitive I couldn't eat or drink anything that wasn't room temperature. And it happened right after starting the plaq. My doctor prescribed Saligen for me because it seemed that I had a secondary autoimmune disease: Sjorgen's Symdrome (the body attacks its own moisture producing glands). I guess the Plaquinel just aggrivated the symptoms. Since my mouth was so dry (and I felt like no matter how much I drank, it was STILL dry) I guess my teeth and gums hurt from the lack of saliva. Also, my eyes were so dry that I would wake up at night not being able to open them. I had to get on prescription eye drops for that.
Anyway, just a thought to ask your rheumy if he thinks you should be treated for Sjorgen's as well.

Razzleberry · Puppy Joined: 12 Jun 2006 Posts: 201

Well now that's interesting ...just what I really need ...something else wrong with me Smile

My teeth seem to be ok now ...my waterlogged fingers still come and go ...and yesterday was a very bad day overall. I just felt awful all day long. Today tho I'm feeling ok and I'm hoping I stay that way:-) This sure is an interesting trip on this Lupus train!!
Sharon

buddhabelly · Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 6:07 pm Post subject: Plaquenil problems

Hey Sheryl! I've been losing my hair before I was diagnosed with Lupus. So, my hairloss must be due to the lupus. I asked my rheumie and he said hairloss is a symptom of lupus. My hair's been getting thin. But ever since I've started on Nioxin shampoo and conditioner, less hair has been found in the shower drain. And I've been noticing little hairs growing in. Very Happy

I had a really bad reaction to Plaquenil Sad

First of all it made me constipated. I had stomach problems when I was on it. Plaquenil also caused a bad reaction to my skin. I had a bright red rash ALL OVER MY BODY! Crying or Very sad

It looked like I had sunburn! Also, it itched so bad. I drenched myself with Calamine lotion. The itching kept me up all nite. I was so miserable. Crying or Very sad

My rheumie told me to stop taking the plaquenil. Eventually, the rash went away. That was my reaction to plaquenil. I guess everybody has different side effects to it. Idea

Annie · Newbie Alert Joined: 04 Jul 2006 Posts: 2

When I first found our I had lupus the doc asked me if I lost much hair. Which I always did. I would easily fill up the shower drain every morning. He said that was one of the symptoms of Lupus. Then he started looking through my hair and asked how I ever noticed any hair loss cause I had soooo much hair. LOL

browneyedgirl53 · Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 10:49 pm Post subject:

Hi,

I've been on Plaquenil for almost 4 years, I developed narrow angle glaucoma and had have eye surgery. I was immediately taken off it - but am back on it now.
I have had the same symptoms you decribe, it sucks!!

Hope you're feeling better soon. Take Care
Browneyedgir.

Tiffery · Tadpole Joined: 24 Jul 2006 Posts: 17 Location: TABOR, IA

Sounds like I have a lot to look forward to. My ruhmie put me on plaqunil today. I'll let you all know how it works for me.
Tiffery

beanie · Newbie Alert Joined: 13 Aug 2006 Posts: 1

I have been on plaqunil for 3 months and I'm just starting to get dizzy from it and stomach hurting and loose stools has any one had this. :
Beanie