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RA hands and wrist

Posted , 9 users are following.

lesley91928
lesley91928

Hi I have been put on hydroxychloroquine has anyone had these meds and can you tell me if you have been on them if they have help you am really not sure about them I have read up on them please let me know if any of your have taken it or are on them would much appreciate it thanks

1 like, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • don09442
    don09442 lesley91928

    Posted

    Hi Lesley, yes I am on hydroxychloriquine, 200mg x 2 per day for 4 years!

    They are part of my drug scheme alongside, methotrexate and sulfasalazine. I am fortunate not to have any side effects other than fatigue and mostly pain free. It took about four months for the drugs to get the symptoms under control....

    you need to try them to see how they affect you! 

    Unfortunately they affect people differently!

    best of luck,

    Don..

  • tammythepotter
    tammythepotter lesley91928

    Posted

    I've been on this drug since I was diagnosed 3+ years ago. I was told I have a mild to moderate case of RA. It seems to work for me with occasional flare ups. I also take anti inflammatory drugs along with it. So far, so good.
  • Debra1954
    Debra1954 lesley91928

    Posted

    Hi Lesley,

    When I was first diagnosed with RA nearly 8 yrs ago I was put on methotrexate tablets which made me feel very nauseous so I went on to injections but continued to feel really unwell. Being really unsure what to do next I was given info on 3 alternative drugs one of which was hydroxychloroquine, went away to read up and made the decision to give it a try. It seemed the lesser of the three evils. I've been on it probably 6 yrs and it hasn't caused me any problems I'm aware of. My rheumatologist whom I only have to see once a year ( no regular blood tests as with methotrexate) always seems pleased with how the RA is being controlled...long may it stay like that...despite the fact I do get joint pain its manageable and every so often I get spells of extreme fatigue which most people seem to get. One side effect of the drug is it has changed the colour of my hair but that's not a major problem for me. I'm on 400mg a day. Everyone reacts differently to the meds but good luck. I hope I don't have to go on anything else.

  • jane99379
    jane99379 lesley91928

    Posted

    I was on this for only 2 days and had a really bad reaction to it, my brain  was vibrating so badly,I was in a lot of pain bad headaches and could not even stand light, was taken off straight away and have only methotrexate since, with steriod injections when it has been really bad.
  • cheria
    cheria lesley91928

    Posted

    Hi Lesley,

    This is the only RA medication that has been successful for me, having only ocassional flares (about one yearly). It did take 2 or 3 months or so to to get my RA under control, but it has been wonderful with no painful side effects like the others. Over a period of 2 1/2 years, I failed sulfa drugs (these are antibiotic type drugs), methotrexate, and all of the biologics. MTX and biologics lowered my immune system which induced infections (including dental), fibromyalga, painful muscles and joints, and extreme fatigue. I was on a daily amt of 15 mg of prednisone until the medication kicked in about 2 or 3 months later. Thus is nothing compared to the 2 1/2 years of non effective toxic side effects, and non management if my RA with the other medications the doctor tried. I was given info in the beginning, that it would take a few months to kick in, but has essentially no side effects, except for a recommendation that my eyes are checked yearly.

  • sandy67
    sandy67 lesley91928

    Posted

    I have been onthese about two months and I feel they are making a difference.my hips are not as painful annd I have more energy. These are much more tolerable than sulfasalazine too. I was suffering dreadfully with pelvic pain and although its still there, it s much more bearable and gradually improving so I am really pleased with this med x
  • JohnN36
    JohnN36 lesley91928

    Posted

    Hello Lesley,

    I am not a fellow sufferer, but I am trying to help my wife. Whilst I am not medically trainedm I am a 78 year old wh has, for long, been for "natural" treatments, if they work. So, whilst I am not answering you question, I hope you might find this helpful.

    A young nurse of 23, got RA, her name was Margaret Hills. she was determined to try to heal herself or manage her condition by natural means, and she wrote book(s).

    Now my wife is a hopeless patient, and simply does not help herself, but here are some things I have discovered. Of course, share this with your medical advisers. I think that they would say, try it, it shouldn't conflict with your medication (sorry for lack of grammar).

    Bathe your wrists and hands in warm Epsom salts for about 20 minutes at least twice a day.

    Use molasses, rather than sugar. I think that one can get used to the taste of molasses. They are basically all the goodness that is taken out when refining cane sugar.

    Please forgive me if you find this no use at all.

    • cheria
      cheria JohnN36

      Posted

      Your information is very helpful toward finding ways to manage the RA condition. We must be proactive and helpful to ourselves in every way we can. I myself have given up sugars and other things that are highly inflammatory and watch closely my stress levels and state of mind, along with getting magnesium into my body with magnesium soaks as you have shared, as well as supplementing with magnesium glycinate, which helps tremendously, and induces very restful sleep and healing sleep hours. In order for the magnesium to be absorbed adequately, my experience and research has shown that along with the magnesium, calcium carbonate and D3 must be taken so all 3 are absorbed properly for the highest therapeutic gain. I failed all RA medications (sulfa antibiotics, methotrexate, and biologic injections) except for plaquinil, which together with being proactive, as you have shared, have been able to manage a very serious case of RA except for an ocassional flare. I do need to have a steroid pack or injection at that time to get me back in track,but all in all am able to mage much of the RA this way. Thank you for your helpful and thoughtful contribution. I will further research the author you have shared.
  • anne04253
    anne04253 lesley91928

    Posted

    I was prescribed hydroxychloroquine 20 months ago when first diagnosed with RA.  This helped considerably until 5 months ago and for at least a year I had virtually no symptoms or side affects. However I have had a non stop flare up since Christmas and at my hospital they only ever talk about methotrexate, as if they are on commission for prescribing it or something. So I have just been prescribed with that, though I was reluctant as I have known people with bad side affects.  I also had an intramuscular steroid injection and it started to help within a day!
    • cheria
      cheria anne04253

      Posted

      Hi, I don't know why methotrexate is constantly attempted..it was extremely toxic to me as well and I will not touch it...I am on hydroxychloroquine (plaquinil) and have had flares (happen about once yearly) and am promptly treated with a steroid pack (and or steroid injection if needed) to get me back on track. Did your doctor not do this for you before your condition got to this point?? I would pay close attention to my body, and if methotrexate caused more serious pain(including fibromyalga) or induced secondary conditions or infection (dental included) as it lowers your immune system, I would not touch it.
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