RA meds hydroxychloroquine and methotrexate (injection)

Posted by shirleydm @shirleydm, Dec 13, 2024

I have RA and Sjögren’s and due to chronic and debilitating back & neck pain for 24 months, I finally agreed to start hydroxychloroquine and methotrexate after two MRI’s confirmed spine damage from RA. I’m on my 4th month of taking the meds. I am a 67 year old female and have been using natural remedies for pain management for years, but they stopped working for the spine pain. I was resistant to taking these meds due to side effects but they seem to be helping with keeping the pain at a more manageable level. My issue is I now have 24/7 eye pain and blurry vision. I see an eye specialist every month and he’s treating the conditions, ie, tear duc plugs, 3 different eyes drop medications, etc, but no relief yet. Is anyone else having chronic eye problems with these meds? Thank you!

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In reply to @shirleydm "Thank you!!!" + (show)
@shirleydm

Thank you!!!

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You’re very welcome~! I hope they help!

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@catartist

Eye exams are highly encouraged with Hydroxicloroquine generally -

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ABSOLUTELY!! Every 6 months at least. More frequent dental exams too.

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@shirleydm

That is really good to know! I am afraid of the side effects of the RA medications but if it will help with the dry eye issues then I feel hopeful. Appreciate the response.

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Plaquanil is usually very well tolerated. You'll just go to your eye doctor more often to make sure all is ok. Side effects are only possibilities, not certainties, and bad ones are usually pretty rare. I've been on plaquanil for a year and all I can say is"thank God".

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I have those same side effects with my eyes, but I never thought it was from theHydroxy, which I also take, I use Systane COmplete no preservatives and fine it helps a lot, I always suspect my dry eye was from my autoimmune disease. How can you determine that the symptoms are from the meds and not the disease?

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