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Are you taking Plaquenil (Hydroxychloroquine) for PMR?
I was given Plaquenil about 4 weeks ago. 400mg once a day. I was told that it could take 6-8 weeks for it to work. I am feeling a bit better and can get out of bed easier than before I started taking it.
The pain in my legs and thighs has lessened for most of the day but I do take an occasional extra strength Tylenol some mornings. Right now my biggest problem is the pain in both of my biceps with right to left movement which does not letup at all. I have tried getting back to playing playing pickleball and my legs are no problem, but swinging the paddle is very painful.
I would love to hear from anyone also on Plaquenil about how long that you have been on it, is it working and what type and locations of pain you have, or if you have no pain.
Thanks.
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It’s a good drug. It has helped me through many painful episodes for the last 19 years. I will take it for the rest of my life if I have to. I’ve have had no side effects at all. I don’t know if it helped with PMR pain because I am still suffering with that pain every morning, but I think recovery is much faster with hydroxy.
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1 ReactionI have been on Hydroxy for 3 months at the suggestion of my rheumatologist. I have been on varying levels of pred for 3 years. The pred works until I taper down to 1mg and it is back again.
I truly believe my PMR started with my covid infection and I find that flare-ups seem to coincide with interaction with people (grandchildren) with illnesses. It is to coincidental.
Been on HCQ for 2 years after getting off of prednisone. No symptoms of PMR returned. Also I never have gotten a cold or flu while taking HCQ. Taking 200 mg a day.
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1 ReactionNo side effects from HCQ?
No side effects had to get some type of eye test in January 2025, but all was great. Going for a second eye test tomorrow.
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2 ReactionsGood luck.
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I was on HCQ for three months and had the wildest dreams and sleeping problems. It didn't help my PMR so my rheumatologist switched me to sulfasalazine and after 3 months and no help I was switched to Kevzara. I have been on Kevzara for about 6 months and it seems to be helping. I am down to 2.5 mg of prednisone and hopefully will be down to zero P in the future.