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Hydroxychloroquine side effects
Hi! My name is Candy and I’m looking for some pros and cons of taking hydroxychloroquine. My rheumatologist gave me a paper explaining a ton of very scary side effects and honestly, I’m afraid to start it. Does anyone have any experience starting out treatment with this drug and do the benefits outweigh the side effects.
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@tisme you need one of the biologics but they are expensive.
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1 ReactionI’ve been taking hydroxychloroquine for almost 4 years and haven’t had any side effects. I’ve tolerated it really well! I know that’s not the case for everyone, but there was literally no adjustment period.
I was also super nervous about taking it due to the laundry list of side effects, but I’ve had none of them at all. It’s a little tricky if I get sick (ie, my rheum instructs me to go off it if I come down with Covid), but beyond that it’s been a great med that has helped a ton with very little downside.
The special eye exam you have to have every few years is the only bad part lol. Heads up on that!
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2 Reactions@cptrayes anyone know what biologics there are??
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1 Reaction@naturalcranberry
I'm glad it works well for you but your eyes should be being tested at least once a year, particularly as you are approaching 5 years, which is a crunch point.
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2 Reactions@tisme there are several but they are tuned to different symptoms/ pathways and you'll need a rheumatologist to decide which one is best.
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1 Reaction@cptrayes Yep! I have to apologize as misspoke - I was in a bit of a hurry! I had the initial one 3.5yrs ago and I’ll start the yearly exams in 2027.
I get a bit mixed up about it all as I see a neuroopthalmologist for another eye condition - I go where they tell me hahaha
The plaquenil/hydroxychloroquine eye exam is a doozy though! I was not prepared for it. It’s amazingly bright
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1 Reaction@naturalcranberry I think you are probably US? In the UK the exam is yearly from before you start it, or should be. Some people like me get reactions to it in the first year. But I have it done anyway as yearly monitoring for glaucoma, so I'm just used to it.
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1 ReactionI was unable to stay on it due to severe diarrhea. So I cannot speak as to its effectiveness. I was on it for the autoimmune disease PMR.
Hoping you can find a medication that works with few to no side effects.
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1 Reactioncant get the tests done till next month , rheumatologist says can go back on hydroxy if the results are ok , bit late now though its been a few months since I stopped the drug so I doubt there will be a true result from the testing
Greetings on this blustery day: I quit hydroxy myself same reason: made me feel sick with loose stools always.. Im better.. who knows what is right.. we are all so different.. I am on Celebrex and that helps. Doesn’t make me feel sick.. best wishes to you as you navigate the drug journey