@cptrayes Well, I’m sorry to hear that you’re unhappy with the care that I’m receiving. I, however, am incredibly happy with my care team and the balance we’ve struck between meeting my health/family planning goals and choosing medication to manage RA symptoms.

My care team has been extraordinarily mindful about treatment and monitoring for a variety of reasons, not least of which is that I have been ttc, pregnant, or breastfeeding for my entire treatment course.

I do sincerely hope that concerns over retinal toxicity don’t deter folks desiring to grow their families from at least trialing HCQ to see if it works for them - it’s one of the few DMARDs that’s considered safe for pregnancy and breastfeeding due to low/virtually no transfer of the meds across the placenta or into breastmilk. It’s also been great since it’s an immune modifier and not a suppressant, given I’m constantly exposed to childhood illnesses.

I’m sorry to hear so many folks have had retinal issues as a result of HCQ, but it is my understanding it’s considered a rare side effect in folks under 60 without other risk factors regarding kidney and liver function.

I’m sure I won’t be on it forever, but it’s been great for now! I also know quite a few other folks my age that have been on it during childbearing years and done well (including having successful pregnancies).