20 years of plaquenil is affecting my sight. Thoughts?

Posted by jfox56 @jfox56, Feb 4 1:24pm

I’ve taken plaquenil for 20 years and it’s starting to affect my vision. Any thoughts or ideas how you managed this situation?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Autoimmune Diseases Support Group.

csmirat | @csmirat | Feb 4 3:31pm

Are you seeing an eye Dr every 6 monthes? I have been seeing eye Dr for check ups every 6 monthes since I have been on plaquenil 24 years ago.

jfox56 | @jfox56 | Feb 4 7:16pm

Yes, that’s how I found out I’m losing peripheral vision.

carolinediehl | @carolinediehl | Feb 5 9:46pm

See your eye doctor regularly and make sure he or she knows what meds you are taking. I also took Plaquenil for years. When I started to have a vision problem (doctors were quick to spot it) they immediately took me off of it. Things were fine after that. Caught it early. A couple of years after that the methotrexate I was taking also showed signs of a problem, so they took me off that too. Things have been good since then. How is your arthritis holding up?

kstar077 | @kstar077 | Feb 6 11:36am

In reply to @carolinediehl "See your eye doctor regularly and make sure he or she knows what meds you are..." + (show)

I am taking methetrexate and plaquenil 200 mg twice a day and methetrexate 2.5mg x8 once a week. And folic acid 1mg every day except when i take methetrexate once a week. So far I am OK
Started predesone in 2023. Started plquenel may 2023. Methetrxate Started 7-4-23 . Dropped pred. The 26th sept 23. I am just on meth. Plyquenel folic acid and a low dose diligen (sp?) For blood pressure. I am 75 so if I can continue on for 20 years before it affects my liver and eyes. Well I am doing great. My rheumatologist said he is going to take me off plaquenil soon. Good luck to us.
Taking for

lindaadele | @lindaadele | Feb 6 1:34pm

I have just started taking hydroxychloroquine six weeks ago for PMR. It is extremely important to see your Ophthalmologist periodically or as much as they feel is necessary to check your retina and other situation‘s with your eyes!!! this medication definitely can affect your eyesight!!! my best wishes to you!!!

joanthompson | @joanthompson | Feb 7 7:21am

In reply to @kstar077 "I am taking methetrexate and plaquenil 200 mg twice a day and methetrexate 2.5mg x8 once..." + (show)

If I may ask why are you not going to be taking Plaqunil anymore?

hammock117 | @hammock117 | Feb 7 7:29am

In reply to @jfox56 "Hi Yes, that’s how I found out I’m losing peripheral vision." + (show)

Did Dr take away hydroxychloroquine due to your eye change.

hammock117 | @hammock117 | Feb 7 7:39am

I have been in a Lupus flare since Christmas. On 2× 200 hydroxychloroquine and 7×2.5 methatrexate plus predisone 5mg as needed.
Headache low volume..avoid stress as much as possible. Bones hurt..
Other meds for us are very expensive. Blessed our Dr gave us old school meds. Proven for years. Nothing is perfect.
Dr nor pharmacy sd to stop folic acid day of Methotrexate??

jfox56 | @jfox56 | Feb 7 8:28am

In reply to @hammock117 "Did Dr take away hydroxychloroquine due to your eye change." + (show)

No, but I’ll see her again in April for a follow up.

kstar077 | @kstar077 | Feb 7 8:46am

In reply to @joanthompson "If I may ask why are you not going to be taking Plaqunil anymore?" + (show)

Because my dr
Is worried about plyquenil potential for damaging the connecting nerve in back of my eye
Eventually

View More View Less

Please sign in or register to post a reply.