1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

How did taking hydroxychloroquine for your PMR work for you?

Posted by lindaadele @lindaadele, Dec 29, 2024

I was diagnosed with PMR April 2023. I have been on prednisone and leflunomide so far. Nothing is working out well for me at the moment. My rheumatologist prescribed hydroxychloroquine 20 mg daily. At present I have pretty bad joint pain due to a flareup of my PMR!!! Any information you can give me would be deeply appreciated!!!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Support Group.

reets70 | @reets70 | Dec 30, 2024

I have been taking hydroxychloroquine for 20 years for other conditions, but still had a bout of PMR in March 2023. I have since relapsed, so I don’t think the hydroxychloroquine helps at all. I was told by my rheumatologist to take it anyway. I can’t imagine how much worse the PMR could be without it!

REPLY
mcarso | @mcarso | Dec 30, 2024

In !arch 2022 diagnosed with PMR started at 20 a day got off in May of 2024, my Dr. started me on hydroxychloroquine 200 mg a day to ween me off the prednisone. Been taking this since no side effects, no issues with PMR Will be on the HCQ until April 2025. My bruising also cleared up and have no or very little pain. Good Luck

REPLY
jrp11948 | @jrp11948 | Dec 30, 2024

Diagnosed with PMR January 2024. In July my Rheumatologist added HC to the Prednisone, and he told me I would probably be on it forever. It’s mainly a RA drug but it helps with the joints and it’s main ingredient is quinine.
I think it helped, I’m off of prednisone as of October 15, but still taking 400 mg of HC. No known side effects.

REPLY
1 reply
megz | @megz | Dec 30, 2024
In reply to @jrp11948 "Diagnosed with PMR January 2024. In July my Rheumatologist added HC to the Prednisone, and he..." + (show)
@jrp11948

Diagnosed with PMR January 2024. In July my Rheumatologist added HC to the Prednisone, and he told me I would probably be on it forever. It’s mainly a RA drug but it helps with the joints and it’s main ingredient is quinine.
I think it helped, I’m off of prednisone as of October 15, but still taking 400 mg of HC. No known side effects.

Jump to this post

Hydroxychloroquine doesn't contain quinine.

REPLY
jfannarbor | @jfannarbor | Dec 30, 2024

Did not work for me. It didn't solve the PMR and I had sleep problems due to hydrochloroquine.

REPLY
mtr2601 | @mtr2601 | Dec 30, 2024

I tried Methotrexate and reacted badly, extreme fatigue 24/7, basically couldn't get head off pillow, felt terrible, couldn't think or function. Rheumatologist wanted me to take Leflunomide but I was hesitant so she put me on Hydroxychloroquine 200mg (The optimal dose was 400mg by my weight). It definitely helped me get my Prednisone down without constant flares and no side effects initially. 12 months later it is having minor effects on my retina and heart so I have stopped it just recently. My Rheumatologist wanted me to keep taking it after I ceased the Prednisone but I feel it has done it's job. I'm now on 2mg Prednisone and feel confident about stopping it within the next few weeks. However the game changer for me was realizing I had celiac disease which triggered the PMR. Going totally gluten free in the past 3 months has made a big difference to my pain levels.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.