Is anyone taking Hydroxychloroquine along with prednisone for PMR?

Posted by rebeccaheard @rebeccaheard, Jul 27 8:38am

My rheumatologist just started me on Hydroxychloroquine for the PMN (and I am still on prednisone also). She said it could take 4 or 5 months to feel its effects. Is anyone else taking this? And if so, is it working?

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

rebeccaheard | @rebeccaheard | Jul 27 2:43pm

Sorry, meant to say PMR on the post, not PMN.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jul 27 3:57pm

@rebeccaheard, you may be interested in these related discussions:
- Treating PMR with Prednisone and Hydroxychloroquine: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/treating-pmr-with-prednisone-and-hydroxychloroquine/
- Are you taking Plaquenil (Hydroxychloroquine) for PMR?https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/are-you-taking-plaquenil-hydroxychloroquine-for-pmr/

Did your rheumatologist suggest adding hydroxychloroquine because prednisone alone was not working for you?

mcarso | @mcarso | Jul 28 4:58am

Just a quick note. I have been taking HCQ after finishing prednisone in my case. so far so good.

rebeccaheard | @rebeccaheard | Jul 28 8:05am

In reply to @colleenyoung "@rebeccaheard, you may be interested in these related discussions: - Treating PMR with Prednisone and Hydroxychloroquine:..." + (show)

@colleenyoung Yes, it is for PMR. And yes, she recommended because anything below 20 mg of prednisone doesn't seem to work. I've been going up and down on the mg since January.

rebeccaheard | @rebeccaheard | Jul 28 8:06am

In reply to @mcarso "Just a quick note. I have been taking HCQ after finishing prednisone in my case. so..." + (show)

@mcarso - No side effects?

gmdb | @gmdb | Jul 29 1:12am

I've been taking it for nearly 8 months along with pred. Been on pred now for 3 years for PMR. Had a very bad reaction to methotrexate last year(after taking it for 18 months). So trying HCQ along with pred.

Like all of the DMARDs, HCQ isn't a specifically targeted at PMR, and like the others has a limited success with PMR. It works well for some people, but may not help many others with PMR. So far it hasn't helped speed up my taper rate on pred or stopped flares from occurring, but it has caused no side effects - which puts it way above methotrexate (in my book). methotrexate made me ill for a couple of days each week and ultimately put me into hospital for 4 days with bone marrow issues. Thankfully the really nasty issues cleared up within 4 weeks of ceasing it, but the whole episode ended up disrupting the pred tapering schedule for 8 months. Given those issues, I am still hoping that the HCQ will do some good over time.

ruralgal76 | @ruralgal76 | Jul 30 2:14pm

In reply to @gmdb "I've been taking it for nearly 8 months along with pred. Been on pred now for..." + (show)

@gmdb Hi... I was on HCQ a year, along with daily 100mg celebrex , 5 mg of pred daily, and infusion monthly of orencia.... i quit HCQ as I felt that it was doing nothing for me and it has side affects, eyes especially, ...I feel no different with out hcq ...I have a desire to end prednisone but cant get any lower than 5 mg daily...Seems We are all such individuals so getting to really know your dr. and visa versa is a real plus ...I feel lucky.. Thanks for sharing...I find ideas from all who share... r a is a certain mystery I believe.....I hope to find a better infusion than orencia... it isnt helping ... Best to you....cheri