Plaquenil User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)

• Lumiya
• June 3, 2011

For Sjogren's Syndrome "When I was diagnosed with Sjogren's it was advised I start taking Plaquenil. I avoided it for months because I felt I had enough symptoms already without any side effects from medication. However it became quickly apparent that the fatigue and pain were not going to allow me to continue working being in my twenties at the time, this was NOT an option so I gave in and gave the Rheumatologist my consent. 6 years later, I have no complaints. I work full time and on the occasions that I forget to take my Plaquenil for a day or two, I notice a substantial difference; pain, unbearable fatigue, etc. and overall being unable to find energy enough to live my daily life. I am completely derailed without it."

• peanut
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 16, 2013

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I had very few side effects with this medicine in the beginning, but it didn't provide enough relief on days when I had to be on my feet for a few hours a day. It didn't remove all inflammation so I was taken off and tried on methotrexate, a lot worse side effects and no relief at all. I had no vision changes with Plaquenil and I would much rather have some relief than none. I was able to function with minimum pain with Plaquenil."

• Anonymous
• June 11, 2010

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I began taking Plaquenil 6 weeks ago and I am pleased with it. I'm now seeing the benefits and my Rheumatologist says that I should continue to get even better over the next 3 months. Honestly I'm okay with where I'm already at. The biggest surprise is that I'm receiving benefits that I didn't get from 20mg/day of Prednisone! The hardest part was when I first began Plaquenil. You initially experience side effects without any benefit but you just have to hang in there. The side effects start to improve significantly after 2 weeks. My side effects were nausea, loose stools, vomiting and temporary changes in vision (full eye exam confirmed that everything is fine.) I would highly recommend this medicine!"

• langt...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 28, 2015

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Started Plaquenil 8 months ago-200mg 2x/day- to treat Psoriatic arthritis and sjogrens. Learned to NOT take it in the morning with my Meloxicam 15mg because of strong nausea. If I take one after a big lunch and one after dinner, I have no problems at all. Joints and hands, wrists are doing so much better. One worry is that I am too tired to do anything at all. If I do laundry, I sweat. If I cook dinner or rake the yard, I sweat. I seem to even have trouble sleeping on my side at night because of trouble getting enough air into my lungs. Weird, I know. I rated it an 8 because I do not feel sick after taking it and it does seem to work. The last but not least worry is heavy hair loss. I have thin and fine hair anyway, but it comes out like crazy"

• mfried
• July 6, 2010

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Plaquenil has changed my life! I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis three months ago. My rheumotologist started me on this 200mg twice a day and after about a week I noticed a dramatic effect in my hands and feet. I used to wake up in the morning with swollen hands and feet and it took about a half an hour for the swelling/pain to subside. No longer is this true! I am 37 years old and finally have enough energy to keep up with my 4 children and busy husband. I sleep better, feel more focused in the daytime, and do not get tired from doing small tasks anymore. I am hoping to reduce my dosage and see if I can still get the same results."

• Sadie...
• March 2, 2016

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I'm a 57 year old female that has just been diagnosed with RA about 6 weeks ago. My GP gave me Arthrotech to get me through until I could see the rheumatologist The Arthrotech made me sick, for every 4 pills I took, I threw one up. Went to specialist yesterday and he gave me Plaquenil - I've only taken it for 2 days so far (400 mg) daily but I'm feeling worse ( although the weather has changed - snow storm) I can't believe how painful this disease is. Does it get any better? Will I have a pain free normal life one day soon? I don't go back to the specialist until May but I can't imagine being in this much pain until at least May. I'm feeling so sorry for myself and cry because I'm tired cry because I'm sore. When will it start working?"

• NC Gal
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 3, 2012

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "My Rheumatologist prescribed this for my rheumatoid arthritis and it is like a miracle for me. For the first time in several years I actually feel like getting out and doing things without restrictions. The joint pain has lessened and my rash subsided! I do plan on making an appointment for an eye Dr. due to some irritations I recently have been experiencing. All in all, I would highly recommend Plaquenil and hope you can see and feel the difference."

• Motown
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 16, 2019

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was diagnosed with RA after a knee arthroscopy seemed to set it off in 2017. I had pains in both knees, left wrist, hips, groin area & jaw so my Rheumatologist prescribed Hydroxychloroquine. After only 10 days I developed a terrible lumpy rash on my legs which was hot & itchy. It spread quickly to my abdomen, bottom arms & back, then I got a sore throat & swollen top lip! I stopped the tablets on the 12th day but the rash still spread. My GP put me on Steroids & Antihistamines. Hopefully this will stop the rash. It's amazing they tell you it can take 3months for hydroxychloroquine to be effective ( but only 10days to cause side effects!)"

• yanke...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 21, 2020

For Lyme Disease, Arthritis "I took this drug Plaquenil for a longer period and nearly lost an eye. I had to have eye surgery the day it was discovered I had multiple retinal tears. I had to be awake for 1+ hours and had a bubble in my eye for 8 weeks. I have had continuing issues with my other eye, having laser surgery for tears (also awake) numerous times. It will be a threat for the rest of my life."

• Mrs...
• February 19, 2012

For Lupus "For mild cases of lupus (meaning no organ involvement) I would say this works perfectly fine. Reduces fatigue and joint pain from a 10 to about a 2 depending on weather conditions. If you are active and maintain a healthy diet I would say fatigue and pain are at a nil while taking Plaquenil. It takes maybe a few months to get the dosages correct with your level of pain and fatigue."

• amand...
• January 13, 2019

For Lupus "Plaquenil Users Beware: Drug can make you completely blind: re: toxic maculopathy I took Plaquenil for over 13 years. One retina specialist said because of the toxic maculopathy it caused. *even if you quit taking the drug, it can continue to damage the eye until blindness occurs. If you are taking it, make sure your physician is using the NEW guidelines on treatment ==I think it is no more than 5 milligrams per kilogram If you have ANY changes in your vision, friends, head to a retinal specialist--1 test I had an angiogram done. Are there any support groups or experimental therapies for toxic maculopathy? I found EyePromise Restore Vitamins that I take for retina health my Dr. says will help "

• Steph...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 20, 2014

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was diagnosed a month ago with rheumatoid arthritis. My doctor started me on Plaquenil 2 weeks ago. 300 mg 2x a day. I had to stop taking it after a week because it upset my stomach causing vomiting, nausea, and extreme diarrhea. My doctor tried lowering my dose to 150 mg 1x a day to no avail. I'm hoping that she can put me on something that will work better as I have been in extreme pain for over a year. I am 30 years old."

• RA Mom
• March 9, 2013

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have been taking Plaquenil for about 2 months. I started out with 200 mg/1x day along with Prednisone to treat my RA, slowly tapering off the steroids. Now I am just on Plaquenil. I have to say that the pain is still there, especially in the morning and late evening. Sometimes it is difficult to fall asleep, but I gave it a 6 because it is nothing like before when I took no medication. Perhaps it works better for others? I still have the swelling and stiffness in the mornings, but, as I said, nothing like before. It also only gets a 6 because the headaches I get while taking it are debilitating. I sometimes wonder if the trade off is worth it? They start about 30 minutes after taking it and last until I manage to fall asleep. Sigh."

• jj120
• January 26, 2012

For Lyme Disease, Arthritis "I felt better than I have in 20 years! After 20 years on NSAIDS needed for Lyme arthritis, my kidneys were affected, and when I stopped NSAIDS cold turkey, it was amazing how much pain my body was in. Now a year into Plaquenil I feel like a new person. Get eyes checked every 6 months. Had a little visual aura two days ago, don't know if from Plaquenil, but getting it checked next week. Eye doctor said it wasn't serious."

• ithas...
• September 9, 2019

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Hi I am a 63 year old female who was diagnosed with RA after instigating a blood test for it out of desperation 3 weeks a go. My debilitating chronic pain in feet and random knee flare ups has a name. My rheumatologist put me on prednisolone ( reduced doses over in 3 months ) until the methotrexate starts working (once a week of 15mg for 2 weeks , 20mg once a week indefinitely). Plaquenil 300mg daily. I also take Vit D daily and 5mg folic acid once a week plus curcumin and fish oil I have been taking it all with breakfast for the last 8 days . I have had stomach cramps but no diarrhoea The prednisolone has been magic for pain free sleep and movement. will see in 2 months time with only the latter 2 . Trying to stay positive with yoga and strength exercises Drugs , vitamins ,anti-inflammatory supplements , eye tests and blood tests and maybe a nice wig are now part of my new reality"

• Anonymous
• July 31, 2011

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have been on Plaquenil for 11 months. It took 6 months to the day for it to start working and then, heaven set in. The pain diminished significantly. I have a flare up now, for the first time and wondering what to do. I've taken Aleeve, but no luck. I only seem to have a flare up during that particular time of the month, maybe something to do with water retention or hormones. Only side effect so far is upset stomach, take with food and in the middle of the day and much better."

• Taylor
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 20, 2019

For Sjogren's Syndrome "I’ve been on plaquenil 400mg once a day for 6 months now due to Sjogrens. If your are wondering how long the plaquenil takes to work, it took about 3 months before I starting feeling better. Now at 6 months I’m noticing more symptoms. I have a rash on my arms and my face feels like it’s burning but I don’t have a sunburn or anything. I’ve also noticed my eyebrows look like I have bleached them."

• Mrs...
• April 21, 2015

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Feel so much better since being on Plaquenil since 2013. Always have reg eye tests. My inflammation level is only a 2 now and it was 39. Still feel a little tired now and then but I blame it on working 30 hrs a week. Hope this drug helps you too."

• jjmcc
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 3, 2015

For Sjogren's Syndrome "It also took ten years to diagnose correctly. At first I took 2- 200 mgs of Plaquenil and it gave me an irregular heartbeat. Discontinued for a few weeks, then rheumy asked me to try again, one 200 mgm every other day. After six weeks had improvement in CRP and sed rate, even though the doc didn't expect any improvement on that low dose. Then he increased me to one pill each day. It did increase my migraines so he said to take it before bedtime with anti-anxiety drug. Side effect.....sleeping much better.....wonderful side effect. Occasionally I have to take Tylenol during night if headache wakes me up. Now I realize my extreme dry mouth seems slightly improved. Joint pain and foot pain is much better. HAPPY!"

• Cass
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 27, 2017

For Lupus "I'm in Australia , only just started this medication a week ago but I feel a less fatigued already. I was stuck in bed most days, but now I can go longer without needing to go to bed or feeling like I'm going to collapse. I haven't noticed any bad side effects yet either which is good! As I get nauseated and dizzy on meds easily and haven't found that to be the case! I just wanted to point out that some people hear a lot of bad things that aren't necessarily reported or true. Like I noticed a woman on here said she needs to stop taking it because of the tinnitus side effect means she might go deaf. But deafness hasn't been reported, just tinnitus as a side effect whilst taking it. Don't be so afraid if it's going to give u your life back"

• Jason...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 17, 2014

For Lyme Disease, Arthritis "Plaquenil has been great for me. It has reduced the stiffness & swelling in hands & feet to almost nothing. Started at 200mg twice a day, and have since reduced to one time per day. I have a complete eye exam once a year to watch for possible retina side effects."

• nanfor
• April 25, 2011

For Sjogren's Syndrome "I have been on Plaquenil 200 mg twice a day for 6 years and it has helped me tremendously. I couldn't get up from a chair or close my fists after being diagnosed with primary Sjogrens Syndrome. It took about a year, and I'm 90 % better. I am very careful to have a thorough eye exam every year to monitor potential ocular side effects. It is worth a try and the side effects are definitely less than long term steroid use."

• Anonymous
• February 26, 2012

For Sjogren's Syndrome "It has taken about 6 weeks for this medicine to work, the benefits have been subtle. I noticed that I have been able to do more, get out more and have even cut back on a dose of painkillers, my head is clearer - I just sort of feel different, not miraculously different or anything, but just more my normal self. I am still severely allergic to the sun or any UV exposure and can be sick for days if I am not careful or if I do too much but I do believe the Plaquenil has helped and I have been on it for 2 months now so look forward to further benefits from this medicine. Only side effects are erratic blood sugar, if I don't eat regularly I go hypo - badly hypo, although my doctor said he has never heard of this, so perhaps it isn't related."

• Lou...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 2, 2020

For Lupus "At first it made me very sick nauseous all day but figured out for me I could take it with peanut butter it coated my stomach enough to make me not nauseous. Took about 3 months to start helping joint pain and it has continued to help more the longer I’m on it, I still get joint pain flares here and there but much shorter time frames."

• a...
• March 6, 2008

For Lupus "This drug gave me back my life. I suffered with chronic cyclical arthritis that felt like it was in every joint. The fatigue was devastating. Even if I slept for hours I still woke up feeling no better. I was scared to take this drug but eventually I had to do something. Thankfully, I have no side effects. I only have very occasional arthritis and am no longer tired. It has given me back my life. I do have my eyes checked 2x/yr."