Hydroxychloroquine User Reviews & Ratings (Page 5)

• Anonymous
• December 24, 2011

Hydroxychloroquine for Lupus "I was diagnosed with Discoid lupus in 2009 and I began using Plaquenil once I stopped breastfeeding. Initially, the only difference I noticed was my hair stopped falling out. After taking Plaquenil for less than a year, my face and neck started turning black. My dermatologist is convinced that Plaquenil is the culprit and just recently confirmed it. Between my rheumatologist and dermatologist, they're trying to find the right medicine that will work. I've been using bleaching creams for about 9 months, and they haven't worked well. I tried to come off Plaquenil but I experienced bad headaches and hair loss."

• san...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 23, 2020

Hydroxychloroquine for Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have been taking Plaquenil for the last 6 months. It has worked so well to reduce my inflammation. Along with methotrexate, I have next to no RA symptoms. Do take this with water or food, as it can upset your stomach. Also, try to eat healthy, as I have noticed increased appetite on this medication."

• Sci...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 13, 2015

Hydroxychloroquine for Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have been on Plaquenil for two months to treat newly diagnosed RA. The duration and intensity of the flares have been reduced, but I am still suffering with aches and swelling in my small joints and elbows. I have had mild nausea and am having my eyes monitored by my optometrist."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 28, 2014

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have been on hydroxychloroquine for over a year. It has eased the pain in my hands for a while, but the longer I am on this medication, it is not working as well as it did. I am still having stiffness and pain in some joints. This is at 200 mg x 2 daily."

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

Hydroxychloroquine 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."

• sun...
• September 6, 2014

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I am a 47-year-old female who has suffered many years from chronic pain in my joints! It's been a long road to finally have a doctor go out of his way to clearly confirm a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. It's not even been a week yet since hydroxychloroquine was introduced as part of my treatment! Wow! I have not conquered this journey all the way yet, but I will. This medicine has improved my ankle and finger joint pain. It's only been a week! Yes, there are some minor side effects, but compared to the pain I was in over a week ago, it's incredible! The rheumatologist is the key! Great care and the combination of two other treatments are improving my life one day at a time! Don't wait! Ask your rheumatologist today what hydroxychloroquine can do for your rheumatoid arthritis."

• C W...
• December 9, 2017

Hydroxychloroquine for Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have been on Plaquenil for about 15 years without apparent side effects until this year. But this year, I have developed severe swelling of the face and a red rash on the upper half of my face. This also includes very difficult itching in odd places on my body, my eyebrows and eyelashes, my earlobes, my lower legs and lower arms, my scalp, and of course where the red rash was. This was twice cleared up with heavy doses of antibiotics and cortisone. However, my rheumatologist took me off all arthritis drugs, and we added them back little by little. When Plaquenil was finally included with the other drugs again, it took about three days, and my face started swelling, and the rash and itching. I can only assume that this was the cause of my allergic reaction, even after all the years of use."

• Joa...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 29, 2019

Hydroxychloroquine for Lupus "I have been taking it for five years. My ALE is on the mild to moderate side of things, thank goodness. I regularly get my vision screened, and so far, so good. My arthritis has gotten much worse and is affecting almost all of my small joints in my hands and feet. The only thing I have noticed has been a gradual darkening of my skin, which would be okay if it was an even darkening, but alas, only in blotches. Can't really say if Plaquenil helps me and am considering discontinuing it."

• mus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 29, 2013

Hydroxychloroquine for Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease "I just started this medicine a few weeks ago. My rheumatologist told me that it could take up to 12 weeks to work. I have had stomach cramps, diarrhea, headaches, and worsening of symptoms in my joints. I am not going to give up on this. I don't really want to rate it because I have not been on it long enough. I wanted to comment so that others could possibly get some encouragement to hang in there if possible."

• Lou...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 16, 2020

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was diagnosed with hydroxychloroquine for RA in 1996. During the next approximate 12 years, my doctors prescribed hydroxychloroquine and methotrexate (can't recall the timing on each). Then, after those 12 years of meds, I no longer had any RA pain. My doctor agreed to discontinue the meds. It has been 12 years since then, and I remain pain-free."

• Cha...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 20, 2016

Hydroxychloroquine for Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease "I did not have any adverse effects as such on starting this medication, except a mild skin rash. I have been on it for about 4 years. I have been relatively okay, but what produced a dramatic improvement was an anti-inflammatory, antitoxic diet with no artificial, packaged, or canned foods, no sodas, etc., accompanied by yoga and especially breathing exercises, pranayama, daily for 30-45 minutes, which produce miraculous results over time."

• Anonymous
• December 31, 2008

Hydroxychloroquine for Rheumatoid Arthritis "I've been on this medicine since I was 12. I'm now 21. I have yet to experience any major side effects. Just recently I've noticed that it upsets my stomach if I don't eat with it, but I guess it's because my doctor just upped the dose because I gained weight."

• una...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 29, 2015

Hydroxychloroquine for Rheumatoid Arthritis "I live in the UK and have all treatment under the National Health Service. I have RA, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, blepharitis, and interstitial lung disease! Blimey, I hear you say quite rightly. I say it every day. I take hydroxychloroquine in conjunction with methotrexate and etanercept, and they seem to work well together. However, since my methotrexate was reduced (due to continual chest infections), I have noticed a recurrence of swelling and pain has increased. I am now on 80 mg of morphine (MST slow release) x 2 per day and oramorph (instant effect morphine) for breakout pain. Docs told me that they know the three meds work in conjunction with each other, but they don't know why! Who cares - give me the drugs. Hope this helps."

• Laf...
• February 9, 2015

Hydroxychloroquine for Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease "I started taking this medication three months ago, November. The doctor told me it would take up to three months to work. After the first month, the fatigue lessened. I didn't want to sleep all day long, I actually wanted to move. Soon after, the occurrence of joint pain also lowered. It still hurts when I push myself too hard and on rainy days, but the pain isn't consistent anymore."

• Gra...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 8, 2020

Hydroxychloroquine for Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have taken this medicine for 2 years. It helped my hands so much, more like 100 percent, but I can tell that my eyes are getting bad. I have an eye doctor appointment next month. What I didn’t know was it could cause your hair to fall out - it’s been falling out bad. I just found out yesterday that this is one of the side effects, so I am stopping this medicine. Hopefully, I can take something up. For all of you out there that have no side effects, you are so blessed!!!!"

• Anonymous
• January 9, 2011

Hydroxychloroquine for Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was diagnosed with RA in October 2010 and have been on Plaquenil (200mg 2x/day) and Celebrex (200mg/day) for 3 months now. I've noticed a slight improvement in my hands and fingers as far as morning/evening swelling goes, but the stiffness and pain still persist. I go back to see the RA doc next week and am hoping he can either increase the dose or add something else to the mix because I'm still not feeling all that great."

• emi...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 7, 2017

Hydroxychloroquine for Lupus "I was eventually diagnosed with SLE in 2012, three months after my first (& worst) flare. I took prednisone for a week and started taking 200 mg Plaquenil and 2400 mg ibuprofen daily, and 50-150 mg tramadol as needed for pain. In my experience, the prednisone helped to reduce the excruciating, debilitating joint pain by calming the inflammation, and Plaquenil and ibuprofen kept it at bay...for the most part. My rheumatologist took me off Plaquenil two years ago; I still take 400 mg of ibuprofen two times a week. I still get flares once or twice a year, but they are not as bad...six, as opposed to a ten, on the pain scale. Tinnitus started a few weeks after I started Plaquenil and I still have it. It's vastly annoying, but at least it doesn't hurt! Best of luck to all!"

• Fin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 18, 2021

For Sjogren's Syndrome "I was just recently diagnosed with Sjögren's syndrome. It has been a challenge to understand all of this. Does anyone else have numbness and tingling in feet and hands? My doctor says it is probably from chemo I had 9 years ago. Not sure I believe that. I was started on 200 mg a day. Also, had anyone experienced the possible heart complications from the drug?"

• Anonymous
• October 31, 2010

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I had pain in my knees, feet, wrists, elbows and shoulders. Sitting down and then getting up again was quite painful, some days I could walk only very slowly. After 8 weeks of taking hydroxychloroquine and meloxicam, I felt much better, but my joints were still somewhat swollen. My rheumatologist was ready to put me on stronger medication. I asked to give it a while longer before taking that step, since I felt so much improved. After 4 months of tracking my progress, the doctor now says I won't need the stronger medicines. The hydroxychloroquine was just very slow-acting for me. I am very glad my doctor was willing to work with me, and I recommend patience with this medicine. By the way, I've experienced no side effects to date."

• kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 1, 2018

Hydroxychloroquine for Rheumatoid Arthritis "I tried this med for mild to moderate rheumatoid arthritis, and after a few days of stomach aches, I started getting severe stomach pain that had me doubled over. I realized it had begun when I started taking the Plaquenil. I called my doctor, and we agreed I should not be taking it. Less than 24 hours later, my pain was gone. Not for me! Never again... it was a terrible experience!"

• Jul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 13, 2020

For Lyme Disease, Arthritis "I started on Plaquenil 400 a day, about 10 days ago. Mild nausea after the first dose, but no side effects since. Slept well for the first time in weeks yesterday and actually felt rested afterward for the first time in months, with pain all but completely gone. I am weaning off steroids slowly while it gets in my system. Optimistic!"

• MKa...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 11, 2019

For Lupus "Plaquenil is a unique drug that helps control/suppress certain autoimmune symptoms. Plaquenil will not work for everyone with autoimmune issues. But there are other drugs like Erythromycin, Azithromycin, Doxycycline, Fluconazole, Malarone, etc. that may work better for your autoimmune condition. Also, taking 100 mg of Doxycycline an hour before the Plaquenil allows the Plaquenil to work more effectively by breaking down the biofilm of the cells, allowing the Plaquenil to penetrate the cell faster and more effectively. If you have fungal-related issues like pleurisy, edema legs, circulatory issues, thickening of your blood, certain heart issues, or clotting of arteries, etc., a drug like Fluconazole twice a day with aspirin for at least 6 weeks up to 6 months may actually help relieve those types of symptoms. Everyone is different; the key is having a physician that will help figure out what works best for you."

• Anonymous
• March 15, 2016

Hydroxychloroquine for Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease "I was on this medication for one day when I began to have severe vomiting 30 minutes after taking it and stomach bloating and uncontrollable gas. By day six, I called my doctor to tell him I had bilateral muscle weakness in my legs and could hardly walk a straight line without feeling like I was going to fall down. My doctor stopped the medication after six days when I presented with a known severe adverse side effect of this medication: muscle weakness and loss of coordination."

• Kit...
• April 24, 2009

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was diagnosed with sero-negative rheumatoid arthritis in 1998. Plaquenil quickly helped the swelling and pain in my hands, wrists, and elbows. After 4 years, a new doctor questioned whether I really had RA, and she took me off Plaquenil. Less than two years later, my hands seemed to freeze up, and I actually wore splints because of the pain. A new rheumatologist quickly put me back on Plaquenil. I have my eyes checked by a retina specialist twice a year. My only pain now is osteoarthritis in my knees and back, and I exercise and take occasional anti-inflammatories for that. I am grateful to Plaquenil when I remember how bad my pain and the swelling were before Plaquenil."

• Sno...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 25, 2014

For Lyme Disease, Arthritis "I have taken hydroxychloroquine for less than a month, prescribed by my rheumatologist. As yet, I see no improvement in arthritis symptoms, but the doctor said it would take at least two months to see results. But like some of the others on this website, I am experiencing thigh pain that is unbearable by afternoon and evening. It is almost impossible to navigate stairs. I did not have this pain before taking this."