Plaquenil and Fatigue: What Users Say

• Ohs...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 16, 2014

For Sjogren's Syndrome "I was diagnosed with Sjogren's Syndrome 3 months ago. I also have rheumatoid arthritis and Hashimoto's. My rheumatologist prescribed Plaquenil in hopes to control all 3 conditions. I would say that Plaquenil has basically given me my life back. I suffer from debilitating joint pain, fatigue, brain fog, and extreme anxiety. I had to quit working because as a high school teacher, brain fog and anxiety are probably 2 of the worst things you should be dealing with when dealing with teenagers. I would give Plaquenil a 10, but I haven't been on it long enough to see the full effects. I continue to have more energy every day, I'm back to walking as exercise again, and my joint pain is very well controlled."

• Ash...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 15, 2020

For Lupus "I've been taking Plaquenil for 6 days now, and I already notice a difference in my SLE. I almost feel normal. Before, I struggled with fatigue and pain. Since it's a mild stimulant, it helps with my energy, and my body is feeling so much better. I can't wait for a month to be up to see the results more clearly. I'll update then."

• Lum...
• 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. Six 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 enough energy to live my daily life. I am completely derailed without it."

• Dar...
• June 6, 2017

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Haven't taken this. Just wanted to read some feedback. I was on methotrexate, but stopped because it gave me chills, fatigue, and shortness of breath. I even fainted at work. The doctor suggested Plaquenil as a possible alternative, but after reading some of the comments, I don't think so. This is really frustrating and sad. The FDA should NOT be approving these crappy drugs which can cause worse problems than the one you have. I honestly don't know what to do, let the RA turn me into a cripple or take my chances with one of these death drugs?"

• 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."

• Ang...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 1, 2019

For Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease "I have been taking 200 mg of Plaquenil twice a day for 10 years. I get my vision checked every 6 months. I have had some thinning of my hair and can be nauseated in the morning if I don’t eat, but these are minor side effects compared to the symptoms it is treating. Switched to a new rheumatologist (mine retired), and the first thing he did was start weaning me off Plaquenil, saying I’ve been on it too long. I’m down to one pill once a day and absolutely miserable. I’m easily fatigued, achy, and feel exhausted. Started going to bed earlier and earlier but not feeling rested. Don’t want to get out of bed. Now I’m depressed because I felt great on the drug he says I can’t have."

• Amb...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 23, 2018

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I started on Plaquenil for psoriatic arthritis in 2015 (200 mg twice daily). I didn’t feel too bad, but a huge bout of stress made my symptoms worse. I then started methotrexate in addition to Plaquenil. My rheumatologist suggested once daily Plaquenil, and that seemed okay. After a while, he said I could stop it as he was not sure if it was working. I tapered off the dose, and I slowly began feeling dreadful. The fatigue was awful, and I had weird signs akin to severe fibro. I then started back on twice daily Plaquenil. Within two weeks, I began to feel more human, and six months later, the fatigue is greatly improved. The small joints in my hands and my wrists are less sore, still painful but improved. I can do more now and feel like doing more. I still have some bad fatigue days, and the rheumatologist is still talking about biologicals, but for the moment, I’m happy to see how I go. None of these drugs are perfect, but at this stage, Plaquenil is really helping me."

• che...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 13, 2022

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I thought it might be helping, I thought I tolerated it well because my eyes were okay. I was wrong. My heart rate went up a couple of years into taking it. Doctors blamed pain, then fatigue got worse to the point that I lived in my recliner. Then I developed more problems that slowly got worse: dizziness, extreme fatigue to the point that I couldn't concentrate on basic tasks, racing heart and near fainting, uncontrollable sinus infections, daily migraines, and my skin was all messed up with rashes and rosacea. I started dropping weight fast, food went right through me. The heart had problems not caused by the heart, the gut had problems not caused by the gut. Finally, the blood doctor's tests showed hemolytic anemia was bad, I was reacting to the Plaquenil in other ways too. Three months off and I'm near recovered. Watch that stuff!! Eight years, GONE, I was near death with doctors blaming RA and misdiagnosing as other things!"

• Bar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 23, 2016

For Lupus "I had only had a mild SLE flare about 30 years ago. I had plenty of the discoid lupus symptoms, but they were easily controlled with avoiding the sun and using sunscreens, especially in the last 20 years. I developed another autoimmune problem about 15 years ago (gluten intolerance or possible CD). I ate the 'gluten-free' Cheerios when they hit the shelves about 6 months ago and almost killed myself, as they were not gluten free. This touched off a SLE flare of unbelievable proportions! Practically every joint in my body was hurting so badly, and I had fever and fatigue and did not respond to NSAIDs. Plaquenil has been my lifesaver! Adhering to an anti-inflammatory diet for a month helped, also. The price-worth it."

• Laf...
• February 9, 2015

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."

• mag...
• September 3, 2011

For Sjogren's Syndrome "Almost a complete turn around from three years ago - fatigue still a factor at times as well as muscle pain but NOTHING compared to what it was like before taking it."