Hydroxychloroquine and Pain: What Users Say

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

Hydroxychloroquine 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

Hydroxychloroquine 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."

• Hol...
• November 13, 2018

Hydroxychloroquine for Rheumatoid Arthritis "I've been on a roller coaster for years with Plaquenil for RA/Lupus. I take the name brand to prevent side effects of red, warm, swollen, painful hands, nausea, dizziness, hair loss, etc. Each time I try going back to generic, side effects return immediately. I'm not one to comment but I read so many reviews that sounded like either my ups or downs, so I want to encourage people to stick with this med and try the name brand (though expensive) if having bad side effects with generic. It could explain why some people have such opposite experiences. I get Plaquenil from an international pharmacy and it's much cheaper. It works better than biologics that contributed to or sped up the process leading to my cancer. I'm now 'cancer-free' and refuse to go back on them. I might have to get my vision checked and deal with other mild side effects, but pain and swelling are gone on Plaquenil. Anyway, please hang in there and give your body enough time to adjust to the med before stopping it. It's a risk versus reward scenario with meds."

• Sad...
• March 2, 2016

Hydroxychloroquine 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. I went to the 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 - snowstorm). 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 crying because I'm tired, crying because I'm sore. When will it start working?"

• Mam...
• September 3, 2013

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have taken Plaquenil for rheumatoid arthritis for about 6 months now. I take 200mg once a day. I cannot stress enough how much of a miracle this medicine has been for me. It was so good that some days I forgot I had rheumatoid arthritis altogether. I had no pains at all. The only drawback was that I was losing my hair and it became very dry and brittle. Being a woman, that scared me, so I quit the medication only to have the pains come back again. I spoke to my doctor, and he suggested trying to take it 3 times a week instead of every day to see if it reduces the hair loss. What good is a full head of hair if you are stuck at home and in constant pain? I'd rather lose a few locks to be able to live my life pain-free."

• Sjo...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 23, 2013

Hydroxychloroquine for Sjogren's Syndrome "I have been on Ranbaxy generic Plaquenil for 11 months now. I don't think it helps me very much, but I continue to take it because I am not experiencing any side effects. My condition is not well-controlled with this drug alone, and I will soon start an additional DMARD after recently finding out I am intolerant of MTX. My battle with Sjogren's has been so much more than glandular issues. It has attacked my biliary system, causing me to lose my gall bladder and have complex issues with the pyloric valve, lower esophageal sphincter, and sphincter of oddi. This causes a variety of symptoms such as bile and acid reflux, bile salt diarrhea, nausea, vomiting up bile, and right upper quadrant abdominal pain. I have signs of kidney disease too."

• She...
• December 4, 2011

Hydroxychloroquine for Sjogren's Syndrome "Plaquenil has given me back my quality of life. I think I've been on it for about 3 years now. However, I've recently stopped taking it as I am having flashes in one eye and don't have the money to see a retina specialist - or an eye doctor for that matter. Now that I have stopped the medication, I am back to having constant pain throughout my body - especially in my joints... and in my bones, and I am exhausted and sleep a lot without feeling rested. As soon as I get my eyes checked and if my exam shows good results, I will be back on Plaquenil immediately."

• Vet...
• May 1, 2015

Hydroxychloroquine for Rheumatoid Arthritis "I started this medication a week ago and have had very vivid dreams. I used to wake up with rib and hip pain/stiffness. I also couldn't relax and lay in bed because my body just felt restless. I would say that on day 2, I woke up almost completely relaxed and nearly no stiffness. I also started taking Celebrex on the same day, so I'm not sure if it's the combination of the two or one or the other, but I feel so much better. I am a 31-year-old female and a mom of a 1.5-year-old."

• Vet...
• May 1, 2015

Hydroxychloroquine for Rheumatoid Arthritis "I started this medication a week ago and have had very vivid dreams. I used to wake up with rib and hip pain/stiffness. I also couldn't relax and lay in bed because my body just felt restless. I would say that on day 2, I woke up almost completely relaxed and nearly no stiffness. I also started taking Celebrex on the same day, so I'm not sure if it's the combination of the two or one or the other, but I feel so much better. I am a 31-year-old female and a mom of a 1.5-year-old."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• spu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 27, 2017

Hydroxychloroquine for Rheumatoid Arthritis "I am still trying to figure out what this drug is supposed to do because I still get the soreness in the joints and the swelling, especially in the shoulders and hands. Some nights, it's hard to sleep unless I take something for the pain in both."

• Bee...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 27, 2016

For Lupus "I had been on Plaquenil for nearly 30 years for lupus. So long that I didn't remember any side effects. I saw my rheumatologist recently, and he said that he felt that I was in remission, so I decided to come off of it for a while. Within a week or so, I noticed that I had a new dimple in my cheek. Then, within the next week, the shape of my face changed, and the 'apple' cheeks that I had assumed for all these years were from lupus, disappeared. I have lost about 10 lbs since I went off a month ago and no longer have ringing in my ears or crippling vertigo. I do have a lot more pain and swelling, but I will never go back on this drug. I am so thankful that I chose to try to go without it."

• JC0...
• November 15, 2015

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Diagnosed with RA 3 years ago, was put on hydroxychloroquine 200mg 2x daily. After 4 months, nearly all my symptoms had gone! Then the hair loss started, and about a year from onset, I began to look like I had the mange; so, being a complete peacock, I took myself off of the medication. Not a good idea, 2 years of being symptom-free, and I had forgotten how badly RA sucks! Four months passed, and all of my symptoms returned, accompanied by a new symptom of chronic joint popping (and more discomfort and pain) in nearly every joint in my body! So, back to the hydroxychloroquine and hoping for the same relief acquired initially. I'm not ready to go Vin Diesel, so maybe I'll just invest in some baseball caps."

• Tor...
• October 6, 2018

For Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease "Hydroxychloroquine has been a miracle drug for me. I've been on it for 6 years. I first got sick in 2010. I struggled with strange, debilitating symptoms for 2 years before being put on Plaquenil by a rheumatologist. I had a high positive ANA (antinuclear antibody test), positive rheumatoid factor, and low complement levels. My symptoms were Raynaud's, extreme sensitivity to cold, all-over body pain (muscles, joints, skin, tendons, everything hurt), GERD, migraines with aura, heart palpitations, nausea and diarrhea, flu-like feelings, fatigue, dizziness and weakness, and tingling and numbness that would come and go. I was barely managing to function. I was put on Plaquenil finally when my rheumatologist looked at my nailfold capillaries-they were abnormal in a way that suggested connective tissue disease. Within 3-4 months, I started to feel better. I got better and better over the next 6 months. By the time I'd been on Plaquenil for a year, I felt almost normal again with only the occasional bad day."

• bat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 25, 2019

Hydroxychloroquine for Rheumatoid Arthritis "Been taking Plaquenil for RA for around 6 months. Then, about 3 weeks ago, started having muscular pain, not as bad as the joint pain I used to have but enough to be concerned. Muscle weakness, painful, as if I worked out for 2 hours. Praying it is a dosage problem."

• bat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 25, 2019

Hydroxychloroquine for Rheumatoid Arthritis "Been taking Plaquenil for RA for around 6 months. Then, about 3 weeks ago, started having muscular pain, not as bad as the joint pain I used to have but enough to be concerned. Muscle weakness, painful, as if I worked out for 2 hours. Praying it is a dosage problem."

• Tri...
• July 5, 2015

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was diagnosed with RA in 2014, put on Plaquenil in 10/2014. I delayed starting it out of fear. In March, when I finally saw an actual RA doctor and received answers that made sense and felt reassured, I started taking 200 mg 2 times a day. Took as prescribed for about 2 months, during which time, I began having the worst constipation! Severe enough where that pain was unbearable! I am a regular person when it comes to BMs, always 1 time a day, sometimes 2! But when I went to 3 days and no movement, just cramping and sitting on the toilet praying this would be the day I get relief. To top it off, I was not feeling any better with my RA. I had no relief from pain, aches, stiffness, numbing, fire, inflammation, it wasn't working."

• Anonymous
• November 12, 2010

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have been on hydroxychloroquine 200 mg for 4 weeks. I can't believe how good I feel. I have rheumatoid arthritis. The tired and aching joints and welts on my body have subsided. I feel like dancing. I still have a dull pain on top of my head. I have not felt this good in 2 years. Good thing."

• Ta2...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 29, 2017

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have been on Plaquenil for almost 3 years now. Along with RA, I also have fibromyalgia, lupus, and scleroderma. I tried methotrexate, and it made me very sick, so my RA doctor said to just take the Plaquenil. Since being on the med, I have a very hard time staying well. What I mean is I catch every virus, cold, and flu coming and going. I have now been sick since Thanksgiving and just recently was told that I have pneumonia. I thought that if I took myself off the Plaquenil, my immune system might somehow perk up and be better. Well, I have been off of the Plaquenil for almost 2 weeks now, and good Lord, was that a mistake. I had forgotten how bad I hurt before the Plaquenil... I am back on it now and have no plans to stop taking it again."

• Lon...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 6, 2021

For Sjogren's Syndrome "I've been on hydroxychloroquine for just over 10 weeks, for pain and stiffness related to Sjögren's, hEDS, and arthritis. For the first few weeks, I didn't notice anything and thought it wasn't going to do anything - then one day I suddenly realized I'd walked up the stairs from my local train station to the outside without having to stop and rest! There's only about 13 steps, but usually, I dread going up them, and would usually take a detour of almost 30 minutes to avoid them, but this time I just didn't think before heading up them. I've even managed to reduce/come off other medication because it's worked so well! Is it perfect? No - not only does it taste awful (whyyyy? *lol*), but I still get pain/stiffness in the morning, especially as we're going into the colder months. And I have to take my doses morning and lunchtime, as if I take it too late, I can't get to sleep (does anyone else get this?) But overall? Second most important medication I take (behind my ADHD meds)!"

• Sha...
• February 24, 2022

For Sjogren's Syndrome "Have had Sjögren's for years, did not take anything. Don't do well with medications. Went to Dr. today, agreed to 200 once a day hydroxychloroquine. Main problem: my legs were really painful, toes numb and tingling, joint pain, poor sleep, gastric issues, gas excessive. Dr. said he never heard of leg pain and toes numb and tingling. I am going to give the med a try. Hope I can tolerate it."

• RJD...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 1, 2017

For Dermatomyositis "The medication cleared the continued rash on my arms, however, the side effects were not worth it. My dermatologist prescribed this medication to be taken 2x daily, 200 mg. Initially, I had few side effects, however, after taking it for about 6 weeks, the problems began. I initially started having blurry vision and basically was night blind. Other side effects included hip and back pain and nervousness. I initially had no idea what was going on, but kind of a fluke, I decided to check the three prescriptions I was on to see adverse side effects. Wow, when I read the one for this medication, it was like I was describing my issues. I wish my doctor or the pharmacist would have warned me more about the side effects."