Fibromyalgia Support Group

Never used it but I know a few things about it. It is a malaria drug, it is not indicated for the treatment of FM but is used in RA and Lupus. This may be why it was prescribed- some believe that FM is in the same family of disorders. There are a lot of warnings, etc, associated with it. I would sit down with a full print out of the uses, indications, side effects, etc with your doctor and discuss whether it is a good decision for you to try it.

I have FM too. Last year after routine blood work my rheumy said that I have Shogren's/Lupus cross over. She put me on hydroxycloroquine. Said to be aware that it has a side effect of upsetting the stomach and if I had problems to make sure I eat something first before taking it and that the side effect would go away. I had no problems with my stomach taking it.

She also said that it takes 2-3 months to build up in your system and that it may that that much time to see if it would be effective.

Another side effect deals wtih vison problems and if my vison became affected, that I would be taken off. I see the eye doctor every 6 months, told him about taking the drug and so far nothing has been wrong with my vision.

The pros - It seems to have helped my pain and fatigue. My pain on average is about 70% better than it had been. My fatigue still plagues me but it is better than it was. I used to be sooooo tired that I fell asleep for days, felt like I was slipping into a coma. I don't sleep for days on end any more now; but, there are days that I can still sleep 12-15 hours before I am rested. So yes, the drug has helped me alot. Another plus was that I was taken off of cymbalta and lyrica and now my mind doesn't feel so foggy.

Hi NikkiA, I just started taking this yesterday....200 mgs once a day but it is combined with Zithromax. My doc is still not sure that it's just plain-old Fibro. I've had SIX tick bites (all ticks were tested and carried Lyme) so he thinks that a lot of my issues are from undiagnosed chronic Lyme. He said if I have a Herx reaction, that would be a good thing since that will prove that little spirochetes are dying off!

I'll let you know how I'm doing on it. Please do the same for me and I would love to be added as a friend so we can update each other or at least see if the other is experiencing the same thing.

Hugs,
Shantiann

Yes, I take it. I've been on it along time, about3 yrs or so.

Yes, it's antimalarial.

I don't have any side effects from it. I do know that yes, you have to have your eyes checked -I never had tho.... ;-/

Thank you so much for your replies and advice. The side affects seem to be much less then some of the drugs I have previously been given, sad I know but I am rather excited about trying this drug out although I am also worried that it doesn't work as we have tried so many treatments already and 3 months is a long time to not feel great if it doesn't work. Enough of the negative, it might be just what i need. Thank you again x x

I'm supposed to start it but am afraid to. The side of effects scare me. What do you think? I have been diagnosed with Sjogren's and CFS. Who know what else. Also have a positive RA. What is the real benefit of this drug? Confused.

The real benefit that I can see is:
1. No longer suffer from the "EXTREME" fatigue anymore
2. Pain - my average pain level is about 70% better than before taking the medicine
3. I am taking this 'one' medicine, no longer have to take cymbalta, lyrica, and flexeril.
4. Cost is much more affordable
5. Have been on this for almost a year now and have suffered no side effects.

Hi Everybody,

A lot of us having co-morbid conditions, that is, existing alongside fibromyalgia. I have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, and Lyme disease.

I have been taking Plaquenil for a couple of years, and it was initially prescribed as a "cystbuster" in combination with an oral antibiotic to treat late-stage Lyme disease.

As an added benefit, it also seems to work nicely in reducing my back pain (OA). My pharmacist said that it helps to protect the joints, and reduces swelling.

I stupidly went off Plaquenil when I was on an "antibiotic break" which resulted in increased back pain. At the time, I wasn't convinced that it helped my back pain; however, now I know how much it does.

Hi Shantiann: I was dx'd with fibromyalgia in 2000. As my health continued to worsen over the years, both my doctor and I suspected something else was going on besides fibromyalgia. I was finally diagnosed with both babesiosis and Lyme disease in January 2008.

There is a great deal of symptom overlap with Lyme, fibromyalgia, CFS, and many other conditions. In my case, I seemed to pick up additional diagnoses along the way (Essential Tremor, GERD, insomnia, etc.).

When my long-term significant right hand tremor disappeared after long-term oral antibiotics, I became further convinced that I am also battling Lyme disease.

Take good care, Everybody!

~spaztick

I Just started this med this week I hope it will help me. I have so many side effect to meds I hope this works for my Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Plaquinal is one of the safest drugs for autoimmune diseases such as sjogrns RA and many others. It is very rare to have eye probles but as a precaution you need a base line eye test before starting it and get eyes checked every six months. Take it with food to avoid tummy problems. hugs Marilyn