I can't answer all of your questions but I can tell you that fatigue greatly improved with only taking the Plaquenil for about a week. Other things have been improving with time like the morning stiffness, and when I do get a flare they aren't as bad or last as long.

Actually plaquenil takes like 4 weeks to even work. At least that is what my doc told me, they could have just been making that up.

My doctor told me since plaquenil is a slow working medicine, it takes 4-12 weeks to really being working. I don't know if it helps to prevent the deterioration of you kidneys or lungs as affected by SLE, but I hope it does!

I agree with tinab07. I am taking my plaquenil will be a month this coming 17th. I will wait till 2 months to see the full result. Same what my doc. said that taking plaquenil is to protect for happening when I will be 40's or 50's...he said we are preventing you for damage in the future....yap, thats the right word to describe prevent deterioration......take care always....hope this give a little enlighten of your question...God bless....lups

When I was first diagnosed with SLE two years ago I had protein in my urine which is a sign of kidney failure/damage. After taking 400mg/day of Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) for a few weeks, my symptoms were less severe, but didnt completely go away of course. My next blood tests showed no protein in my urine, so my kidneys are no longer affected. Looks like Plaquenil did something all right. Now I'm only taking 200mg a day.

Hi, I have been on it for almost 2 months--it has really helped with the fatigue and all the other symptoms. I am encouraged by what ElisaW said on the protein. I really don't care if it is a bandaid, I will take all the help I can get.

as I understand it Plaquenil (P) is a disease alterning drug, which is different from the so-called band-aid drugs. This one helps alter the disease, change it or slow it way down. I'm on it and I haven't had any side effects. I'm also on methotrexate which is in the same category but has lots more toxic side effects, but the only thing I've experienced is stomach upset in the beginning.
I think P works so much better if you take one tab in the evening with food and one in the morning also with food.
I'm not sure if I'm in remission or if the meds are just working so well, but I feel about 80% better now.

I have been on plaquenil for 2 weeks and already feel much better. I was told by my doctor it is to relieve the pain associated wiht Lupus by prevening your body to attack the cells using your own anti-bodies. I can certainly see how decreasing the anti-bodies from attacking your cells would make you feel better and less fatingued. I also take Provigil for the fatigue which has made a lot of difference in how I feel. I can tell when I forget and not take the Provigil. Hugs, Char

I have been on plaquinil for 2 years. It has really helped with all symtpoms and flares, and yes, it does take quite a while to take effect (sometimes over a month!). You will REALLY notice a difference in joint pain. Make sure you get your eyes checked every 6 months, though - it's really important.