I am on prednisone and when in a flare get told to up it to 10mg. I have also had plaquenil added to my methotrexate which body has now adjusted to. I am supposed to be on the dose you have been given but still only take half. I had elevated kidney function results after I had been on the half dose and was taken off it. But they are trying again as so few drugs available to me via free state system here. It could have been caused by other things. Seem ok on the half dose.

I dont think you need worry about interactions. Do you have a really nice pharmacist near you? The one I use here is lovely and will look up drug/alternatives interactions for me without charge on a special programme pharmacists have. Safest to ask there if you can.

But I think you should be ok. I find with plaquenil an increase in bowel activity which is why I didnt take the full dose to start with but dont think this is common.

When I had the reaction I had been taking some mood modifying herbals (not St Johns wort) and they may have been part of the issue so I dont take them but do take various standard additions such as the folic, garlic, etc.)

I hope your dr is right. I think "good as new" is over promising but certainly a good drug regime will help massively. Good luck. (ps like the kitty picture!)

Watch the eyes. I have put up with "dry eyes" allergies whatever for at least 15 yrs prior to my diagnosis. I ended up with an ulcer on my cornea last Jan., damn near lost vision and no one could figure out why. Come to find out it goes with the territory.. I know my doc did a chest x-ray when I was diagnosed and I did let the ye doc know what was going on (she acknowledge it was probably RA related). I just started Methotrexate along with folic acid. Just started so I'm in a wait & see mode and hopeful. The predisone I believe is a steroid I'm on Medrol (steroid) but tapering off phase-it hels a lot with the pain & swelling for a while, but since this thing is degenerative I don't want to end up crippled so I am trying the "drugs" Again best of luck, Trish

I have been on Plaqenil for years. Just make certain you have frequent eye exams. How dies the doctor know you will be good as new.? Hope for your sake he is correct on that one. Good luck with everything. I would go with the garlic, but if you cannot find any literature I would call Rheumatologist.

my 2 cents worth.; I do not believe there is any interaction or problem with Plaquenil and garlic (or any other supplements) I don't think I heard of garlic for RA but it is good for many things and is healthy for heart etc........so may as well. but I do think it may thin the blood so if you may be on blood thinners or expecting surgery that is when you may need to stop.
my RA doc told me in 30 years he had 1 (or 2??) patients with eye problems from Plaquenil ; and it is a rare event.
dry eyes can be from RA or Sojourners anyway. (right?)
I recently switched from regular fish oil , to Krill oil, and I swear I have less pain & stiffness. waiting for the weather to turn to see if it is from that. my SIL does not have RA but has chronic pain and told me about the krill oil helping her. I got lucky and found some at .99 cent store (name brand; not expired) b/c that stuff can be pricey !

I realize now I totally messed up that word but don't know how to spell it. (the dry eye thing)

ThisToo - if spelling kounts, I am in big trble

I take a lot of vitamins, and am taking similar supplements. I don't take extra garlic though...
I was taking a lot of vitamins long before my dx. The supplements did not prevent my RA, but I do believe they help. I have taken all my supplements (in the bottles they came in) to all my docs. They look at the labels and have only asked me not to take one item. It contained licorice root and I was told it would raise my blood pressure. I am always told that I do not need to take all this stuff, I am wasting my money.

I am also told that I am wasting my money, but I take supplements anyway on the chance that they might do some good. Some doctors really don't know and (I think) don't want to know.

I never heard of taking garlic, but I do take fish oil, borage oil, evening primrose oil, turmeric, ginger, and bromelain (two 1500mg tablets a day).

(I also take Rx meds)