I've heard Plaquenil referred to as the "poor man's biologic." I would like to try it too. I think I will ask for it the next time I go in. I've heard stories about headaches at first, that supposedly go away once you get used to it. The only other thing I worry about with it is potential eye damage, but you can keep track of that with regular eye exams. Hope it helps you.

I tried Mtx and I didn't like the side effects and couldn't get used to it. I started Plaquenil over a year ago and immediately responded w/ less pain and more energy. I did have a few digestive type of problems but nothing that gas x wouldn't take care of and it went away after a few weeks.
I now take Arava w/ the Plaquenil. but I've had great success w/ Plaquenil.
Good luck.

Thanks for the help.
Jen, I do have insurance and go see my eye dr regularily, they just don't pay for Biologics after I've exausted my pharmaceutical limit of $5000.00. Enbrel used to pay half ant the ins paid the other half. The drug cost 4500.00 so thatkeaves ne with 2 month supply. I get samples whenever my Rheumy get some in. They usually call me and let me know. I know im going backwards with Plaquenil but I just needed something. MTX took 4 month to work but then my Liver Enzymes would shoot through the roof. I hope that this will help. So thanks for the advice, I will have my eyes checked since I just started and that will give her a baseline.
Bigi

This is encouraging news for me. My doctor just added Plaquenil to take along with my Enbrel. He said my CRP has been high the last 2 checkups. I'm supposed to take 200 mg a day (one pill). I'm holding off because I wanted to try taking the herb Zyflamend to see if it helps with inflammation. I heard about it from the Arthritis magazines. GNC or Healthfood stores carry it. I tried it before but did not take it long enough to see if it worked. I really don't want to add another medicine to the list. If the herbs don't work them I will try the Plaquenil

I also took zyflamend but it didn't help. It takes too long to get intention system and if you have a lot of pain it may be better to take something stronger. I took every natural supplement there is. I decided though to take the hard stuff to get relief. Hope it helps you, Huskey.

Bigi

Been on Plaquenil generic for 9 months and working very well for me.
Very "nice" drug compared to some of the others and budget friendly too. Up until now, very few side effects, however, now experiencing sudden and rapid hair loss. Hoping this subsides and I get to keep some of my hair as my RA is so mild my doctor doesn't want to put me on anything else.
My eye doctor said that although eye checkups are wise, 400 mg per day is a very low dose and eye damage is not likely to happen so I shouldn't be at all worried.

I was put on plaquenil and got very nausiated from it. waiting to find out what the next option is going to be. sounds like alot of people have success with it though. Side effects for plaquenil are less scary than others I think.