So sorry to hear about your dx. I started plaquenil 2 years ago and I've done very well. I also started Arava which has helped a great deal as well.
I do understand not wanting to take meds that require monitoring. I was very afraid of them as well and stayed away from them for 3 years... then i met several people that refused to take them... one is in a wheelchair and has had RA for only 10 years. She still won't take RA meds. That's her choice but it made me think twice.
A good friend of mine husband has refused them as well...he can't even comb his own hair bc he is SO crippled. He cannot button his own clothes. That is what terrified me... and his wife is tied to taking care of him.
Organs are affected even without the meds. RA is systemic and not just joints are under fire. Meds can slow the deterioration caused by RA a great deal. I'm now more afraid of not taking anti disease progression drugs. But it took me a while to come to peace about that.
I do feel like I'm at the doctors office ever time i turn around, but now after getting on plaquenil and arava i feel better than i have in 6 years.
I wish the best to you and congratulations on your precious baby.

Sunvalleygal, thanks for your insights. I think that is something we all have faced and your decision path is eye opening.

mineral so sorry you had to join us. I can't help about the Plaquenil because it didn't work for me even after three months. I wish you the best. 6 month Olds are sooooooo cute. All those go-go mutterings and smiles and peek-a-boos!

I hate auto-correct, Minrenae and goo-goo smiles!

Plaquenil was my first drug for RA. I was on it about 2 weeks I believe and started to feel really great. No pain and I had plenty of energy. Then, about a month to six weeks in, I started to get a really bad rash. My skin would turn red in spots, and then start to crack open. I had to get off the palquenil.

Now I'm on MTX, and it doesn't work near as well as the Plaquenil did. Hopefully you will do good on it. It just may take the full 3 months or even longer to start feeling it. Everyone reacts differently.

I just added plaquenil to my mix recently. I am however a few weeks behind you and also waiting to see if it's gonna help. My rheumy said it's mild compared to the mtx I also take. They say long term it can cause eye/vision problems so keep those eyes checked on a regular basis. I haven't noticed any any negative side effects so far. You are getting to the point now where you might start seeing some improvement soon. Good luck with your treatment and I hope you get great relief from the plaquenil. Best wishes.

I, too, was diagnosed after my first was born and very hesitant to take the meds. I got diagnosed when my son was about 8 months old, and so did only prednisone and had my second son the year after. My dr was adamant about me getting on something when my youngest was around 6 months old, and I went to Humira because we were unsure if we'd have more kids or not, and I wouldn't take methotrexate for that reason. I was on that for years and felt great - but when it failed, plaquenil was another that I tried. I found it minimally helpful, and had major hair loss from it, so decided at that point to abandon ship and try something else. Funny thing is, I don't think hair loss is a very common side effect of that medication compared to many of the others. Just lucky I guess - lol! Best of luck to you in finding something that works and hang in there. Love on that baby - the time goes very fast as mine are 11 & 9 now!

Plaquenil was the first med I was on right after diagnosis. I was on it for about 2 years and I can say it worked so-so for me. All during that time, I was getting my eyes checked. This is a must for you to do. After that time, I was told that they could see some deterioration in my eyes and I stopped taking plaquenil immediately. So please, get your eyes checked on a regular basis. You want to see that little one grow up. I am now on Orencia by infusion every 4 weeks and sometimes it works great and other times, not so great. Best of luck to you and your family.
Wendy

Plaquenil was the first medication my doctor put me on after the RA diagnosis. It took the full 3 months for me to see any effects, but I eventually did. That was short-lived, and they started me on methotrexate with the Plaquenil. I have done very well on this combo. I take a low dose of methotrexate, and I can certainly feel the difference when I have to stop taking it due to an infection or a procedure.

I have been very fortunate with this combination with few side effects. Perhaps, that is due to the lower dose. I have had to go on Prednisone tapers from time to time with flares. Be sure to keep your eye exams and monitor the vision issue. Give these meds some time. I have found that nothing happens for me quickly in rheumatology.

Good luck!

I have just gotten back on the mtx after yet another bought with pneumonia,but this time the dr added plaquenil. We will see how this goes.

Hi Minrenae, I've never been on Plaquinil, but if I am ever refused the biologics, I will certainly try it. It is considered the "poor man's biologic." You do want to get your eyes checked on a regular basis. It can cause issues with the eyes in some people.

Just like any drug (any) you need to monitor body organs for possible damage. I would not refuse a good drug just because it requires being monitored. I have had fabulous results with both Humira and Enbrel, both of which are relatively safe (virtually no side effects). As far as having kids goes, you would have to ask your doc about that.

Never compare your results to that of others. It is meaningless, from what I can tell. If you are willing to wait 2-3 months to see if a drug works, then more power to you. Three months is the longest I've given any drug, and I regretted waiting that long.

If you are afraid of kidney failure, stay the heck away from Methotrexate. I know we are all different, but that drug threw me into kidney failure for about three years.

I'm also on my second month of Plaquenil and so far the only improvement I've noticed is a little less fatigue and no more huge sharp stabbing pains. (The ones that make you freeze or drop things etc). But I'm still have pain and swelling in my feet, fingers and wrists. My little one is 18months old now and I've been advices to hold off trying to have anyone child for the next while because I need to have some MRIs. If I need a change in medication (which I suspect because I'm not convinced this Plaquenil is working) I'll be avoiding methotrexate and asking for something else. Hang in here!

I have been on plaquenil for almost four years diagnosed in 2011. Did take three months to work. Took away all my stiffness which was my biggest issue. I was stiff till noon. Had hair loss in the beginning. Some rashes and yeast infections once a year. Broke out in hives in 2014. Also have to take prescription Prilosec, but I will take all that over being on MTX. My eyes have been fine. I think you need to give it a shot. My RA lately no problems since it's getting warm

Plaquenil started working for me almost immediately. My hands hurt so much I was unable to knit. After a few days, miraculously the pain stopped. I am very lucky. I hope it works as well for you sooner rather than later.

I was diagnosed in 2/13, at age 67, and was given Plaquenil. It helped a little but then i got worse. I changed docs. The second prescribed methotrexate, which made a huge difference. I cut back on the Plaquenil and may wean off it. Ive been in remission for over a year.

I have a combo of RA & colitis with reactive arthritis. for the past two years I've been on plaquenil and sulfasalazine. They work for me. Flare ups are now 4 or 5 days instead of 4 weeks.

I just started getting a thrush again though. I haven't felt severe dry mouth like I used to. So I'm not sure why suddenly this is happening. It happened once before While on vacation no less.

I go to the ophthalmologist every 6 mos for extensive testing. 2 yrs and so far so good with the eyes.

No liver enzymes have shown up yet. And I DO have an ofc glass of wine or two.

Good luck!