Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

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Plaquenil or flare ups?

oceans11
oceans11
I was prescribed Plaquenil about a year ago as the standard MTX + DMARD.

When on it I noticed I was extremely sensitive to sunlight getting burned easily & that's hard for me being that I'm not fair complected, I just don't tend to burn even when going to the beach or the river.

Also, I had major skin rashes, itching while on it as well. In the end I wasn't sure it was really helping but can't say it didn't either.

lately I've noticed a flare up that's been hanging around for the past 3 weeks. I stopped going to the gym about 2 weeks ago because I don't want to further damage any of my joints just in case. But I want to get back into it.

Would any of you OR do any of you use your DMARDS for flareups? Can they work in a "pinch" to reduce symptoms?

I've just been using Aleve every once in a while but I don't like taking it.
2leftfeet
2leftfeet
The only time I do not take mtx is if I am sick-running a temperature - or, when I was going to have surgery, I was suppose to be off the mtx.

I use Celebrex when I am having a flare. But, luckily, the biological I am on does a good job of keeping those to a minimum.
oceans11
oceans11
Well unless it's a slow acting med it doesn't seem to be making much of a difference so I probably won't take it tomorrow and just wait for Sunday to increase my MTX to 2 pills.
MarleneJ
MarleneJ
Plaquenil simply doesn't work as a back up to reduce flares.

It can take from 6 months to a year to work. So that flare you took it for last March, the Plaquenil might be working now. It needs to create a "steady state" and that means that adding extra won't work.

If I have a bad flare, I use additional pain killers or sometimes a bit more prednisone. But my personal opinion is that if you are having flares, then your meds are not working properly, .(Or not enough!)

Since you are only on mthx, you need to go talk to your rheumatologist about adding a biologic. When things start to interfere with being able to exercise, it is time to take some action!
Christine26
Christine26
I have been on almost every DMard and almost every biologic under the sun. Right now I am on Acterma and Arava and pain meds Nucenta ER twice daily and Oxycodone 15mg every 4 hours. I was on plaquenil for two years with Orencia. My Rheumatologist feels certain Dmards and biologics work better together. When I have a flare which is few and far between thank goodness I have to stop what I am doing take pain meds and rest in bed to prevent the fare from becoming full blown. I also try to keep a calm and cool demeanor as I find that getting upset causes a flare to come on. As Marlene J mention with a bad flare pain meds are in order. But not certain if you are not keen on taking Aleve if you would be amenable to taking narcotics. Or if you are concerned regarding Aleve and your liver. But all of these meds are excreted through the liver in one way or another so LFT's should be done on a regular basis. Hope you are feeling better soon. Oceans11, How do you feel with the increase in MTX? Keep us posted.
dd24
dd24
While on Plaquenil, sun sensitivity is normal for some people. I can't say about the skin rashes or itching...but sounds like it could be.

I take 200 mg 3 times daily and haven't noticed any problems. Worked great for 2 years.
nonightshades
nonightshades
I think sun protection is another adjustment for you oceans. I had to make it. Wide brim hat, sleeves and shorts to the knees. Don't like it but a sun burn hurts like heck now. I spend a good bit of time in the yard and on the river.

This past summer went to the beach for the first time since the gulf oil spill. First day, sitting under the umbrella except for getting in the water to cool off (yes, applied sunscreen and drank no alcohol) and that night my stomach and chest were dang near blistered. The reflection off the water onto me sitting in the chair under the umbrella. Grrrrrrr
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