Sjogren's Syndrome Support Group
Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune disorder in which immune cells attack and destroy the exocrine glands that produce tears and saliva. It also associated with rheumatic disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, and it is rheumatoid factor positive in 90 percent of cases.
Hello everyone! I have posted here once before but mostly I'm a lurker. Lol. Anyway, I just got my official diagnosis that I have Sjorgrens Syndrome. I just had my first appointment with a new Rheumatologist. She is wonderful. She mentioned that Plaquenil can cause brown blotchy spots on skin. I've been on Plaquenil 4 months and I have noticed some brown spots on my face. I had no idea what they were and was going to see a Dermatologist. I still might. I have very fair skin, so these spots are difficult to hide. Has anyone else had this problem? She told me to cut the Plaquenil dose in half and see if that makes a difference. I started the reduced dose Wednesday and I feel worse. I'm so much more exhausted, my body hurts, memory and concentration is worse. I don't know if the reduced dose would effect me that quickly. It could just be a flare. I'm going to give it a little longer to see if it's just a flare.
Mary
Mary
As for lowering your dosage I highly recommend that every so often just ween yourself off it for a week then back on it to fake out your body otherwise it loses its effectiveness. Also taking more is not an answer. Seems doctors always want to make you take more.
I am at 200mgs a day sometimes I skip days. I used to take two a day then one every other day.....always switch it up.
Confuse your body ......this works....my pharamacist told me go off every third month for a month. That seemed drastic knowing my eye doctor is looking at me every six months. I never take 400mgs....daily.
I just don't feel any different on one a day.....my blood work is the same. Why chance a side effect.
There are good websites that list side effects and some list all side effects. Most of them are rare.
Sjogrens causes dry skin and it can get blotchy. Sun does odd things to out skin. Severe sun burn being one.
Skin rashes and pigment change. Atabrine, specifically, can cause yellow pigmentation of skin. Sometimes Plaquenil can also deposit in the tissues of the body and cause the skin to take on a greenish tone.
Dry skin
Loss of appetite
Abdominal bloating
Upset stomach
Stomach cramps
Retinal damage There is a small chance that retinal damage will occur while taking hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) or chloroquine (Aralen). For this reason, you should see your ophthalmologist at least once per year so that she/he may check for retinal deposits. Retinal damage caused by hydroxychloroquine is generally reversible, but damage caused by chloroquine may not be. More information on this effect can be found above.
Less common side effects: Headaches
Muscle aches
Weakness
Nervousness, irritability, dizziness (although these effects are uncommon)
Major neurological side effects: confusion, seizures These are quite rare, but if you experience them, alert your doctor immediately.
Exacerbation of psoriasis If you have psoriasis, Plaquenil may make your condition worse. Talk to your doctor if you have this condition.
I don't see brown ......but I'm guessing anything is possible. YES, it causes several skin conditions but brown spots are sun related. I know my whole family gets them none of them are on plaquenil.
I seem to be the exception to every rule...unfortunatly I have strange reactions to everything!