newbie ?
Question:
Hi Bruce, I too was on high doses of nsaids and they did nothing but give me stomach problems. I’m on HYDROCHLORIQUIN (plaquinil) now. I haven’t had any side effects form it so far and when I asked my eye doctor about problems he said CHLORIQUIN was the drug that caused problems. NOT HYDROCHLORIQUIN. I’m not familiar with PA I have RA but I hope this helps. Erin
Response:
Hi Bruce, In case no one has beat me to it, welcome to the sandbox! My arthritis is more RA than PA, but I’ve been on Plaquenil since Dec ‘96. It worked well for me the first year with no side effects, but seems to be losing its umpf. Make yourself at home and keep posting! Barbara Joy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > My rheumatologist and I are not impressed with the results of high doses > of nsaids in treating my PA. As a result she wants to put me on disease > modifying medication. Because of another disease and the meds i take > for it the only one she is comfortable using at this point is > chloriquin. Has anyone taken this durg? Success/side effects? > Thanks Bruce
Response:
Bruce, You should be aware of the fact that anti-malarials normally are contraindicated in psoriatic arthritis. The reason is that it may cause a big flare-up of psoriasis on the skin. I am however aware that some rheumatologists today chooses to take a calculated risk. If a flare-up occurs, they’ll discontinue the drug and treat the skin. Since Plaquenil is a "nice DMARD", that might be a good idea. I only know that I would not take the risk myself, with a history of severe skin psoriasis… Just thought you should be aware of the risk you are taking. > My rheumatologist and I are not impressed with the results of high doses > of nsaids in treating my PA. As a result she wants to put me on disease > modifying medication. Because of another disease and the meds i take > for it the only one she is comfortable using at this point is > chloriquin. Has anyone taken this durg? Success/side effects? > Thanks Bruce
– Best regards / Med vennlig hilsen, Aase Marit 
)))))) ("Aw-Se-Mareet" from Norway) http://w1.2380.telia.com/~u238000263/flaker/docs/index.html
Response:
My rheumatologist and I are not impressed with the results of high doses of nsaids in treating my PA. As a result she wants to put me on disease modifying medication. Because of another disease and the meds i take for it the only one she is comfortable using at this point is chloriquin. Has anyone taken this durg? Success/side effects? Thanks Bruce
Response:
RE: PA Is the med you mentioned the same as Plaquenil – the anti-malarial. If it is it did not work for me – perhaps if you went to a major hospital you would find a doc who is more comfortable with all the new meds – I don’t know- I do know how frustrating it can be for you at this point – I have been there. I ended up going to NYC – an hour and twenty from my house each way- it is worth it however, since I have a doc who is supremo in rheumatology. I only need to go once a month if I am lucky. Good luck, Michelle ps – consider joining our new mailing list for PA on onelist – I am moderating and so far we are small – only 14 members, Sending healing thoughts your way- and God Bless You, Michelle aka CTNATIVE Vaya Con Dios
Response:
Bruce: If you’re referring to hydroxychloroquine (or Plaquenil), I’ve been taking that since January, ‘96. It has worked for me as far as decreasing the intensity of the pain I was having. I have had no side effects. You do have to see an opthamologist every 6 months & have a visual field test every year, as there is a possible side effect of developing pigmentation on your retina. I started on a dose of 200 mg twice a day for the first year, then my doc decreased it to 200 mg once a day. I have had no problems with my eyes & the eye doc said at that dose there should be no problem, but they do need to keep tabs on things. If you have any other questions, let me know. I’ll do my best to help. Good luck… Marie
Response:
Hi Bruce, I guess I’m surprised about the choice of chlorquine (or its derivation hydroxychloroquine) in PA. There are other disease modifying agents with a much better track record for PA. Sulfasalazine appears to be helpful in PA, particularly in patients with more symmetric polyarthritis. Methotrexate is effective for both the arthritis of PA and the skin disease. There are relatively small uncontrolled trials of other agents including cyclosporin, gold, azathioprine, calcitriol and etretinate as well as antimalarials. Dr Chiu, who posts from New Zealand, has claimed success with minocycline but there are no published trials with this yet. It sounds that your doc is right in wanting to add a DMARD to your NSAIDs. I suggest you ask her what criteria she is using to recommend chloroquine. Hope this is helpful. Dr Susan On > My rheumatologist and I are not impressed with the results of high doses > of nsaids in treating my PA. As a result she wants to put me on disease > modifying medication. Because of another disease and the meds i take > for it the only one she is comfortable using at this point is > chloriquin. Has anyone taken this durg? Success/side effects? > Thanks Bruce
Susan Hoch
Response:
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