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Date: 29.04.2011
From: Mark Brazier

Subject: Hello, I have a question......

Hi, my names Mark and I'm 49 and have been diagnosed with RA. I am new to this site and have a quick question. I started a course of Plaquenil about 3 weeks ago. Can anyone advise me on how long it takes to work? Since I started this treatment things seem to have got worse in my knees and elbows... has this happened to anyone else? Is this normal?
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Date: 29.04.2011
From: Gaynor

Subject: Re: Hello, I have a question......

Hi Mark. Welcome to you. I haven't tried Plaquenil yet as I'm still in the early stages of guesswork and diagnosis. But I know there's some great people on here who will probably have been on this medication. Good luck to you. I'm 49 too. It takes a lot of getting your head around it huh?
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Date: 29.04.2011
From: Teresa

Subject: Re: Hello, I have a question......

Hi mark, I was taking plaquenil for PA. I took it for 6 months and noticed no difference at all.
I was told though it can take up to 12 weeks to take effect if its going to work.
I hope it works for you :)
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Date: 29.04.2011
From: Patricia

Subject: Re: Hello, I have a question......

Hi Mark, I have been on Hydroxychloroquine (also called plaquenil or Quinoric (which is what I am given) for about three months now. I would say it has only started to take effect in the last month. I have managed to get down from 30mg of prednisolone (steroids) to 10mg so the Hydroxy must be doing something. My rheumatologist has said it can take six months. It is a long time to wait when we are in such pain isn't it?? I believe this drug is one of the mildest and as my rheumy said it has to 'dampen down the burn' first. RA can be very fast acting - mine went from being quite mild to going completely haywire and has affected every joint in my body. Perhaps the pain/stiffness in your knees and elbows getting worse is a coincidence? It is worth hanging in there to see if it does work for you. Certainly after three weeks I didn't notice any difference at all but I definitely feel a difference now although I still have a long way to go to feel completely better. Do you have enough pain medication to help you? I take Oramorph twice a day to help. Take good care. it isn't easy being diagnosed with this...x
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Date: 30.04.2011
From: Paula

Subject: Re: Hello, I have a question......

Hello Mark

Sorry to read that you have just been diagnosed with RA, I've had it for three years now and I am still trying to accept it.

It does take time for the drugs to start to work, we just have to wait for them to do the magic. The drug that you have been given is not a pain killer, it is to try to slow down the progression of the disease, have you been given any pain relief at all? Over the counter pain relief is normally not sufficient for RA and you may need something stronger from your GP.

Have you got a specialist nurse at your hospital? if you have, give them a ring and see if you can have a steroid injection to tide you over.

It may take sometime before the right dose/combination of drugs are found for you. Everyone is different, I am afraid it's not a case of one pill suits all, but you will get there.

Paula
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Date: 30.04.2011
From: Mark

Subject: Re: Hello, I have a question......

Thank you for all your responses. It is refreshing to know that it will ease in time. It's alot to get my head around but again, I appreciate your taking the time to give your advice. Thank you :)
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Date: 30.04.2011
From: Gillian

Subject: Re: Hello, I have a question......

Hello Mark. I too started on these tablets three weeks ago. I also had a slow release steroid injection a week before I started the tablets. I saw consultant four weeks ago and advised delaying starting the tablets for a week as I was due to go abroad on holiday. I had a steroid slow release injection that day tho and that has been my saviour. I take 200mg one day and alternate days take 400mg. I was told it could take up to 12 weeks to start to work but the steroid injection would give me relief in the meantime. I have only just been diagnosed with seronegative RA after having increasing stiffness and pain for 2 years now. Gillian
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Date: 02.05.2011
From: Mark

Subject: Re: Hello, I have a question......

Thanks Gillian
To be honest, I am a bit scared of having the injection as I've heard it's very painful :/
I am currently on 100 mg Plaquenil so maybe I should get it upped. I am also gonna ask for some stronger painkillers :)
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Date: 02.05.2011
From: Patricia

Subject: Re: Hello, I have a question......

Hi again Mark. I take 200mg Plaquenil (mine is called Quinoric) twice a day so hopefully your Consultant will be able to up it for you.
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Date: 03.05.2011
From: Gillian

Subject: Re: Hello, I have a question......

Hi again Mark. The steroid injection was painless, honestly!! It was a very fine needle and in the upper quarter of my butt!! I have heard that steroid injections directly into specific joints is painful and I am not sure I would relish one of those but the slow release injection has been brilliant. Trust me, honest opinion. Gillian
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Date: 04.05.2011
From: sarah

Subject: Re: Hello, I have a question......

hi mark,im new here too.ive been on plaquenil for 4 weeks now,2x 200mg tablets a day.i havnt noticed any difference,as yet.the rheumy did say it will take 12 weeks.i have noticed my joints are more painful,but i dont think its the tablets,i feel it is the arthritis getting worse.i am going to see my own gp tommorrow and i am going to ask for stronger painkillers.:)
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Date: 04.05.2011
From: Gaynor

Subject: Re: Hello, I have a question......

Hi Mark. I've heard that the steroid injection into the joint is painful ... BUT not as painful as the pain you've been enduring. It's over in a very short time and after that the difference in the joint can be quite remarkable.
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Date: 04.05.2011
From: Francesca

Subject: Re: Hello, I have a question......

Hi Mark
I took Plaquenil for 3 months and then it ws stopped because it didn't help at all. Then I took Hydroxychloroquine for 3 months but when they increased it to a therapeutic dose I got side effects and had to come off it. My advice would be to recognises PA is a life long condition and if the drugs don't work there is always something else to try so tell your consultant so he can prescribe something else. I have read that the effect of DMARDs in general for PsA is pretty limited. I am hoping to be able to take a biological as some people have found that it has made a massive difference to their lives. We are all different though.
Good luck
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Date: 04.05.2011
From: Francesca

Subject: Re: Hello, I have a question......

Sorry meant to say Plaquenil/Hydroxychloroquine followed by Sulfasalazine! Its been a long day, LOL
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Date: 04.05.2011
From: Paula

Subject: Re: Hello, I have a question......

I had a steroid injection in my bottom and it didn't hurt at all, honest, over and done in seconds. Like Gaynor said, I have heard that one directly into the joint can be painful, so if someones told you it hurts then that will be what they are referring to.

Paula
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Date: 30.05.2011
From: Mark

Subject: Re: Hello, I have a question......

Thank you all so much. Have had a steroid injection now and all was fine :)
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Date: 30.05.2011
From: Lee

Subject: Re: Hello, I have a question......

yeah the steriod one in the upper arse cheek doesnt hurt and doesnt need any anesthetic etc.

You do get a wierd feeling as the liquid enters the body and the the nurse massages the area. There is a slight bit of psin when you sit after cpl hours but its nothing.

Like everyone said into specific areas and joints are the most painfull. Ive had 2 in my knee. One directly through my kneecap which after the anesthetic wore off was really painful and one into the side of muscle in knee with no anesthetic or pain.

You will be fine and no pain with the injection
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