Arthritis Forum
Home.

News.

Personal Stories. Links. Message Board.  
Arthritis Forum  
Add your comments to this topic Start a new topic
Date: 21.03.2013
From: Jo

Subject: New member

Hi everyone, my name is Jo and I've just joined this forum. I'm 45 years old and was diagnosed with RA about 18 months ago. I've been on Methotrexate for 15 months now (I'm on 25mg p/w) which has helped a lot, but my consultant said yesterday he would like me to start taking Hydroxychloroquine as well, because the RA was still 'too active'. I would really appreciate it if others who are on this could warn me of what side-effects to expect. I find genuine experiences are always a lot truer than the lists on the leaflets. Thanks very much. Jo :-)
reply | back to forum

Date: 21.03.2013
From: Tara

Subject: Re: New member

Hi Jo
Well come the forum ,
A year ago I too was diagnosed with ra and like you I am on 25 mg of mtx but not the other one you mentioned so not too much help there but I'm sure some one else will jump in and give you some feed back
I am 41 and was very shocked with the diagnosis but I am coming to terms with it now I was very active running my home and looking after my little ones still doing it lol but just slower I get very frustrated at times but I just try to be positive and look forward
Well I just wanted to say hello
Keep posting hun :-)
Tara
reply | back to forum

Date: 21.03.2013
From: bsk

Subject: Re: New member

Hi Jo, I've got RA too, diagnosed 3 years ago. I take enbrel - an anti tnf enbrel as Mtx and hydroxy didn't work for me. I was told the latter has the least side effects of any of the drugs but do remember getting headaches on it and a rash, which made them stop it.

They might be putting you on hydroxy with a view to moving you onto next level of drugs as you have to have tried two dmards before you can do that.
reply | back to forum

Date: 21.03.2013
From: rhona

Subject: Re: New member

Hi Jo,

I take hydroxychlorquine (plaquenil) and have had no problems at all with it. I found it very effective. I have been on it for around 6 or 7 years. I also take mtx, sulphasalazine and now the infusion rituximab. When i first started hyroxychloroquine i felt it made a huge difference. You have to get your eyes checked once a year while on it but it is quite rare to get problems with the drug. When i first started it i was a smoker and i did notice i would feel sick when i took a cigarette after having the hydrox. so i managed to give up smoking without any bother and i can thank the hydrox for that. As bsk says it is one of the safer arthritis drugs so i would give it a go.
reply | back to forum

Date: 21.03.2013
From: Jo

Subject: Re: New member

Hi all - nice to 'meet' you. Thanks so much for your comments and info. I will definately be giving the hydroxy a go. I go for my 'counseling' appointment next Tuesday, so I'll probably be given the prescription then.

My RA is not bad at the min, but I have had a few flare-ups since Xmas so anything that will help reduce them has got to be worth a try! I will keep watch for the headaches and rash. I did get a bit of a rash with the mtx, but it cleared after a couple of months.

Thanks again all. I hope to speak again soon.
reply | back to forum

Date: 21.03.2013
From: Heather

Subject: Re: New member

Hi Jo
I was diagnosed with RA when I was 28. I'm 35 now and have been on hydroxychloaquine for the past 5 years. It's been good and I had no side effects from it (get my eyes checked every year), unlike when they tried me on sulphasalazine which turned me into a Tango Man!
It seems to have kept things at bay until recently so we're now exploring the next treatment options. Definitely worth a go, I'd say!
Good luck.
reply | back to forum

 

Add your comments to this topic
Subject:
Please type your comment here:

Your name:
email:

3+3=
(This sum is to help prevent automatic spamming through this page - thank-you)


top

Site design: T - Creative Home | News | Personal Stories | Links | Message Board