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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/5/2009
Posts: 7
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 Sorry to start another thread so soon after the last one. I've been on methrotrexate and sulfasalazine for the last 18 months with hardly any problems. At the beginning of February I had hydroxychoroquine added, 400 mg a day from the start. I'm quite a big lady so I guess that was about right! Anyrate over the past week I've had a headache, am beginning to feel really nauseous and now have a blotchy rash on my face. Has anyone out there had similar symptoms, is it an allergy or something completely different that will go away? I know you're not doctors but if anyone has had similar symptoms I would be really pleased!! and grateful to know. Jenniet
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 242
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hi Jenniet I am having similar problems with hydroxychoroquine too. I started taking the 400mg dose in February and it gave me horrendous headaches, really sensitive eyes, and feeling so sick so I was advised to drop the dose to 200mg a day. I have been much better the past couple of weeks until this weekend, I have had the headaches and nausea back. I haven't had the rash but I believe you can get skin rashes on this drug. Do you have a Rheumatology nurse you can ring and ask their advice? Wishing you all the best and hope you can find a dose where you don't get side effects. Best wishes Rebecca
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,582 Location: Oxfordshire
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Dear Jenniet,
I have been on the same med combination and I would say this *could* be a reaction to the 400mg of Plaquenil, yes, BUT I would definitely check with the rheumy or the Dr.
Plaquenil can give headaches and definitely sensitive eyes.
What side effects can Plaquenil cause?
Although side effects from Plaquenil are not common, they can occur.Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
headache
dizziness
loss of appetite
upset stomach
diarrhea
stomach pain
vomiting
skin rash
It is the first listed side effect.
Love,
Amanda
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,081
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Hi Jenniet
I'm on Hydroxy and don't have any probs. I agree with Rebecca that it would be a good idea to ring your rheumy nurse tomorrow. Take care.
Julie
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/7/2010 Posts: 441 Location: Bristol
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Hi Jenniet,
I also take 400mg of Hydroxy together with 25mg of MTX and Rituximab. The Hydroxy was added in November and I also noticed rashes on my face. I hadn't put the two together until you've mentioned it now. I'll definitely be mentioning it to my rheummy when I see him next.
I get blurred vision quite often as a result of the Hydroxy and am going to see the optometrist in the next few weeks about it.
Hope the side effects start to die down and you get some relief!
Joanna
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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/5/2009
Posts: 7
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Many thanks everyone, it's good to know you're out there. I'll ring the nurse tomorrow and see what she says.
Jenny,
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,740
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Hi welcome to the hydroxy club i started on it at 200 mg last november i had rashes already due to lupus,I was preciribed it for both RA and Lupus it made the rash worse at first but only for very brief while plus some dizziness told my gp who told me try take it at night the dizziness stopped. im now on 400 mg no dizziness at all no worsened rashes but bit upset tummy only for first week after that settled. yes best discuss with rheumy nurse. im now able take the 400 mg in morning but not close to taking omprezole as clashes with it gp informed me 1 hour apart fine and with food. for me i can say now all problems stopped and its actaully calming my lupus rashes easing fatigue of ra and lupus . yes good diea check with rheumy nurse. all best nice meet you Melly cuddly cats make my world seem so much more fun
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/8/2009 Posts: 230 Location: Leicester
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I've been on hydroxychloroquine since November - 400mg (200mg x twice a day) and prior to going on I was warned that one of the side effects could be a rash... The reason I was warned was because I had a rash called prurigo nodularis that had taken a while to diagnose and until it had been diagnosed I couldn't start the hydroxy.... With prurigo nodularis, you get itchy little bumps, usually starting on the legs or arms and it's linked to auto immune conditions... Not everyone gets them... I've never had anything like this before with my arthritis but then my arthritis had been in remission for a number of years before becoming active again last year. Since going on the hydroxy I do get the occasional rash but my doctor prescribed me Fucidin as scratching spreads it. I did start off with the nausea and headaches but they do subside after a while. My eyes are a little more sensitive than usual although that may be down to the sjogrens. One side effect that I've not seen on the list and wondering if anyone has had this is stronger smelling wee. Its almost as if I'm dehydrated yet the colouring is pale. Sorry to bring the subject down  Helly x Celebrating 10yrs of National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society Doing a Tandem Skydive - May 2011 - All Sponsorship Welcome - www.justgiving.com/helencopeland Read my blog - Helly Copeland
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/8/2010 Posts: 914
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HI there
I have been on Plaquenil 200mg for almost 3 years now. I had a rash in the beginning and had to stop the combination I was on. Then re-introduce then one at a time, which has worked out fine. I saw the Rheumatology doctor before I went on holiday, she was pleased with me and said she may stop them next time I see her. Hope you settle down too. x
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,582 Location: Oxfordshire
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How are you feeling now Jenni? has the rash calmed and did you come off the Plaquenil?
Love,
Amanda
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/7/2009
Posts: 64
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Hi Jenniet
One of the main things you have to be careful of with Plaquinel is not to sit in the sun at all. I am on this along with mtx. Last year my arm got a horrid rash on the part of it that caught the sun, so do be careful.
Val
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009
Posts: 216
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I'm restarting Hydrox tomorrow after a few years without, so can't really recall any "nasties" except that you ARE told (or should be!!) to have your eyes tested regularly while you're on it. And I will be watching out for rashes etc, too, thanks for the warnings, at least the Leflu I'm already on can't be a culprit. (actually, thinking back,I DO vaguely remember headaches but they told me it could NOT be hydroxy causing them..............hmmmm!) Always be aware that what you do might hurt others........and if it could, do nothing without careful consideration of the consequences
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,740
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Hi I been on 400 mg Hydroxy 4 weeks now,no side effects its now starting slowly help my rashes,not so sure helping RA side things yet but gp did say far to early to tell gonna do blood test at 3 months stage to see and again at 6 months after taking it. im on it for sle lupus plus for RA as start ttc in winter this year. how you jenniet. hope your ok. lv melly  cuddly cats make my world seem so much more fun
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/21/2010
Posts: 69
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ive only taken 3 tablets but thinking of taking this med when back of holliday as im of to cyprus and seeing as i havent really started it yet i dont want to have to avoid sun as i love sun and going in swimming pool so im going to ask nurse if i can continue after holliday. as i havent really started yet and have had steroid injection 1 month ago and going away in couple weeks. im hoping ill get through .i was told that i can have another steroid injection before i go if its needed anyway what do you think 
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/21/2010
Posts: 69
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has anyone else done this temmporily.the heat helps anyway
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,081
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I'd begrateful if you could let me know what the nurse says please Lorraine. I didn't know you should avoid the sun with hydroxy.
Julie
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,582 Location: Oxfordshire
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I don't think it is Hydro you need to avoid the sun with but it is definitely MTX, ie exposing yourself to full on sunshine.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
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I have noticed since taking mtx I react to the sun far quicker than before but it's not a problem as long as I use a higher factor suncream and be very careful about applying it.
Doreen xx
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