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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/7/2009
Posts: 9
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Hi everyone,
I havn't been on the forum for ages. I had such a brilliant eighteen months on Rituximab. But it's all gone pear shapped again. I've just started on Hydroxychloroquine. Any advice what to look out for or any comments would be appreciated.
Doreen W
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/26/2010
Posts: 271
Location: hampshire
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Hi Doreen, sorry you are feeling rough. Ive been on hydroxy for nearly 2 years now and have never had any side effects at all.
Hope things improve soon,
Love Heather xxx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/28/2011 Posts: 956 Location: North Preston
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Hi Doreen
Only one word of advice. Make sure you have your eyes checked every 12 months. Optician will give you a card called an Amsler Grid Eye Test to put somewhere in your home to check your sight every day. This is not to frighten you because my Optician says she has never known a problem with anyone in 20+ years but she says it is important to do this test because if a problem does occur it can be dealt with immediately thereby avoiding a serious problem. Apparently hydroxy can cause an eye problem but I don't know it's name. I would book in for an eye test now to discuss with Optician.
Sheila x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/8/2010 Posts: 914
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Hi Doreen, I have been on Hydrox for 3.5 years, never really had a problem with it. I go to the optician regularly and I have never been given the test Sheila talked about. I get my eyes tested thoroughly and he knows I am on this drug. I will ask the next time I am in to see what this is about. Hope you get on ok. Take care Lorna 
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/28/2011 Posts: 956 Location: North Preston
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The Amsler Grid Eye Test I referred to should be given to everyone taking hydroxychloroquine sulphate. It is a card with lots of lines on it and a big spot in the middle. You have to look at the spot in the middle and while you are looking at it the lines should remain straight if they lean or look distorted you must contact your optician. I was told this by my rheumatologist and my optician.
Sheila x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/13/2010 Posts: 786 Location: east anglia
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i got bad headaches at first but did go after a few weeks,have heard about the test card but dont have one,i have found a very good optician who is on the ball and i have a new r/nurse so must ask for one at next meeting,good luck
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/25/2010 Posts: 1,289 Location: Buckinghamshire
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hi Doreen,
i've never had any problems with Hydroxy,
but was told to have an eye test which i do anyway.
i was also given the Test Sheila refers to and was told to do this about every three months,
hope things improve for you soon,
Suzanne x
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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/7/2009
Posts: 9
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Thank you for the advice.
I've just had my eyes tested and new glasses. I will go back and ask them about the Amsler Eye test. I must admit I was a bit worried about how it can effect your eyes. So thanks again for that.
DoreenW
x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 331 Location: South London
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Hi I have been on hydroxy and have never heard of the test. So I will ask about it. my consultant said that eye issues with hydroxy is as rare as hens teeth...... so thanks for the info. 
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/8/2010 Posts: 914
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Hi Sheila, Thanks for the information, I had not heard of this but I am due to go for an eye test soon I will ask then. Lorna x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/21/2009
Posts: 106
Location: cornwall
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hi sheila
i've been on Hydroxy for 3 years and no probs
i do have eye checks regularly but no probs and optician says probs are very rare
never heard of the test--was not mentioned recently at eye test
take care
caz xx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 52 Location: northern ireland
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hi everyone my consultant precribed hydroxy but i have been having trouble with my eyes so i asked my g.p about them she advised me not to take them i have a appt with a eye specialist on the 4 june so will ask him if it is safe to take left a messg with my consultants P.A but the never got back to me consultant told me it was a safe drug never mentionted it could affect your eyes or to get a eye test only i read the side effects on line i would not have known
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/28/2011 Posts: 956 Location: North Preston
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Hi Posie
Better safe than sorry. Best to get eyes checked out and ask them about the Amsler grid eye test sheet.
Sheila x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/7/2009
Posts: 64
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click on the link below and do the amsler test from your computer http://www.eyesight.org/.../Eye_Test/eye_test.html
Regards Val
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
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Ooh I say, that's rather good! And I passed too ... not that I'm on hydroxy ... but I will give anything a try! Thank you for posting that Val I am sure others will find it very useful Lyn x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
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Wow that's great Val, thanks!
Not that I'm on hydroxy, but I'm terrified of getting macular degeneration (age related).
I'll be able to test for it myself now instead of dreading my 2 yearly eye test!
Doreen xx
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 52 Location: northern ireland
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thanks Val my eye sight appears normal
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 11/26/2010 Posts: 71 Location: London
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Hi all,
I've just been given a prescription for hydroxy today (start taking it tomorrow or Sat) and had read this thread so was really surprised that the 'sight test' I was given by my RA nurse today - 'read this very small print' - also had guidance to the practitioner stating that the Amsler test is not currently needed for hydroxy!
I followed your link Val and did the test as soon as I got home, it was all normal, and I'll keep doing it regularly - better safe than sorry! I was advised to have yearly eye tests though.
Thanks Val for your link!
Vicky
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