Tested positive.. What medication do you take?

Question

Tested positive for RA. I figured due to symptoms and family history of it.  Rheumatologist me to see an opthalmologist before prescribing Plaquenil. Then he said I will have to have routine eye appointments and check up appts with him. I feel too young for this I just turn 27 in December.. But I always joke about how I feel soo old.. Maybe RA is why. I plan on changing my diet to hopefully help but Has anyone been on Plaquenil? What's your experience?

Answer

Hi, 
I wrote this in another post, but I am 24 and I have been on Plaquenil for one year. I was in a really bad flare-up about a year and a half ago.   I have ra and dermatomyositis. My doctor prescribed me prednisone and plaquenil.  The prednisone to get me through the flare up and end it, and the plaquenil is supposed to prevent you from flaring. I have weaned off the prednisone and have been one full year without a flare up thank God. Plaquenil is one of the very few medications for autoimmune diseases that have very little side effects, vision problems being one of them but the instances of these are very rare. I agree with you, twenties is too young to be on meds for a chronic condition, but if it improves your quality of life like it has mine, it is so worth it. I used to not be able to function and now I can do things without severe pain or being so fatigued. I hope that helps. Good luck! Oh, and high risk OBs allow women with autoimmune diseases to remain on Plaquenil, there have been no studies that have shown adverse fetal events and it can help you go through a full term pregnancy with no flare-ups, because the flare-ups are what can harm the baby.

Answer

I have Juvenile Dermatomyositis. A part of my condition is RA. I am on plaquenil and have had my routine check ups since I was 9. I’m 21 now. Sadly you’re never too young for this. My eyesight is gradually getting worse but the plaquenil isn’t causing any other issues with my vision.

Answer

Hi there. I was diagnosed at 21 so been suffering with the disease for 10 years now. I take sulfasalazine and anti-tnf treatment (golimumab). Have tried methotrexate, leflunamide, etanercept and prednisolone. 
I finally feel like i'm ok on this current treatment. It still sucks, i am having an arthroscopy on both knees this year as they no longer respond to joint steroid injections for the pain and swelling. However, therems totally hope when things seem tough.

Answer

I don't have experience with that med or RA but I do have immune issues. I would encourage you to look into the autoimmune paleo diet. It's a big lifestyle change for most but can make people with autoimmune conditions feel so much better.

Answer

I was diagnosed with RA at 14 and am now 30. I've been on Plaquenil a few times and seems to work for me. It one of the more mild drugs you can be on with minimal side effects.

Answer

I'm 27, too. Plaquenil worked very well for me, but I stopped taking it to ttc. It made the pain go almost completely away with no noticeable side effects. I don't know what I have yet, but my symptoms point to Sjögren's, RA, or SLE.  I could barely walk without crying when I went on Plaquenil. Now, like I said, I'm off it, for a while, and I haven't had a flare since. If I get pregnant and need something, they will put me on prednisone, but I hope I can avoid it until I give birth so I can just stay with Plaquenil. I'm a teacher, and always on my feet, so for it to take away the pain in my feet is a big accomplishment. Good luck!

Tested positive.. What medication do you take?

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