Anyone tried Hydroxychloroquine for Fibromyalgia?

[ButtercupDaisy]

Hi, I suffer from Fibromyalgia, Myofascial Pain, IBS and Psoriatic Arthritis.

I've tried all the DMARDS for the latter with either little success or suffered side effects. I'm awaiting sleep studies for potential sleep apnoea. I sleep a minimum of 9 hours a night but still feel unrefreshed on waking and suffer debilitating fatigue every day. Work is becoming very difficult despite reasonable adjustments and I have exhausted all sick pay, so next time I struggle and have to take time off, there will be no pay.

My rheumatologist prescribed just 10mg of amitriptyline for the fibromyalgia which taken about 6pm at night is now resulting in a more refreshed sleep since I started it 4 weeks ago. No other side effects to report as yet - and I previously had side effects of nausea, headaches or grogginess with Duloxetine, Pregabalin and Gabapentin.

But I'm not getting any pain relief from the amitriptyline, so he's now prescribed Hydroxychloroquine as a last resort. Anyone tried it and able to give feedback please?

[Fra22-57]

I have fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis.I take this for the latter.wish I had been prescribed it before as has really helped

[LoneEra]

As Fra22-77 said, hydroxy is a DMARD often prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis or PsA - as you have. The rheumy is probably trying to determine which of your diseases is the cause of most of the issues. Sometimes if you can calm the RA or PsA down, the fibro gets a bit quieter as well. I would say it's worth giving it a try xx

[Newme2022]

I take hydroxychloroquine, and like you said, my rheumatologist prescribed it as a last resort. I will say that I believe it’s helped. I was couch ridden before I started taking it. I’m 8 months in and working is some what easier. However, I do work from home and I’m trying to walk 30 minutes everyday. I’m planning on asking for LDN at my next visit. I watched blogs and it seems to be making a big difference.

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer]

Hi there, I have sleep apnea along side my fibro /Cfs, so always welcome to chat should you get a diagnosis, I am on duloxtene, take my tablet at night but yes wake up with headaches . It is very much trial and error in getting something that helps us xx

[Aaaaa-]

Didnt’ help me. A lot of side effects ‘

[ButtercupDaisy in reply to Aaaaa-]

Thanks for replying. Can I ask what side effects you had please? Some I can live with, others not!

[Josie-Anne]

Hi ButtercupDaisy,

I have the same things as you and take amitriptyline 20mg for rest legs and shin splints which I used to take when I went to bed which did nothing so started to take it earlier which does help but I also suffer from insomnia, I’m on pregabalin but couldn’t cope with gabapentin I’m still in pain and am waiting see the neurologist, doctor hasn’t put me on what you’ve been prescribed but what this space ....