Update on my Rheumy nurse appointment and put on 400mg of planq, to start.

[willowwag]

Hi all thank you all for all your support these last few weeks, my rheumy nurse appointment went well she was very nice, they have started me on planquill is that how its spelt lol, im on anitriptaline also..since i started the medication friday i have the worst headache and i feel all foggy in the head, another downside is what goes in is upsetting my tummy, is this just what im going to have to get used to till i settle in to these new meds. It was my first day back in work today and i felt like a zombie with a raging hangover, feeling really ruff inside and out, and thinking how much longer can i work like this, the rheumy says all the lining of my organs are inflamed and the planquill is a starter to see if anything helps..

[Donnygirl]

when i started on the hydroxy i was on my knees with stomach pain and doctor told me it was because i had not been taking my medication with food, not easy job when you cant eat a great deal lol. He told me off for not seeing him sooner I left it 2 weeks. I was put on tablets for my stomach and i def have some toast or light cereal first now. Hope this helps. Dont wait go see your doctor x

[hazelHollingsworth]

Make sure you have the COATED Plaquinil and take AFTER food. I take one in a morning and one after my evening meal. The Amatryp. I only take at night, but again after a snack. It does take 2 to 3 weeks to get rid of the headaches and 'foggy' feeling but keep going. Good luck.xxx

[rlupus]

Hi I am on the same dose 400mg that take a while to work, also amatripalin,not sure thats spelt right! i have one in morning and night and have a plain biscuits, but as all ready mentioned make sure there coated and are plaqunil as there is a cheaper brand they cause a lot of joint pain .

Good luck x

[gazorpf]

It is important to take the plaquenil after you have eaten. The stomach distress should ease up in a coiuple of weeks. Just be patient. It takes plaquenil several months to build up to the optimum level in your blood. It's not like taking aspirin for a headache.

Learn to work closely with your rheumatologist and nurse. A medication that works for one lupus patient may not work for another. Therefore, the treatment process involves some trial and error. In addition, some drugs take a while to reach full effect, so their effectiveness can't be evaluated immediately.

In the mean time, look at your prioirities and see what you can let go and where you can back off. Outside of work, rest when you are tired and do not push yourself. Let others help you. Ask for help when you need it. Learn to reduce stress. Jon Kabat-Zinn's book "Full Catastrophe Living" is a good place to start.

[willowwag]

Hi thank you so much, im making sure now i eat with the tablets, im not a morning breakfast person but my boss is being really good and we are now doing tea and toast time in the mornings so i make sure i eat with it, im going to take the other after tea and like always take my anitriptaline to go to bed, i did feel less foggy today for most part but my concentration is all over the place lol, im keeping on plodding trying to think possitive thank you so much xx