Ok...so you have lupus....and your taking your plaquinil/hydroxychloroquin (sp),...I don't take steroids...
Ok can you go for tests like ANA and the others, and the meds are not doing their work, and you have wacky wonky results on the labs?
Or does the meds normalize your tests once your on them?
Hello. I had a positive ANA test when diagnosed last year. I have been taking 200mg of hydroxy x twice per day ever since (10 months) and my blood test after 6 months was not positive for ANA. My rheumatologist said this was to be expected and shoes the medication is working. I have come out if that flare now. But I guess if I were to flare again the results change? Also, from October I am reducing meds to 200mg and 400mg on alternate days. I am a little concerned about this and whether I will go back down hill but I think that they do not like you being on Max of hydroxy for any longer than absolutely necessary due to the possible side effects. Hope this groks a little. I guess every case is different and your consultant should be looking at you individually. Best wishes. Wendy
yup, same here Wendy..I been on them about just over a year now...The high dose at first (didn't agree with me) of the hydroxyl..so I cut it in half ..telling the Rhumey of course...I still was having irritated guts, so halfed meds again, by his request...so I now take 1 200 mg pill every other day...He didn't remember telling me to do the last change to med when he saw me in June, but said ok (kinda low etc)...I felt fine until just recently, but i am hypothyroid too(and am slightly overmedicated.) I felt fine with that also until this last week, but something Is up...Lately my thyroid is going up and down, and its best not to jump too fast with new meds, cause then it goes the other way..lol....Plus im only post menopaused 4 years...Its a circus!!!!!!
So I guess if were on the hydroxy, the tests will look pretty normal....By the way it builds up in your system, its a drug takes a while to leave your body....
It seems that Lupus never comes alone, does it. You have a lot to deal with. I have SCLE Lupus (sub group of Discoid and Systemic), osteoarthritis in both hips, back ground hypermobility, borderline aneamia and now bilateral DeQuervain's Tenosynovitis (tendonitis) to add to the list. I have just turned 40 and so have the pleasure of the menopause to look forward to! Ha ha. I had a big flare last year that led to my diagnosis and I only now feel that I am coming out of it, after 10 months of 400mg hydroxy a day. It really does take a long time to get into your system. After reading on here, I feel that the Consultant I originally saw didn't take my symptoms seriously enough and maybe I should have been given a short course of steroids to give me an extra push out of it. It's not until you look back you, you realise how poorly you were and I wasn't even treading water with 3 young children and a job etc, I was sinking fast. Oh well, it's the past now, and trying to think onwards and hopefully upwards! Best wishes.
Ya, I think the world today has horrible stress for people...I think that has lots to do with it. I know there was lots of stress in my parents day, but things were done different then too...You have to find time for yourself if you can, and keep happy...Even eating healthy cost mega now so, little and good my Mom would say...
I turned down the steroids, because I had a rough time with them before, and they made me gain weight fast (food never tasted so good....I would have eaten the paint off the wall!) But they do certainly have their place, and they work fast!
Thank you dgleds for your replies and support. It means a lot. Hope you are having a good day.
Thanks Wendy39 
Six weekly blood tests? Is that normal?
Reduction in Plaquinil 
Fibromyalgia? and more tests
Lung Tests
Tests for Mild Lupus
