Hydroxychloroquine ....what to do for the best - LUPUS UK

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Hydroxychloroquine ....what to do for the best

sarahsea profile image
8 Replies

Dear All,

I have been taking hydroxychloroquine since March and persevered despite the headaches and nausea, not forgetting the low mood.

I am starting to think they don't agree with me. The last few days I have had uncontrollable anxiety, and a upset stomach. This aside I already know I have a Hernia and GERD, could this drug be making it all worse? Is there an alternative?

Thank you x

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sarahsea
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8 Replies
katidid profile image
katidid

I feel for you! after almost a decade of tummy issues and headaches i finally got it under control until they put me on this stuff. now headaches everyday and let's not even get into how often i'm in the restroom!

sarahsea profile image
sarahsea in reply tokatidid

How long have you been on it?x

katidid profile image
katidid in reply tosarahsea

I'm on week 6. I thought the stomach issues were a temporary side effect, so I'm hoping it goes away soon. To make it easier, I take a medicine called Viberzi (brand name). Seems to help control it a bit and I'm digesting my food better. I'll keep you posted!

sarahsea profile image
sarahsea in reply tokatidid

Good luck, yes please let me know how you get on, I'm on month four and pushing hard to get to six xx

Lupiknits profile image
Lupiknits

Hydroxy upset my stomach and made me very itchy at first, but it settled down. On it 18 months now. I had a number of gastric problems before hydroxy, which has not made them worse. However, as others say, we all react differently. It took a good six months until I felt a difference. Later down the line I thought it wasn't helping and didn't take it for two months only to realise what a difference it did nake

sarahsea profile image
sarahsea in reply toLupiknits

Thank you, did your stomach improve or settle down? X

sarahsea profile image
sarahsea

Thank you for that reassurance, I think I just need to ride it out a little longer and rest as much as I can. Xx

whisperit profile image
whisperit

I had chronic gastritis for years before all this started, and the hydroxy made it worse for the first month or two. I made a few adjustments, including being very careful that every drug that i could get gastro-coated was gastro-coated, including the 1mg prednisolone tabs. Also adjusted my eating schedule a little. But I am sure you will have done all this. I now have the occasional episode of heartburn but it is manageable. I did not experience the deterioration in mood that you mention, which surprises me in the circumstances.

I wouldn't rule out your concerns, though. This is just my personal experience x

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