Erosive osteoarthritis

[Judy1947]

My Radiologist started me on hydroxychloroquine for Erosive osteoarthritis A little over 3 months ago for the past 2 weeks I can barely set up because I am so tired and I'm usually a very high energy person I would like to know if anyone else is having this problem. The medication has really helped the swelling in my hands and fingers i can bend them a little more now the joints still hurt but not as painful as it was before. But i am wondering if it is worth that to be this tired.

[panda2]

Hi Judy,

I'm actually starting to wonder the same thing myself of Hydroxychloroquine..

I started it 6 weeks ago for UCTD, particularly due to Ro antibodies and extreme sun sensitivity. I'm counting the days, knowing it takes up to 3 months to work -- just about when the sun might show up here. I happened to have 2 swollen finger joints that came out of the blue (I'm weakly Rheumatoid factor positive), which are now almost completely normal. That felt like a little bonus as they weren't that troublesome in the scheme of things. But I was also surprised this worked in one area so quickly, so have had hope for the sun sensitivity and many other symptoms. However in the past 10 days or so I have been hit with the most horrible fatigue/sleepiness. Also noting what you say about having trouble even staying sitting up, when I too am a very high energy person. I had it one day on, one day off over 4 days. Then fine. Then it started again a few days ago as one day on, one day off, then two days on. I have found it's lasting for about 5 hours at a time. I even had it while doing my mile in the swimming pool! I wondered if I could just have a little nap during my back stroke. : ) I am just forcing myself through every activity.

So I've been wondering about the Hydroxy too now. I can see in the leaflet that it can cause anaemia, which would explain the tiredness, but I had my bloods done in between fatigue days and mine were fine for anaemia. Have you had the chance to check your latest FBC and/or see if you can get a blood test to make sure you're not anaemic and rule that out?

Otherwise, I'm just as interested as you to know if anyone else has had this fatigue/sleepiness symptom with Hydroxy and if it passes?? It is a terrible symptom as it zaps the life force. You definitely wonder then, if this is the cause, if it's worth it. I totally understand.

With hope for hope..

Panda

[TheMadHouse]

I don’t know if this if of any help? I’ve been taking hydroxychloroquine for 20 years plus, as steroid sparing (plus prednisone) and I don’t believe I’ve ever had any side effects from it. Over my 44 years acquaintance with lupus, I’ve had my share of manifestations, but they’ve always been put right while continuing it unchanged. It’s probably something else?

[panda2 in reply to TheMadHouse]

Love the name -TheMadHouse... ; )

Thank you for weighing in here. I know this is Judy1947's post, but it does actually help me too, to work through what is and what isn't. I was hoping people would say that they had the extreme tiredness and that it passes after a period of time. But I see it's important to keep my eyes open for other things.

Thank you.