Hydroxychloroquine side effects

[bleeny]

I am newly diagnosed and now on hydroxychloroquine however it is giving me insomnia, nightmares and low mood. Will these side effects wear off in time? Would be grateful for any advice.

[Lili18]

Hi bleeny,

It is so so hard not to worry. But hang in there. The beginning is always very rough. Rough is actually not the word. I felt exactly the same five months ago, and still do sometimes. I believe it was not so much the hydroxy but these feelings we all go through when first diagnosed. Kinda like mourning our old selves, the mind still not accepting and us trying to understand and come to terms with the idea of having this chronic disease as well as the body trying to adapt to the medication. It will get better tho, but you have to allow yourself time to process this. I did a lot of meditation and yoga at the beginning.

Lots of hugs

[MarkJT]

Hi, I agree with Lili18 - I am on hydroxychloroquine and I have found meditation helpful. If you have a smartphone there are plenty of free apps out there to help. Best wishes.

Mark

[Boudica1]

Hi. I'm on Hydroxy and found the first 2 weeks rough but carried on with it. The side effects should wear off soon but if you are worried about them talk to your doctor. It has slowly got some of my symptoms under control. It can take some time before you can notice any difference.

I know the first few weeks of treatment I I nearly gave up but glad I didn't. Take care and hope you are feeling better soon.

X

[miccika1]

I hope side effects disappear That's the best medication of all... Can you syattbw low dosage and see if that helps? I started w 100 mg and increased to 200mg twice a day. Also make sure to take it w food.

[Janet-Haslam]

Hope your side effects settle, unfortunately I had to stop taking hydroxychloroquine after developing a severe rash from top to toe. Waiting for rheumatology appointment to see what else I can try.

[LalSD]

Hello Bleeny, very sorry to hear about the side effects. Please try to hang in there a bit more, this medicine takes about two months to work. I wonder it is the active lupus which might be causing the problems. Because I have SLE, i experience these symptoms anyway with/without the medication. Hydroxychloroquine is great if it works for you as it changed our life for the better. Please check Vitamin D as lupus patients lack this vitamin naturally, adding it to your diet as a form of vitamin will help your mood swings and pain in your body as well. I take 2x200mg but both at the same time instead of morning and evening routine. Check with your doctor if this is ok, I found that more effective. Hope you get better... With best, L

[Lynden87 in reply to LalSD]

Hello LaISD

I applaud you if you can do 2@200. I can not seem to do more than 200 once a day.

[bleeny]

Thanks for all your replies. It must be the tablets causing the symptoms as it happened quite drastically and out of the blue 1 week after starting the tablets. I am going to halve the dose and make sure I don't take them before sleep (I work nights). I've also started taking Vit D.

[Chanpreet_Walia LUPUS UK]

Hi Bleeny,

Welcome to the LUPUS UK HealthUnlocked community. We offer a free information pack which you can download or request at lupusuk.org.uk/request-info...

Hydroxychloroquine is a common drug used to treat lupus. According to The Lupus Encyclopedia, insomnia is an 'uncommon' side effect of this drug and can be resolved with lower doses of medication. The feeling of nervousness/being anxious can also occur as a result of this medication but this too can be resolved through a lower dose of medication. To learn more about hydroxychloroquine, read our factsheet on 'LUPUS: and Medication' at lupusuk.org.uk/wp-content/u...

Exercise and meditation are great mood-boosters. To read our article on lupus and exercise click here: lupusuk.org.uk/lupus-and-ex...

To learn about meditation and other therapeutic techniques, visit lupusuk.org.uk/stress-manag...

Please keep us updated, wishing you all the best.

[Lynden87]

Hi Bleeny,

Yeah, the Plaquenil is going to take some getting used to, which is unfortunate. I have been using 23 years it's a roller coaster. This is what I did without the recommendation of my physician. I decreased my dosage to half. I would tell the physician and they just were not getting it until 2018. the pain, vomiting, and diarrhea was a lot to contend with so he says to reduce your Plaquenil to half. I explained that I had been taking half since the beginning in spite of how it was prescribed because of the side effects. It works for me, periodically I have an arthritis joint flare, but it is not as bad as it was when I first was diagnosed. Its hard at first, remission is always welcomed but even while you are in remission you must continue to fight to stay in remission. That exercising (yoga, Tai Chi) changing the types of food you may consume and avoid toxic people. One day at a time...

[bleeny in reply to Lynden87]

Thank you all for all your advice. I am feeling MUCH better on half the dose. I will try increasing it in a few weeks. I am taking it when I get out of bed and sleeping fine now.