Side effects of plaquenil

[leentheexplorer]

Hey all, hope you're doing well.

I started plaquenil about 3 weeks ago. At first I was fine, but around 3 days ago I started having trouble sleeping (very vivid dreams for one), dizzy spells and this feeling like everything around me is in slow motion, a bit of vertigo sometimes. At the same time, I started experiencing some back pain, which I hadn't experienced for months, as well as headaches and an increase in neuropathy in my whole body, not just peripheral (the burning sensations, randomly switching from a hot area to cold, pins and needles, you know the drill). My legs, my face, arms all are being affected by this. I'm assuming this is a side effect of plaquenil that I'm just now starting to experience, but I can't be sure. I can't recall this severity of such symptoms before. I'm on 400 mg daily (I read some people are on less, but for some reason my doctor prescribed this big dosage right away).

Has anyone experienced anything similar and does it go away? I feel like crap and this med was supposed to make me feel better lol.

Wishing you a wonderful day,

leentheexplorer

[puneet123]

I was ok just dry eyes. Maybe your dosage needs adjusting needs adjusting. Maybe thyroid or high or low blood pressure. Make urgent appointmentbtonspeak to your rheumatologist and later gp.

[Pmeh]

Hi I had exactly the same problem and was put on a big dose straight away It got unbearable so I've been taken off them now unfortunately the doctors cant do anything medication wise so just waiting for my rheumatology appointment hope you feel better soon

[Tempname]

Hi, Im on plaquenil for sjogrens and my rheumy started me on 200 for 6 months, then upped it to 400. I had bad enough side effects both times of chronic migraine and v.itchy legs & chest at night. Thankfully it all settled after a month on the dose, hopefully it will for you too. If its not bearable you should ask your rheumy can you drop to 200 for a few months then work up. Best of luck xx

[Paprika60]

Hi, are you still on plaquenil and having same trouble or are you on another medication now?I have been trying to get my doctor to agree on changing Hydroxychloroquine for a while and he is not just coming through. I have been on it for 7 years now and am really convinced now that half my problem is from this drug. But it has put me in remission for swollen joints and skin issues completely.