I don't have lupus but do have Undifferntiated Inflammatory Arthritis and Raynauds and take hydroxychloroquine as I know lupus patients do and I have a question:
Just when I thought I was doing OK I have started to get serious episodes of what I think and GP think is hypoglycaemia. I've had it in the past but not serious and have basically ignored it but the last 3 or times have been close otgether and quite dramatic, nearly passing out in the high street and worse still in the middle of nowehere while out with the dog. I took him out for a late night pee and it happened, because my legs were so weak it took twice as long to get back and when I did I almost collpased through the front door and my husband had to undress me because I had no energy left. He said I was soaked with sweat. Anyway I asked him to make me a hot cross bun with jam and peanut butter which set me straight. This was at about 8:30 but even after eating the bun I was overwhelmingly tired and wiped out so I stayed in bed and slept til morning.
I'm having blood tests this week so will report back when I find out.
GP said it sometimes happens as a side effect of drugs...sooooo I looked up hydroxyc. and sure enough it is a known side effect. Has anyone else had this?
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Brychni
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Hi .I have this too. Not often and I had not associated it to Hydroxy, bit that makes sense. Sweating, shaky, fuzzy and feel faint. Quick sweet treat and I usually feel better if caught quick enough.
I look forward to hearing what your blood result is.
Hi Brychni well what a revelation.I was taken off Hydroxy three years ago and now I think of it I haven’t had any funny turns where I got just as you described, sweaty, dizzy, weak, exhausted and almost always I had my hubby get me a biscuit or a piece of chocolate and it lifted within the hour. I never associated it with Hydroxy. I used to make sure I had some wine gums in my pocket when out. Nothing showed up in my bloods ever xx
Hi BrychniI've been taking Hydroxy... for several years now. It has stopped the worst of my Lupus effects, but some of them are beginning to re-appear :
My main effect prior to Hydrox...was the feeling that my limbs were 'sticking' to whatever I was touching. I couldn't let go of the stairs bannister rail after having forced my hand [with difficulty] to grasp it. My feet seemed to stick to the floor, and Addenbrooke's physios had to spend time teaching me how to rock back and forth until my left foot lifted off under its own accord. My attacks of dizziness were cured but have now returned, and I've had some quite spectacular falls. On one occasion I fell backwards and smashed the entire bathroom sink, and pedestal, and ripped the towel rail off the wall. Fortunately my daughter's partner, a professional plumber, who lives next door to us, came straight in with her, and she replaced the towel rail with a proper disability handrail, whilst he got us a replacement sink unit at trade price and fitted it free of charge.
I get a lot of really dizzy spells so I think the Hydrox... is beginning to wear off [I shall speak to my rheumy on my next annual check up soon] My bloods always check out as 'normal'.
Lupus developed long after my excision of a benign brain tumour in 2002, as did Epilepsy. I take 28 pills a day and I was told that if I go back to donating blood, it might kill someone, because it's so contaminated with powerful drugs I've built up a resistance to over the years . I've never tried curing the effects by a swift dose of sugar as others seem to do, because I'm borderline obese, and have even given up sugar and sweet snacks. I also get the occasional skin rash and I'm constantly tired and drop off within minutes when I I sit down in front of the TV. Many of my other medications are sedatives, so that isn't surprising!
because of my lack of balance I use a wheel chair a lot and a walking frame around the house. I've also developed a weak bladder which is a constant worry, but goodness knows which of the 28 pill causes that. My swollen ankles may be caused by the same thing - who knows?
In its favour Hydrox... instantly cured me of several complaints, and lost in all the other complaints, I can't pin any faults on this drug, which gave me nothing but improvements!
Severe hypoglycaemia episodes can be life threatening.
Type 1 diabetics always make sure they carry QUICK acting carbohydrate with them when out and about eg. Glucose tablets, fruit juice, sweets, wine gums, fruit pastilles etc etc.
Useful to get yourself a blood glucose fingerprick test meter to record results daily!
Your GP should try to establish causes? It may be multi factorial and not only due to HCQ?🧐
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