Plaquenil: does it stop working properly during, for example, flu?

[Blue_feather]

I was started on plaquenil early September. It took about 9 weeks to kick in, but when it did it was really very effective in reducing joint pains and fatigue. (100 % No pain and no fatigue.) I was ready to hail it a wonder drug but the effectiveness then reduced after a few weeks and has seemingly settled, giving me about an 85% reduction in pain/tiredness, which is still wonderful!

However, l got a virus 10 days ago, and all my 'old friends' are back: widespead joint inflammation and pain and tiredness creeping back.

Is the likely cause of this just my immune system being a bit overwhelmed by this recent virus, or would having the flu not make any difference?

I guess l am a bit worried it may have stopped working, and looking for reassurance that it is just a blip. Having spent 4 years in a lot of pain and sleeping my life away, l am not in a hurry to go back to it all again.

Thanks for reading.

[MusicalFurbaby]

Hi Blue_feather, it’s a good question. I can’t properly answer it, as for me, hydroxy has not helped with the joint pain. But what I do know is when I get the flu, all my normal joint pain and fatigue is magnified. I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck. So it can definitely cause a flare. As to whether it’s interfering with the hydroxy, I cannot say. Hope your flare dies down soon!

[Tiggywoos in reply to MusicalFurbaby]

Agree 100% ! Anything else we get wrong with us defo exasperates all existing pains !

[Willow7733]

Hi! I have been on Plaquenil (hydroxychloriquine) for around 2 years now. I also found it took a while to see any change, but my flares have gotten longer apart. I don’t find it has helped with joint pain as of yet, and I am still very tired most days…but I find it a little better. Instead of going to sleep at 4pm right after work, I can now stay up until 7pm! Still pretty tired, but my job is very demanding - that can’t be helping things. But the best so far, for me, is the change in frequency of my flares (from having two a month to maybe having them once every three months). Hope you find continued help with it. All the best.

[poseymint]

The flu/virus will make a anyone feel very bad even healthy young people with no autoimmune issues. They say this season the flu is especially difficult and symptoms are lasting longer. You might focus on recovering from the virus infection, rest, liquids all self care first. Then in a few weeks see where you are with aches and pains.

I have had to raise my Plaquinil dose to 400 mg when 200 wasn’t working. But for you, you might first heal your body of the virus then reevaluate. take care, be safe.

[Hidden]

Hi

I do understand the worry, especially as you’d gained a good amount of relief from your symptoms. My (unqualified!) opinion is that if HCQ (Plaquenil/Hydroxychloroquine) helped your baseline ‘normal’ when you were without a virus then, all things being equal, you should return there. It may take a while to clear virus as it could cause a flare of symptoms on top which will skew things a little and prolong/exacerbate symptoms. I was told 3-6 months to get full effects from HCQ whilst it builds up - so maybe it’s just a bumpy part of the road as you’re 3-4 months into treatment and flares early in treatment are not unusual (and that’s disregarding catching a virus on top).

From a personal viewpoint I’m no use as whilst I was on HCQ it didn’t work/help me in any way at all.

I’m really pleased it’s proved to be a good drug for you. I hope you’re every soon back on the right track and can see those off ‘old friends’ for the at least foreseeable future ✨

[Blue_feather]

Many thanks for all your replies, and so sorry for the delayed response but l have spent all weekend in bed with, l am guessing, flu. I think what may have complicated this for me is that l have not experienced a cold in over 7 years (sounds odd l know), and the last time l had flu was probably 25 years ago.

As others have suggested, it is probably viral. 🤞