reaction to meds

Hi ive had a reaction to the base line meds given for Lupus ive been told to stop taking them.... is this a common problem??

[Jude65]

What do you mean by 'base line meds'? Give us the names and then it it easier to comment on whether any of us has had a reaction.

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Hi they are called hydroxychloroquine sulphate 200mg

[Jude65]

Hi themum,

I was on them for years but I have read posts from others in this forum who have had problems soon after taking them. You could look in the popular tags to the right of this page in hydroxychloroquine, it might help.

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Hi Jude65

Thank you

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I am on the same medication and recently had the dosage doubled (after three months of being on it). Just before the dosage was doubled I mentioned that since taking this medication I was getting a rash on my back. My specialist prescribed some cream and still doubled the dosage of the medication. My back is now covered with a rash and the other day I had an itch on my leg so I gave it the slightest scratch without thinking. It has developed into a cut that just isn't healing. My arms and elbows are starting to itch too. I see my specialist every three months and my next appointment isn't until March so I think I'm going to call my GP in the morning. I'm wondering how common a side effect rashes are with this medication and if you have to stop taking it or if they just give you something to stop the rash.

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Hi Tee1

I was taken off the above meds on the 2/1/12 i had only been on them for 4 weeks before i started scrating and am only just now stopping scrathing!!!! they gave me steriods for 3 days and antihistamiens 4 times a day that i am still taking you deffo need to phone your specialist to sort it out !!! when i first started itching i went to my GP who wasnt happy to deal with and told me to get in touch with the specialist .....good luck xxxxx

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Hello again,

I had a call from my Dr today to say that he called my rheumatologist and that I have to come off the Hydroxy tablets immediately. Gutted as apart from the allergic reaction, they were working. I don't get to see my consultant until March but have been told that if I get a flare up my Dr will prescribe a 5 day course of steroids. I Really don't want steroids as was on them about 8 years ago when I was initially diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Hated them. I'm assuming that my consultant will want to put me on a different medication in March. What are the options other than steroids? Does anyone have any experiences of coming off hydroxy tabs? Do I expect a flare? What are the chances of them just leaving me off medication altogether and monitoring me with regular blood tests? Sorry if these questions sound stupid, I feel I am kind of back to square one now.

I will say one thing - my Dr is fantastic and it's thanks to him that I got the correct diagnosis in the end. So glad he called my specialist today and said he will do so again if needed before my March appt.

[tidmusshaz]

Hi themum

I have been taking hydroxychloroquin for 4 weeks now since I saw the rheumatologist. I dont have a diagnosis yet ( I was told reactive arthritis in may, now told either Lupus or Palindromic arthritis). I have also just completed a reducing course of steroids which have reduced the pain I was suffering in my joints, but at the begining of this week I came out in a rash on my chest which has now spread over my arms & abdomen. I spoke to rheumatology nurse as they had made my follow up appointment a week later than they should have so I ran out of meds, I asked about the rash as the letter from my rheumatologist said if any rash develops to stop taking hydroxy & see GP immediatly (but when I saw my GP last week about what i think are side effects, he said its not a medication he deals with so knows nothing about it...), but rheumy nurse said unlikely to be the hydroxy after 4 weeks. I'm a bit worried now after reading these & wonder what to do ... Im due to see rheumatologist on monday...

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Hi tidmusshaz,

My rash has finaly cleared up so i have to restart the hydrox again today so that if i come out in a rash again they can confirm its the meds !! my rheumy nurse said that she deffo thinks its the meds as the 4 week time frame would be right?? its very difficult as evry person is diffrentt .... hope it gets sorted out take care ....

[tidmusshaz in reply to Hidden]

Thanks themum,

Im seeing Rheumy on monday so hopefully get some answers then.

x x x