Flare up from hell

[RachelWhiley]

Hi. Was taken off hydroxychlotoquine in August after being so well for over 8 years and it has totally wiped me out. Does this drug have such a massive impact in keeping flare ups at bay? I am still on methotrexate & sulfasalazine and have been put back in hydro.... but seems to be taking ages for pain etc to subside?

[wishbone]

Hydroxychloroquine is the only specialised RD med I can take. Apparently it is a mild med, and though it's not as effective as enbrel and methotrexate that I used to take, it's kept me from being in a seriously bad place for the last two years. So no, I'm not surprised that you're feeling the effects of not taking it.

Hope you get sorted soon.....

[helixhelix]

I'm on the same triple therapy, and a while back after being in remission for ages the doc suggested I try tapering down a dose. In my case I dropped one dose of Sulpha (i.e. one out of 4 daily tablets) and kept hydroxy & Methotrexate the same. Within weeks I flared fairly strongly, which surprised me as such a small change. Took about 2 to 3 months to stabilise again. So not quite the same as you, but similar. Needless to say I am now more cautious.....

[RachelWhiley]

Thank you all for your replies. Makes me feel better to know I’m not alone and never in a million years thought it would have this affect on me. Consultant never gave me any indication that I could go so far backwards but as said before I am back on the triple therapy and this morning went to rheumatology clinic who gave me a steroid injection to ease things until everything kicks back in. Hope you all continue to be as pain free as possible xx

[Terrysl]

Hi, I've just been put on hydroxychloroquine as well as being on sulfasalazine for 9 years. My RA has been stable and fairly symptomless for most of that time. Then in April this year It started to flare up and has got steadily worse since. I have been on the Hydro for a Month but as yet can't notice any improvement. Has anyone else been in this situation, and if so how long did it take, or indeed , did it improve things ?

[Dianne123]

I need 3 dmards to keep flares away, with 2 dmards I would have ocassional flares. I cut back my hydroxy chloroquine from 2 pills a day to alternating 1 pill to 2 pills every other day with no change in my condition. I am sure if I dropped one drug completely I would be in trouble.