Hydroxy and achy burning muscles

[Mollieharry]

Hi,hydroxychlorquine has just been added to my mtx and sulfasalazine.ive just been taking it for 5 days and really been suffering with sore muscles(the feeling you get when you’ve really overworked them after a while of little exercise).just wondering if anyone else has experienced this with this med or is it just a coincidence and is another symptom of ra.

[patsymay13]

Hi Mollieharry, I am on hydroxy and I don’t seem to have the side affects that you are suffering , I have been on it for 10 weeks since diagnosis, i have aches etc but I feel otherwise ok at the moment, sorry if that’s not much help to you, take care x

[AgedCrone]

I’d ask your rheumy nurse if you could stop the hydroxy for a week & see if your sore muscles get better.

No point putting up with a side effect if you don’t have to is there?

[Marley22]

Hi Mollieharry. This is my first time posting on here. I've been experiencing the same thing on hydroxy. Previously, I was on MTX injections. However, the side effects were something dreadful. So now, I've been on hydroxy for 6 weeks. I'm definitely feeling the same sore, achy, overworked muscles you referenced. Also they feel quite tender. And at times it feels like my nerves are sparking off. Very odd and unpleasant! Insomnia has suddenly become a huge issue as well! So you're definitely not alone. I'm scheduled to see my Rheumy in May as she wants me too stay on it for another 6 weeks.

[Mollieharry in reply to Marley22]

Hi marley22,just wondering how you are getting on with the hydroxychloroquine.i was at rhuemo nurse yesterday and she said to come off it for a couple of weeks to see if the deep aching and burning in muscles went away.but if not she said just to go back on it in a couple of wks as it could just be another sign that the ra isn’t in control.after you had posted I thought it was starting to subside and then it just came full on.can’t turn in bed without extreme pain,which is just impacting more on my sleep.

[Marley22 in reply to Mollieharry]

Hi Mollieharry.

I've had the same type of experience! The aching and horrible feeling seemed to subside for a few days. And then boom! It started back up after a few days with a vengeance.

I see my rheumy next month to assess if hydroxy is gonna stay or go. I came down with a cold so I haven't taken it all week and I've had no aching and such. So idk if it's a coincidence or not.

One thing for sure - my insomnia has been God awful. Like the worst ever. Overall, I'm not quite sure if hydroxy is gonna work for me long term. But I'll see how it goes when I resume taking it next week. I hope you're feeling a bit better and not achy! 🤗

[Mollieharry]

Thanks folks for replying to my post.i actually don’t feel my muscles are as achy and heavy today,but tbf I don’t feel the fatigue is as bad today.will keep on taking hydroxy and see what happens in the next couple of weeks till I see rhuemo nurse.I’ll be changing mtx meds to injection then as well.(prob different side affects again).just hope Marley 22 that I am able to tolerate them.so hard when you start a new drug.its just so annoying and weird how no two days are the same with ra.

[nomoreheels]

HCQ can cause muscle ache or even pain, in a similar way to statins. It usually goes though the longer you take it but if it persists it might be worth asking your GP to check your CK levels.

[Mollieharry]

Excuse my ignorance nomoreheels but what are ck levels.thought the muscle pain was away,but hay ho back today again.