Hydroxychloroquine and macular degeneration

[joycen60]

I have only been taking Hydroxychloroquine for just over a year and have had no problems. I told the rheumatologist that I had early stages macular degeneration but they said it was not a problem. Recently i have had eye problems, my last eye test was January, so I went back to the optician who sent me to eye casualty. Here they told me that I had wet ARMD and have arranged for a series of injections starting in a weeks time. i asked if it was Ok to continue with the Hydroxychloroquine and he said it was

however I am still a bit worried that I am doing further damage- Has anybody carried on with the drug for a short length of time after diagnosis? Will it do any harm if I stop taking it for a week? I am also on Sulphalasine? My Ra is totally under control at the moment so dont want to mess that up. I am also due to see the RA consultant on Aug 14th.

Any advice would be welcome.

[juneann]

All we can do is put trust in the specialists, this is what they have studied for. They may not always get it spot on but they are our best chance. Many DMARD's can be stopped for a week or so, any longer and you run the risk of your body not accepting it again. This can mean it will show no positive effect on the condition, which can be difficult to get back to the level of control you presently have.

[joycen60 in reply to juneann]

Thank you for your reply. I do like to put my trust in the docs but I still can't help worrying a bit. I guess I had decided not to stop as another week will not make much difference. I will ask them to reassure me again when i go back next Friday.

[Carol41]

Hi Joycen60 I have just had the second injection in my eye for wet macular degeneration. Before it was decided to begin the treatment I supplied details of all my medications including methotrexate so I guess all these things are checked before treatment begins. I was apprehensive of having an injection in my eye but it isn't at all painful just a little uncomfortable. Don;t worry.

[joycen60 in reply to Carol41]

Thank You for replying. I think I just needed a little reassurance from someone who had been in a similar situation.

[joycen60]

I had my first injection yesterday, no problem at all and hardly felt it. The consultant said that there was no problem with taking the Hydrochloroquine as had only been taking it for 15 months and to continue taking it.