R.A

[sarahha]

Hi how good is hydroxychloroquine and does it work on RA

[Hidden]

I know lots of people have been very successful with this drug normally taken along side methotrexate but I’m not one I’m allergic to it.

[sarahha in reply to Hidden]

Thanks

[helixhelix]

Many people have done very well for many years on hydroxy alone. You just need to get your eyes checked once a year.

[sarahha in reply to helixhelix]

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[Azzure]

I wish it was the case for me but it wasn’t. I have tried hydroxy and sulfasazaline and neither worked. Maybe because I was taking them on on there own it just wasn’t aggressive enough.

I am now only taking Methotrexate and touch wood I am so much better. I do have bit of stiffness only in my fingers and wrists but nothing like it was, it was crippling to say the least.

I mentioned my wrist pain to my consultant and he said sadly it is not a cure and I understood what he meant. It comes and goes it’s like it travels around to different parts of my body, I think people will relate.

I will probably never be free of it completely, but I am so much better. I’m grateful to be taking methotrexate no side effects whatsoever, it is like my body needed it.

Good luck!

[sarahha in reply to Azzure]

Thanks

[Ruth12345]

It's helped me as part of my treatment.

[sarahha in reply to Ruth12345]

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[lilyak]

Hi there, hydroxychoroquine is the mildest of the disease modifying medications. It is only for mild disease. In more severe disease, it it often given on combination with sulfasalazine and methotrexate (triple therapy), which has been shown to be as effective as biologics. Everyone's different on side effects, unfortunately no way to predict. It takes a few months to kick in, so if you feel your disease is progressing, let you rheum know. Studies have shown that hydroxy doesn't prevent joint erosion. If your disease is mod/severe, you will need more than hydroxy. Your rheum will likely add more medications as time goes on, depending on your response. It's a lot of trial and error, hope it helps you.

[sarahha in reply to lilyak]

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[Melarky]

Started on methotrexate for few months then addedhydroxychloroquin which does seem to have sped up the improvements in symptoms. I’m lucky as v few side effects so far but v early days. X

[sarahha in reply to Melarky]

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[Caza]

Hi, I’ve been taking Hydroxy now for 7yrs. It’s the only meds I take. It’s been great for me. I do have to be careful with which brand I take. Get a thorough eye check before you start taking it & then again after 6-9 months & then once a yr. Good luck I hope they work for you as well as they have for me.

[sarahha in reply to Caza]

Thank you

[sarahha]

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[Fruitandnutcase]

I’ve been taking it for about five years and it seems to work. If I get extra creaky I take some ibuprofen as well. I’ve not had any problems. I have my eyes checked by my optician and an eye scan every year. I also use an Amsler chart regularly to check for any distortion It’s very important to keep a check on your eyes because the damage caused by hydroxychloroquine is irreversible.

I’ve got very dry eyes - think because I’ve also got Graves‘ disease rather than anything to do with the hydroxychloroquine. My Graves has been in remission for about seven years - fingers crossed 🤞- but my eyes are really dry. I use a night ointment for them VitA-POS from my optician and drops throughout the day - at the moment I use Sno Tears as recommended by my rheumy - I eventually got mine online. They are quite an old style eyedrop but I’m happy with them.

So ‘yes’ to hydroxychloroquine for me.

[sarahha]

Thanks

[SueBaker]

It didn't work at all for me when added to MTX, except it seemed to make my eyesight a bit weak, lot of eye watering

[Mjhollywood1]

I am on it now for 3 months just went off predsone 3 days ago. I think it may be working I let you know 200 mg 1.5 tab a day. Gluten free I know that helps. Plz let me know Mj

[sarahha]

Thanks willdo

[sarahha in reply to sarahha]

Why does gluten free help

[JFlay]

Hi, I've been on it for 5 months now.

It took a while to work but it is doing now. The only side effect I have is flatulence unfortunately! embarrassing sometimes but I can live with that!

[sarahha]

Thanks

[Ms48]

It game me a TERRIBLE HEADACHE 🤕