Is this initial nausea on starting Hydroxychloroquine likely to get better?

[Niao]

Have just added Hydroxychloroquine to the Methotrexate and Prednisolone and I feel a bit of a wimp asking this , given this only my 2nd day but am actually feeling quite dreadful. Took the tablet, just 200mg, first thing and had horrible waves of nausea, a very strange head both sore and swimmy. Yesterday was also bad but not this bad. I had to go back to bed, then felt a bit better but now, after having a little lunch that I could hardly face, I'm back to feeling horrendous and it seems to be getting worse. Am trying to read posts but can't focus or take things in properly.

Question is, is this to be expected and is it likely to ease? How long should I give things to settle before thinking it may not be right for me?

Any advice much appreciated.

[Niao]

Thank you, that's very reassuring! I could certainly benefit from a good bit of weight loss so maybe I should see the decrease in appetite as a plus! Mild headaches and IBS I can deal with as have had IBS for many years and also Chronic migraines . Glad it worked for you and hope it does for me too. x

[Boxerlady in reply to Niao]

I didn't have problems with Hydroxychloroquine but did with Sulfasalazine and Methotrexate. In both cases it improved after a few days/weeks although it does reappear occasionally. Eating regularly (even when I don't fancy it) helps; toast, bananas and ginger biscuits help me as well as peppermint tea and sugar-free Polos (other mints are available!) Keeping well-hydrated helps too.

Another long-term IBS sufferer here but interestingly, I think that the Sulfasalazine is helping with that 🤞

[Niao in reply to Boxerlady]

Thank you, great advice. That is very interesting about the Sulfasalazine! I am very lucky, and so relieved, that the MTX hasn't so far affected me so badly with regards to nausea, though it certainly isn't doing the IBS any favours!

[marie66 in reply to Boxerlady]

Ginger biscuits help with the nausea but in the end I got an anti-sickness med from Dr. still problems 4 years on but I think it's a combo of hydroxy and methotrexate. M x

[Niao in reply to marie66]

Thank you. Sorry you're still having problems this far on! It could well be the combo though when I was on the methotrexate alone I didn't, thank goodness, have too much nausea. I will maybe ask about an anti sickness med too. X

[Marionfromhappydays]

Absolutely no constructive advice as never been on it but just wanted pass on a hug. How pants, you can do without all this, hope it passes soon and you get to see the benefit of it x

[Niao in reply to Marionfromhappydays]

🙂 Thank you! That helps just as much!

[Kags1068]

Hi Niao

Sorry to hear you are having this issue. I was started on Hydroxychloroquine 6 years ago when a diagnosis of Discoid Lupus was added (do like a bit of variety)! Normally, despite having IBS and acid problems I can tolerate drugs reasonably well. This one, I have found surprisingly difficult. Most of the time I can't manage the full dose but my Consultant doesn't seem worried as in my case "it's only for the lupus".

What I have discovered though, is that apparently certain brands can upset people more than others. One of the worst culprits seems to be the Quinoric brand which is the one I take. I believe some members have swapped brands and found it better. I'm in the process of trying to do this to see if it helps.

Aside from that, Whaleroad is absolutely right in saying that with any of these drugs, it's not uncommon to get some side effects for a time while your body adjusts, and that generally, Hydroxychloroquine is usually well tolerated.

You are definitely not being a wimp, so don't be too hard on yourself! These meds take a bit of getting used to, and that's what you are trying to do.

I hope the side effects settles down for you and that it starts to work quickly X😊

[Niao in reply to Kags1068]

'Only, Hah! This makes me mad! Just as well you like the variety as you certainly have that, poor thing. Thank you for this and for reminding me exactly what I had also meant to ask in my post, that being in relation to the Quinoric brand! Yes, I came across an article about this too, and this is the brand I've been given. I hope they will change this for you and at least give you the chance to see if it makes a positive difference. I'll try to persevere a bit longer and if nothing improves, will ask about trying a different one myself. Xxx

[Kags1068 in reply to Niao]

Haha - thanks for your supportive comment. I think sometimes doctors can make offhand comments without really thinking. Mind you, I wouldn't want to swap places - I'm sure I'd accidentally be putting both feet in it left, right and centre!😁

I'm glad it reminded you about the Quinoric brand - interesting that it's that one you are taking.

I think you've got a good plan of action - carry on for now to see if you can adjust and then ask to switch if not. Fingers crossed you don't need to 🤞X

[Niao in reply to Kags1068]

😁😁😁🤞

[Caza in reply to Kags1068]

I cannot take the Quinoric brand at all. The brand I take is Hydroxychloroquine Sulfate Coated Tablets marketed by Blackrock Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Abbey Place HP11 1NT. The dispensary at my surgery didn’t want to supply this brand as they’re more expensive. I was told that they’re hard to get hold of, not true. I phoned the company to check. I told the dispensary of my call (not popular as you can imagine!) & I got my GP to put on my prescription the only Brand that I can take. I have no problems with this brand at all. Good luck

[10CC in reply to Caza]

That’s very useful info. Thanks 😊

[Kags1068 in reply to Caza]

Ah, thanks very much for that Caza. I appreciate your input and advice X😊

[patsymay13]

Hi Niao I am on hydroxy for 2 x years now and havnt had any real problems with it but I remember my rheumy wrote on his 1st prescription not quineric so may be worth a try getting your doctor to change the brand x

[Niao in reply to patsymay13]

Thank you. Yes, I think I will if things don't calm down. X

[Kags1068 in reply to patsymay13]

Interesting your doctor wrote that on your prescription. Every time I have mentioned it so far to the Rheumatologist or the dermatologist I've just got a sort of blank look!

In my latest attempt to ask the dermatologist, he said just to contact my pharmacist and ask for a different brand. I'm going to try that next time I put in a prescription 🤞

[Niao in reply to Kags1068]

I know that blank look only too well!😁

[Kags1068 in reply to Niao]

Yes - I'm often sporting it too!😆😆

[Niao in reply to Kags1068]

😁😆🤣😂

[springcross in reply to Kags1068]

Hi Kags. Each time I ask the pharmacist for certain brands of meds, (not RA meds as that is already requested as Metoject), I'm always told that they can't unless it's specifically requested by the GP.

[Kags1068 in reply to springcross]

Thanks for that Springcross. I was a bit dubious when the dermatologist said that I could request a different brand myself, but he insisted I could. I'll have to phone my GP's again. Last time I tried that I ended up speaking to a locum who said they weren’t qualified to do things like that and it hadto be actioned by the Consultant. I'll have to try and speak to my own GP this time! I'm getting a bit dizzy pinging around from one to another - haha! 🤪x

[springcross in reply to Kags1068]

You could always put it in writing to your GP stating that the brand you are currently taking is upsetting you, at least you'll have proof if anyone forgets and also, it should then be on your records. Just a thought. x

[Kags1068 in reply to springcross]

Yes, thank you for that. Very useful advice. Will be getting on to it .......😊

[Caza in reply to springcross]

Yes, I put it in writing to my Gp & a copy to my consultant.

[patsymay13 in reply to Kags1068]

Yes the day I saw the rheumatologist for the first time he wrote me out my first prescription and wrote that on it I now get mine from gp and that is on my file so I always get same ones x

[Kags1068 in reply to patsymay13]

That's really good. I'm glad it's been so well organised for you x

[Caza in reply to Kags1068]

Read my answer above. Stand your ground.

[Caza]

The answer was for springcross

[Little-Lung-Lulu]

Yes. I also had bad side effects when starting Hydroxychloroquine. besides the nausea I also had acid reflux. I now take my whole daily dose in the early morning without any of the other medication. I prepare a glass of plain yoghurt watered down slightly so that it is like a thick milkshake. Halfway through drinking it I take the Hydroxychlorquine. Later in the morning, after breakfast, I take the prednisolone and the rest of my medication. It took me a while to find a solution, but this works well for me. I have also lost weight since taking it, but feel much better. Hope you find a solution soon.

[Niao in reply to Little-Lung-Lulu]

Thank you. That sounds like a very good idea to me which I will try. Glad you're feeling much better. x

[Lizard28]

I had terrible nausea when I started taking hydroxy, my doc suggested to take it with food in my stomach and at the beginning to only take one for a week or so then build it up gradually, this worked for me.

[Niao in reply to Lizard28]

Thank you. Yes, it does seem that quite a few of us have problems with this. If things persist I will ask Gp if I can do the same and work up to the full dose. x

[Fergie432]

I stopped taking my Hydroxachloroquine as I was getting horrendous headaches. Haven’t discussed with Reumy Doc or GP due to lockdown, but headaches went away as soon I stopped taking it.

[Niao in reply to Fergie432]

Thank you. Yep, am too getting some baddies, though I suffer from Chronic Migraines too so it's difficult to tell, but these are different. If it does continue I'll definitely be considering my options. I hope you're able to find something more suitable. Maybe ask, if you were on the Quinoric brand, if you could try another brand as has been suggested above? All the best. x

[medway-lady]

It might be co-indidence although it is likely I think I'd err on the side of caution because Vertigo has similar symptoms. I'm not saying it is anything in particular just I think it would be a good idea to call your RA team. I had similar experience of Etanercept but not that quickly and yes it did go after a couple of weeks.

[Niao in reply to medway-lady]

Sorry, wasn't sure if you were replying to me or Fergie432 but thank you either way. Good point to raise about Vertigo.

[Rambling9]

Hi - I started taking hydroxychloroquine with lanzoprazole to line the tummy - what I hadn't been told was to space these out by 3-4 hours. Once I started doing that then the nausea cleared up - but then the side effect may have been diminishing anyway, who knows! Good luck and hope you feel better soon

[Niao]

Thank you, it is a little better but still yuck! Yep, I take omeprazole and thankfully knew from previous experience not to take it too close to other meds. Hope you too are getting along well with whatever you are on. X