About 10 days ago I was advised to take a break from hydroxychloroquine as I was having issues with my eyes.

[Mags126]

Can stopping this affect the severity of RA so quickly? My joints are much worse without it. I am still taking mtx but it seems a combination of the 2 was helping the most. Still suffering with the eyes though

[Hidden]

What has happened to your eyes? Is it a sight problem? Or soreness?

I am surprised you are having a relapse so soon. I do hope you can get some extra help fairly quickly.

I have regular eye tests as I have been on Hydroxychloquine (Plaquenil) for a few years now. My eye problems are dry soreness, which is Sjogrens related.

[Mags126]

Hi Phoebe,

My eyes are sore and they sting, but they're not dry (I know that is a sympton of Sjogrens) - it seems to come and go at different times. I did see my gp about them but he was worse than useless. My nurse suggested coming off the hydroxy to see if that would help but it doesn't seem to have made much difference. I am due to see the nurse in a couple of weeks as I am starting mtx injections as the pills make me v nauseous so I will see what she says.

My finger joints have got worse since I stopped the pills - and I'm just a bit concerned that they have become really swollen so quickly. I hate this stupid disease and having to take so many pills.:(she says as she reaches for the ibuprofen.......) x

[Hidden]

Hi Mags. How sure are you that the Hyroxy is responsible for the eye problems? I have read that this drug can affect the eyes but had assumed it was eyesight that was affected? I'm interested because I should be seeing my rheumy later this month and am half expecting him to introduce this drug into the equation but as my eyes are fundamental to my work as an artist (and my hands have already affected that too) I was wondering how exactly Plaquenil/ Hydroxy affects the eyes.

At the moment the MTX alone seems to be working well so not keen to go for a new drug unless I know more about it. Couldn't your eye problems relate to RA or something else or perhaps the MTX? I ask because my eyes have stung and watered for a the past couple of weeks most mornings and I was vaguely wondering if it related to the MTX or the RA. If dropping the Hydroxy hasn't made any difference to this it doesn't sound like it's the cause of your eye problems? TTx

[sciqueen in reply to Hidden]

T

I am also on plaquenil and it was my first dmard (mtx was added a month later). I've had them checked by an optician in early december and they were fine.

I find they can become tired and the odd occasion I have experienced some slight soreness also when I am tired. - nothing that overtly gives mne cause for concerns. But is that not normal if you are tired sometimes your eyes get tired also? Other than that I have not experienced any other problems.

I only experienced 3 days of sickness & diarrhoea when I first took them, so I would say compared to mtx their side affects are more copeable!

Sci x

[Mags126]

Hi Tilda,

I'm not sure at all that my eye problems relate to the Hydroxy, I was wondering if it was due to the RA (oh joy!) or MTX. I didn't have these eye problems before starting the meds so I've kind of put two and two together myself. I did have an eye test not long after starting Hydroxy and all was ok but I might just pop in to the opticians to ask what they think as my gp was no help.

I do work in front of a computer screen so at the end of the day my eyes are tired anyway but this morning they were stinging as I started work!

I am hopeful that my nurse will be able to help - fingers crossed (if only I could!)

Take care xx

[Hidden]

Hydroxy nomally causes visual problems not soreness.. that is due to sjiorgens

[Hidden]

I agree with Summer. It's probably Sjogrens. Can I suggest you get a full eye test to rule out sight problems. And get a bottle of Hypromellose drops from a chemist (about £2 ) and see if they alleviate the problem.

If you have had RA for a while, Sjogrens is very common, unfortunately. And it starts very slowly. - Sore eyes, sore throat, swollen glands, dry skin, etc.

(Hydroxychloroquine has been one of my least problematic drugs.)

[Mags126]

Thanks Phoebe, I have already tried the eyedrops but they just aggravated my eyes more. Am waiting for a call back from my nurse so will mention it to her and am going to ask to go back on the hydroxy too.

[Waff]

Hi, I am about to undertake this drug but I must say that I am apprehensive regarding the effects on my eyesight although I am aware that my GP will monitor the process closely. I was surprised the other day by a phone call from my GP saying he checked my meds list & discovered that Citalopram will cause adverse reactions (I take it for pain, not as an anti-depressant) so I am phasing it out over the next 2 weeks before seeing him to start the new drug. I am concerned over the effects that taking ' a cocktail' of drugs must clash in some way? For example, I take Adcal D3 tablets for prevention as I have osteoporosis but also take steroids (prednisilone) & Dapsone etc. as I have Sarcoid Arthritis BUT... apparently Vitamin D adversely affects Sarcoidism BUT...Vitamin D is neccessary to aid my other condition!! Catch 22. I have taken this up with both my GP & Rheumatologist but they just shrug & say that my condition is cyclic so it sorts itself out over time! Great! Meanwhile I suffer a Rollercoaster Ride as each cycle ends with horrible flare-ups then the inevitable build up with the spectrum of ailments.

I'm remaining philosophical. Old age doesn't come by itself!

[Mags126]

Hi Waff,

It is a real worry taking a combination of meds and being aware of any possible interactions. I think hydroxycholoroquine is one of those with lesser side effects than others and it has certainly been beneficial to me combined with mtx. I really hope that it helps you too.

Mags x

[collette]

hi all I have just been put on hydroxycholoroquine and wondered how long it took for you to notice any improvements. I've been told it takes 12 weeks. and what is MTX? I am currently taking Hydro, piroxicam an anti inflammatory and co- codomal but co-codamol doesn't seem to relieve the pain. Any suggestions?

[Mags126 in reply to collette]

Hi Collette, It did take a good few weeks before I felt the benefits from hydroxychloroquine so you have to be patient! MTX is short for Methotrexate which is one of the most popular drugs prescribed for RA and I take the two together (a combination of drugs often gives more relief). It can take a while to work out the right drugs for you. I find that ibuprofen helps me with the swelling and pain and I often wrap my hands around a heat pack which helps. I hope you are able to find more relief soon and that the Hydroxy starts working its magic. x

[collette]

Thank you Mags I hope so too. Its been so long to get to the point of diagnosis. Since last August and it seems never ending. But will get there in the end.

[mistertea]

I take both MTX and Hydroxychloroquine - currently without any side effects.

However from my experience of GP's, Consultants, Nurses - the best person to speak to about your eye's is an optician!

I have my checks with the owner of my local Specsavers, and when I explained the medication I was on her was very reassuring. It may be that your eye problems are unrelated to RA, so perhaps worth getting an eye test and explaining the situation to them.

[Kings1]

I was on Hydrox when I developed dry eye. Given eye drops to relieve. Now on mtx with steroids and folic acid. Get flare up whatever meds I take.