Hydroxychloroquine, and high blood sugar

[Polo22]

When I agreed to try Hydroxychloroquine I must admit being a little anxious about effects/side-effects. Started in May I think,200mg daily, HbA1c was 54 at last November 2023. HbA1c 30th May was 66, I know Hydroxy wouldn't have done this but just received results from annual diabetic eye screen 10th July saying I have developed background retinopathy, as yet not requiring treatment.

I have this eye screening every year, and also have the full testing from Opticians as there is Glaucoma in family and their check is rather more detailed and had September/October last year , all perfectly clear.

So now I am worried as looking through info it says Hydroxy not recommended for those with raised HbA1c as can cause eye problems , I got used to , mostly the cramps and loose bowels , but blurry eyes are annoying and worrying. Hair loss is bad too but could be due to dosey GP reducing my Levo , have original dose back but can take forever getting back on an even keel. Just wondering what peoples opinions are, I think it has helped, still in pain etc but I know it takes time to see full effects, just wondering if I could be doing more harm than good. Any thoughts welcome

[Fruitandnutcase]

Hydroxy eye problems are not the same as diabetic retinopathy.

If you can get your blood sugar levels under control then the diabetic signs on the retina should gradually disappear.

The retinal damage is caused by having high blood sugar over a period of time and hydroxy will neither improve it or make it worse. Good long term diabetic control is the way to help.

Do you have a blood sugar meter to test your bloods at home?

I developed steroid induced T2 diabetes some years ago, the only advice I got was to avoid pineapple and not eat more than one banana a day!

I started to wonder how I would know what foods to avoid and I discovered got an amazing book called wob.com/en-gb/books/dr-davi...

I bought a blood sugar meter and did exactly what Dr Cavan said - basically I tested before and two hours after everything I ate for a while, I jotted down what I had eaten and was able to find the things that spiked my blood sugar - in my case it was bread and grains - a lot of things I thought of as healthy - a jacket potato and salad, any sort of bread, breakfast cereals to name but a few things. Following the advice on the book brought by HbA1c right down.

It is a bit of work until you work out what foods to avoid but for me it was much easier than ending up taking drugs for diabetes and dealing with retinopathy, I’m not sure I would be very good dealing with that.

[Madmusiclover]

I would talk to your GP and/or rheumy nurse.

[VeronicaF]

Hi I am on Hydroxychloroquine, and have been on it for 6 yrs, it has really helped me ,I havent got diabetes, i think you need to see someome , ring the helpline to get your answers that you are worried about