I cannot tell if some of my symptoms i am having is my Lupus and Sjogrens or from the plaquenil....how am i supposed to know if the med is helping if i cant tell the difference?
Well i've got Lupus and also sjogrens badly in my system and not long pulled off plaquenil after a year.
If you able to give member's the main sysmptoms that's bothering you, we'll be able to alot more if you don't mind.
((Hugs Terri)) xxx
Well i know the stomach problems (pain, bloating, and other less than nice things) must be the medicine, but my arthritis is worse, the fatigue is worse, my hair is thinning and im incredibly forgetful..i know all these can be symptoms of either so I dont know if im flaring up or the med is screwing with me..i just got a new job but already had to leave early bc i was so ill and if it is the med i cant let it disrupt my life like that
Hi Bethany,
As you know i'm no dotor to diagnose only give advice and if symptoms persist then see your gp.
Regarding (pain, bloating, and other less than nice things) i have these with IBS which i've just been diagnosed with after 15yrs which Lupus an cause besides coeliac Disease...so worth asking about that for a start off, as i did'nt get these symptoms with the plaquenil but it can hit we all differentley.
All these symptoms you've mentioned (arthritis is worse, the fatigue is worse, my hair is thinning and im incredibly forgetful)...is the lupus working strongly in your body as i get this badly and i've just skinned my head again and i'm not growing my hair back again totally pointless...you don't get these symptoms so much with sjogrens.
It sounds with all the mixture your going through that you've got a combined flare rising, i had one chronic flare with everything combined which lasted just over 6wks the lot was driving me mad totally. xxx
What_Doesn't_Kill_You said:
Well i know the stomach problems (pain, bloating, and other less than nice things) must be the medicine, but my arthritis is worse, the fatigue is worse, my hair is thinning and im incredibly forgetful..i know all these can be symptoms of either so I dont know if im flaring up or the med is screwing with me..i just got a new job but already had to leave early bc i was so ill and if it is the med i cant let it disrupt my life like that
I agree that these all could be symptoms of a flare and joint pains aren't usually a SE of plaquenil. GI symptoms can also be a flare. Many of the side effects of plaquenil wear off after being on the medicine for a while- so how long have you been on the med?
Ann's,
Pointed out some good issues hereand you will learn over the years where one issue is coming from to another...unlessthey combine themselves into a chronic flare.
Ann A. said:
You will learn how tell the difference over time. While there are some things that people with lupus share, we each experience lupus in unique ways. There is another discussion on the forum about keeping a journal. We live with the challenges of the disease and the challenges of the medications and we learn what works for us. I have been learning for 45 years. You too will learn. I know that does sound like much if you are feeling terrible right now, but hang on. You can do it and you will do it.