So I have been dealing with bronchitis since Monday, but I noticed prior to becoming ill, my appetite began to diminish. I usually have a pretty healthy appetite, but now it seems like I can't finish a meal. I wonder if it has anything to do with the Plaquenil. I missed a few doses, and once my bronchitis set in, I made sure I stayed on schedule, so I wouldn't go into a full blown flare, but now it's like I have to force myself to eat something, just so I can take the Plaquenil. I also felt this way when I began taking Plaquenil for the first time, my appetite diminshed, but I have been on it for months now, and I have been fine, although my appetite changes from time to time, usually it has been pretty good. Does anyone else experience this?
You have a few factors that can cut your appetite. Any lung infection will cause lack of appetite and even nausea, even in the early stages. Lupus itself can cause these 2 problems. my mother and I have had chronic nausea for 15 years, without medicines helping much. I just looked up the side effects of plaquenil, and nausea is the first symptom on the list. It said " Nausea, stomach cramps, loss of appetite, diarrhea, dizziness, or headache."
I was the same way when I first started plaquenil 5 months ago. I had to force myself to eat something so I could take my plaquenil. My appetite was also diminished. Now my appetite changes from time to time also. One week I’ll be hungry, next week not. It’s a side effect I find isn’t really bothersome.
Are you on antibiotic for the bronchitis? Usually that's a problem and cold meds. Humidifier helps alot with bronchitis or just do it "old school" and boil some water to breathe. I had trouble with Plaquenil. I developed horrible mouth sores. Rheumy wasn't sure if it was the med or the disease. Stopped med and got better on sulfasalazine. In the meanwhile I taught him about BMX solution for mouth ulcers. Anyone with this issue that wants to know--they use this usually with chemotherapy patients mouth ulcers. It's benadryl-mylanta-xylocaine mouth rinse. It calms it down and decreases the pain, inflammation, and acidity. You are probably feelin the combination of both illnesses. It's hard to get the right med. But I think I would try to get thru the bronchitis and see if the appetite thing doesn't improve. Stay hydrated. That's huge.
Karla, I was shocked to see that you got better on Sulfa! The majority of lupus patients react really badly to sulfa drugs. Good thinking, to remind RisaRae to stay hydrated. It sure affects how we feel and can ease the nausea.
Blessings, Sheila
I know. How you feel. I carry nausea. Pill all the time with me.
Thanks for the feedback. I don’t take any antibiotics unless absolutely necessary, because they cause me to flare. I feel a lot better today, I ate a whole fruit salad so far. I have been drinking a lot of water, and I stay away from cold medicines, they usually don’t help me when I have Bronchitis. The plaquenil is playing a big part in my appetite, because it diminished since I started using it. I used to eat massive portions of food before my diagnosis. The good thing is that’s sort of stopped. Some days I’m just extra hungry, and some days I won’t eat anything.
Hi riserae, I know how you are feeling !!!! want to eat but can't - i can't count the days were food smells bad to me- and know how hungry i am . So i find some chips or eat ice for that day - which the LUPUS doctor wants me to stop doing ( eating the ice ) , causes my blood count to drop !!! But hay !!! what else happens with the LUPUS stuff?? a cup of ice or 3-4 through the day really want hurt-smile ( i think)!!! But yes my friend, i know how you are feeling . Just keep something close to munch on when this happens and eat when you feel , also try eating FRUITS -that has helped me a lot also.... Beverly L.
RisaRae said:
Thanks for the feedback. I don't take any antibiotics unless absolutely necessary, because they cause me to flare. I feel a lot better today, I ate a whole fruit salad so far. I have been drinking a lot of water, and I stay away from , they usually don't help me when I have Bronchitis. The plaquenil is playing a big part in my appetite, because it diminished since I started using it. I used to eat massive portions of food before my diagnosis. The good thing is that's sort of stopped. Some days I'm just extra hungry, and some days I won't eat anything.
Sheila--it's complicated. I haven't technically been diagnosed yet. I have been seeing Dr. and rheumatologist for 1 1/2 yrs. for issues. I have in all likelihood lupus or RA. My symptoms started mildly and I had bloodwork that was screwy of course. Rheumatoid factor negative but ANA positive, anemic, etc. So, we know it's autoimmune. I have had relatives with both. We also have another genetic rare disease in the family--alpha one anatripsin deficiency(spelling may be off). Anyway, My rheumy said last visit, "I'm not ready to say you have lupus yet." My first cousin died last month at 36 yrs. old. Lupus. My symptoms are all there. My malar rash is not typical but otherwise I have everything else. Anyway, bad results with plaquenil--oral ulcers so bad--couldn't eat after a week of taking med. Dr. stopped it and put me on the sulfasalazine. I have a history of biopsy in a lung with a supposedly "necrotizing granuloma" in that lung base. Well, necrotizing meaning "dying" spot has increased in size about 50%. Methotrexate--and steroids-- could make it grow again--more. It is less than 4 cm.--it's more of a nodule than a mass. And at time of biopsy not malignant--yet. And I don't want it to grow anymore or turn cancerous due to being fed steroids. The sulfasalazine has that 5-ASA component that is akin to aspirin that helps with the joint pain and inflammation as a pain reliever and anti-inflamatory. I have no issues with sulfa yet. The joint pain was my biggest problem from the get go--in my opinion. I have had other organ issues but they have resolved thus far with treatment. The Raynaud's freaked me out at first, but it's not nearly as severe as other folks. Check out my note in that group. I don't like it when I have a facial rash. I get all red and people think I'm mad or ill or have high blood pressure or something. And as everyone knows there's no covering it. But my skin has stayed intact so far. Knock on wood. And as I say about meds--everybody's chemistry is different and gets different results. It takes alot to control my pain usually. Right now that's my biggy. Karla
Sheila W. said:
Karla, I was shocked to see that you got better on Sulfa! The majority of lupus patients react really badly to sulfa drugs. Good thinking, to remind RisaRae to stay hydrated. It sure affects how we feel and can ease the nausea.
Blessings, Sheila
Karla, I'm glad you didn't react to the sulfa, and I'm glad you can't take steroids, because the side effects are so dangerous, as you mentioned. I really pity those who must take them, no choice. I'm sure sorry to hear about your cousin and about all you're going through. So frustipating, isn't it? (A Sheila word. lol.) I remember the years that I was undiagnosed too. At least your Dr. is trying something! Will say a prayer for you and especially that lung spot!
Blessings, Sheila
Karla said:
Sheila--it's complicated. I haven't technically been diagnosed yet.
Thanks Sheila! Yes, on avg. they say 4 years and 3 Dr.'s for diagnosis. I took prednisone in the beginning from the GP, and he was goin to put me on methotrexate, but wanted me to see the specialist. I'm glad we did. Otherwise, I might be dealing with lung cancer and/or lobectomy. Always pays to get another opinion. I like your word! Karla
Hello Risa,
Plaquenil does knock your appetite for food about and it makes me lose weight more but the biggest problem is the bronchitis...it makes your lungs swell inside and it causes your sternum to go smaller besides swelling the glands in the throat...that's why coughs develope with it.
You do need fluid to feed you at this point and when mine bad i turn to chicken soup or mushroom and soak a piece of breed in it, so it will glide down and not hurt you.
Once you have that though it never leaves you it's like asthma you've got it for life and when your feeling better ask your doctor for an x-ray on your chest to see if it's turned to bronicle broncitis like mine.
Your right about anitbiotics nobody should have no more than 2 a year even if they're healthy as all they keep doing is dropping the immune system lower...i avoid them if i can even now when the lupus is in my lungs and hurts the doctor's offered me anitbiotics to help and i've refused...so we're both suffering pain and i know how your feeling with it.
Large hugs to you Terri xxx
RisaRae said:
Thanks for the feedback. I don't take any antibiotics unless absolutely necessary, because they cause me to flare. I feel a lot better today, I ate a whole fruit salad so far. I have been drinking a lot of water, and I stay away from cold medicines, they usually don't help me when I have Bronchitis. The plaquenil is playing a big part in my appetite, because it diminished since I started using it. I used to eat massive portions of food before my diagnosis. The good thing is that's sort of stopped. Some days I'm just extra hungry, and some days I won't eat anything.
Ann A. said:
Hey RisaRae,
Are you feeling better? Has the stormy weather come your way and gone?
Hi Ann,
Still in the storm, the bronchitis is slowly going away. My appetite is so-so. I made a big Sunday dinner for my family, but I could only eat a little. The bright side is I was able to cook. Thanks for asking 
Tez_20 said:
Hello Risa,
Plaquenil does knock your appetite for food about and it makes me lose weight more but the biggest problem is the bronchitis...it makes your lungs swell inside and it causes your sternum to go smaller besides swelling the glands in the throat...that's why coughs develope with it.
You do need fluid to feed you at this point and when mine bad i turn to chicken soup or mushroom and soak a piece of breed in it, so it will glide down and not hurt you.
Once you have that though it never leaves you it's like asthma you've got it for life and when your feeling better ask your doctor for an x-ray on your chest to see if it's turned to bronicle broncitis like mine.
Your right about anitbiotics nobody should have no more than 2 a year even if they're healthy as all they keep doing is dropping the immune system lower...i avoid them if i can even now when the lupus is in my lungs and hurts the doctor's offered me anitbiotics to help and i've refused...so we're both suffering pain and i know how your feeling with it.
Large hugs to you Terri xxx
Thanks for the hugs Terri! XXX right back atcha! I’m fortunate enough to not have a sore throat. It’s just the annoying cough, and the yucky phlegm. I am hoping that it’s out my system by Wednesday, because I’m going back to work. My doctor prescribed me some Nasonex for my sinuses, and it worked wonders when I used it before bed. But it doesn’t work well on my seasonal allergies for some reason.
Hello Risa,
Thank you mate and bless you.
You don't always get a sore throat unless the cough gets really extensive and hard to move but it still swells the glands which causes the cough you get my drift...yes i know what you mean about the phelgm...since i've had bronchitis and this is how they found out it had gone to bronicle is because i used to cough blood up...straight away my dad said to my mom get her down the doctors she's got TB...and when they x-rayed me the bronchitis had gone to bronicle and now every morning through my chest being bad plus smoking does'nt help but i need one, i fetch blood up but not coughing it up....they've tried down the doctor's to test me for 3 lung diseases and had no success, i fail on the 2nd test and i go dehydrated and the last time they tried they rushed in and i drank to pints of water straight off, so they give me steriod inhalers to help me.
Well i'm pleased the Nasonex as helped you but for seasonal allergies...you just can't beat piriton and not the ones of doctors they're cheap rubbish...i buy 30 in a pack for nearly £4.
I hope your days not to bad and all my love to you. xxx
RisaRae said:
Tez_20 said:Hello Risa,
Plaquenil does knock your appetite for food about and it makes me lose weight more but the biggest problem is the bronchitis...it makes your lungs swell inside and it causes your sternum to go smaller besides swelling the glands in the throat...that's why coughs develope with it.
You do need fluid to feed you at this point and when mine bad i turn to chicken soup or mushroom and soak a piece of breed in it, so it will glide down and not hurt you.
Once you have that though it never leaves you it's like asthma you've got it for life and when your feeling better ask your doctor for an x-ray on your chest to see if it's turned to bronicle broncitis like mine.
Your right about anitbiotics nobody should have no more than 2 a year even if they're healthy as all they keep doing is dropping the immune system lower...i avoid them if i can even now when the lupus is in my lungs and hurts the doctor's offered me anitbiotics to help and i've refused...so we're both suffering pain and i know how your feeling with it.
Large hugs to you Terri xxx
Thanks for the hugs Terri! XXX right back atcha! I'm fortunate enough to not have a sore throat. It's just the annoying cough, and the yucky phlegm. I am hoping that it's out my system by Wednesday, because I'm going back to work. My doctor prescribed me some Nasonex for my sinuses, and it worked wonders when I used it before bed. But it doesn't work well on my seasonal allergies for some reason.
I have never got my appetite back once i started the plaquenil, i use to be a size 18,now im a size 5,I struggle every day to eat a couple meals, I always try to a least drink smoothy everyday with alot of fruit and yougart.Im not sure what to do about it..the plaquenil does help me..good luck celeste
Hay celeste, don't use alot of the yougart in the smoothy, that's what making the weight lose to happen !!! I had to stop eating the yougart all together ....Beverly L.
thank you for the tip beverly about the yougart,I will give it a try....celeste
Hi, hope that you are doing fine !!! You are more than welcome ....Beverly L.