I have just been diagnosed with Scleroderma (to top it all...) My rheumatologist would like me to take Plaquenil and I have noticed that some of you take it for Lyme. Does Plaquenil kill the bacteria or just relieve the symptoms? Can it be taken in conjunction with Biaxin and Cipro? Anyone familiar with the drug? Thanks
Posted by 5dana8 (Member # 7935) on :
I used plaquenil for 3 years in conjuction with my abx. I was told & have read it can help the penetration of abx.
There is a ton of info on plaq.in the search area. Here's one to get ya started:
none of this is medical advise...just my 2 cents. Make sure to talk over everything first with your doctor.
Posted by hopingandpraying (Member # 9256) on :
Doc J (our son's LLMD) told us Plaquenil blasts a certain cyst form of Bb that the other meds don't.
It can affect your peripheral vision, so when you start using it make sure you get your eyes checked. Have a baseline exam done by an opthalmologist and have check-ups every three months while you're on it.
Posted by sonwithlyme (Member # 10942) on :
My son who is 11 just started to take Plaquenil, he is also taking rifampin, biaxin and minocin. Seems to be helping with his muscle and joint pain. Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
I take Plaquenil as a cyst buster. I am also taking Biaxin, and other meds, but not Cipro.
Posted by Aniek (Member # 5374) on :
I started Plaquenil while on Biaxin, because the 2 work together for Lyme. It may work at breaking the Lyme cysts.
But, the Plaquenil also helps with arthritic symptoms. I have more pain and stiffness when I don't take it, so I keep taking it.
If you will be on it for more than 6 months, it is recommended that you get a visual fields test by an eye doctor before, or right about when, starting the drug. Then get the test every 6 months.
Plaquenil can cause eye damage. Getting the test every 6 months means you will most likely catch any damage before it noticeably impacts your vision.
Posted by luvs2ride (Member # 8090) on :
It is a low dose abx protocol and according to members there, SD is one auto-immune disorder that responds very well to this protocol.
When you go there, look for "Richie". He is a moderator with SD who has been in remission for 5 or more years.
Very good website!
Luvs
Posted by Parisa (Member # 10526) on :
I second the roadback site as a wonderful site. That was our first stop before we found out my husband had lyme. My husband was "diagnosed" with undifferentiated connective tissue disease/dermatomyositis with a splash of lupus and possible scleroderma.
My husband started plaquenil two months ago. He has had a lot of swelling in his hands and it helped reduce it. I believe the plaquenil also helps reduce the ph allowing antibiotics to penetrate better.
Posted by Dancer (Member # 11039) on :
In case anyone's interested--
My LLMD explained to me that Plaquenil works in 3 ways in Lyme treatment:
1. it has an antiinflammatory effect 2. it alters the pH within cells, helping antibiotics work better (commonly it's paired with Biaxin) 3. it's a "cyst buster" -- kills cyst form of borrelia
He also told me that Plaquenil herx usually occurs around week 4 to 6, and I did have worst herxes starting around week 6.
I was on Biaxin + Plaquenil for 4 months, resulting in about a net 50% improvement of my symptoms. These were great meds!
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