My hubby just started a new protocol that includes plaquenil.
Can you tell me what it is used for and if it helped you?
Did you herx on it?
Thanks,
tickbattler
Posted by Kreynolds (Member # 15117) on :
Plaquenil is used as a "cyst Buster", at least thats what I used it for.
I didn't herx on it, but got many side effects from it.
On Plaquenil you are supposed to have routine eye exams because it can effect your eyesight if you are on it for a long period of time.
I had to get off of it, my eyes were really bad.
If the doc is using the Plaquenil as a "cyst buster" in my opinion it is the worst one.
I would much rather take Flagyl. I am currently on Tindamax and it has been working great!
Remember what effects me may effect your husband differently!
Good Luck and keep a check on the eyesight!
Posted by njlymemom (Member # 15088) on :
Oh gee, everything I wrote just disappeared. Let me try again.
I have been on placquenil for a while, and it works great for me. Known as a cyst buster, but also anti-malarial and anti-inflammatory.
You need to have a thorough eye exam before starting (base line) then a follow up with the ophthamologist every 6 mos after as a precaution.
This kept me from trying this med for a long time.
When I finally could no longer get out of bed or a chair without help b/c of my hip joint pain. And walking w/out a cane was nearly impossible, well that is when I gave in and tried it. My eyes are precious to me (was an artist at one time) and the loss of my vision really scared me, but I could no longer live with that much pain w/out trying something else.
It worked, I still have my joint pain but no longer using a cane. It is also used as a cyst buster, so when I started herxing I thought maybe it was getting at lyme biofilms. Maybe it is, but the herxes seemed more like Babesia which my llmd suspected for some time. I am stubborn and did not believe it until the herxes.
Finally did test positive a few months ago for Babs and now txing.
Good luck to your husband! I hope it helps him as much as it has helped me.
Posted by mupersan (Member # 19683) on :
Hi
I've been on Azithromycin and Plaquenil for almost 2 weeks. Within a week I was crushed with a herx and severe increase in symptoms. But I think it is from the Azithromycin rather than the Plaquenil.
Anyway, Plaquenil does not only work against cysts. It is also making other macrolide antibiotics more effective.
From Wikipedia:
"...Hydroxychloroquine is also widely used in the treatment of chronic Lyme disease, in combination with macrolide antibiotics such as clarithromycin. It is thought that the hydroxychloroquine raises the pH in cellular vacuoles in which semi-dormant Lyme spirochaetes live, allowing the effect the macrolide to suppress protein synthesis by the spirochaetes..."
Plaquenil is a mild cyst buster, it helps zith/biaxin to penetrate better, and it's anti-malarial. Great drug. I was on it for 20 months.
Posted by tickbattler (Member # 14873) on :
Thanks all - very informative. He was pretty tired on it the second day and his symptoms were slightly worse, so I think he herxed a bit. He is a little better today.
tickbattler
Posted by cleo (Member # 6646) on :
I did herx mildly on plaquenil for about 3 months. I then seem to plateau and the backslide in the next 3 months. My llmd doesn't buy into it being a cyst buster. He told me he had people on biaxin alone with the same results.
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
I just don't like Plaquenil. I feel uncomfortable taking Lupus drugs with no reason. Cleo, is your LLMD a prominent one in NY?
Posted by njlymemom (Member # 15088) on :
Plaquenil is not only used for lyme and lupus but also for RA.
Helped my joint pain immensely.
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
THank you. I forgot about that use too. It's on the handout. Plaquenil increases joint pain and brings new pain horribly for me.
Posted by keltyl (Member # 14050) on :
I have been on plaquenil since day 1 of my treatment. When I went on the cowden, plaq is the only one he left me on.
I have one of the top LLMD'S, so there must be a reason.
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