I am afraid to start Plaquenil. Can't find much info except that it is for Malaria and Lupus.
Any experiences with Plaquenil would be so helpful.
Thank you!
Beagle
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Supposedly helps with cysts. It's also a slight immune suppressant. It makes the macrolides more effective. That is why it's often paired with Biaxin.
--and yes, should help with babesia
Posted by lyme918 (Member # 29686) on :
I'm not sure what information you're looking for, but I was on it for about a year (along with Biaxin).
I had absolutely no problems with it. I was very nervous about taking it, but on the year I was on it I had no issues with it. The only thing I had to worry about while on it was getting my eyes checked about every six months.
If there was something specific you wanted to know, I can answer that instead!
Posted by Beagle (Member # 29698) on :
OH no - if it is a slight immune suppressant, isn't that a very bad thing for Lyme and co's?
Is Zithromax a macrolide? I've never had Biaxin.
I'm switching from Omnicef & Zithro to Plaquenil and Zithro. Pretty sure I don't have Babs, but have Bart and Lyme. Have you all taken it for Lyme or more for Babs?
thks again
Posted by Beagle (Member # 29698) on :
sorry, just realized Zithromax is a macrolide. so the pairing makes sense. And that it is indeed a slight immune suppressant. That is scary.
Has anyone had any bad effects taking Plaquenil from it being an immune suppressant?
Most of my fear is in the 6 month old total knee replacement which needs to be done over again due to either infection of the hardware or a break or whatever...I've been avoiding the knee/leg issue for now due to the TBI's.
Beagle
Posted by Beagle (Member # 29698) on :
Hate to be a pest about this drug, but trying to bump it up to try to get other's experience who have been on Placquenil, generic name is Hydroxychloroquine. If any knows how a drug that has immune suppressent qualities can be any good for Lyme? I've heard of it being used, but still afraid to take it without knowing how it could work if it is know to slightly suppress immune system. Anyone else on it or have been on it with no ill effects - better yet, any good effects? Again, hate to be a pest, but I live alone and have to be able to funtion at least a little bit. (no family to help with drug store trips, etc.)
thanks
Beagle
Posted by erikjh1972 (Member # 20964) on :
ive never heard of it being a suppressant. if it were no lyme dr. in his right mind would perscribe it.
ive been on it for 8 months, no problems.
Posted by Paul Mall (Member # 27581) on :
Plaquinil is a mild cyst buster
and it helps the other drugs get at the lyme
it is also prescribed for rhuematoid arthritis so it may help your knee...
many top LLMD's use Plaquinil in combination with other meds to hit lyme
I was on it for 5 months with no problems
Paul
Posted by Beagle (Member # 29698) on :
erikjh - I agree 100% why would it be prescribed for Lyme if it is immune suppressent. But I've researched as much as I could since last nite and it seems that it is a mild immune suppressant. Although it is often used for Lyme. something about helping with over active T2 cells? Which I do not understand, as I know nothing about these T1 and T2 cells.
Thanks all for your input. I feel better about starting Placquenil.
Beagle
Posted by Dogsandcats (Member # 28544) on :
I have been on Plaquenil for about a year. I have not had any problems with the plaquenil. I do know I was told to see an eye dr every 6 months because Plaquenil can affect your eyes.
Good luck!
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
i wouldn't worry about the immune supressant part
many llmds have used it for a long time
it was the vision issues that scared me
but it sounds like many don't have problems with it
what does your ortho say about the knee tho? do you know for sure it is infected? what infection? i don't understand why this is on hold if it can be fixed
what ever they give you for it will probably kill some tick borne bugs
Posted by ktkdommer (Member # 29020) on :
I've been on it for 9 years for supposed lupus which was Lyme. It has made me be able to work full time and cleared up a lot of my symptoms. I'm still on it while on Lyme treatment. I can only take the brand form as the generic gives me a rash.
Posted by kidsatlast (Member # 4308) on :
I have taken plaquenil for many months at a time on and off over the past few years along with Zithromax. It has worked well to decrease my Lyme symptoms. The only side effect I have had is that it affects my ability to accomodate my vision, i.e. I can't forcus as well or quickly when first starting to read. This side effect resolves 100% when I go off Plaquenil.
I have had the eye exams done and I have had no new lesions in my retina from the plaquenil. (I have some so called drusen on the retina but I had them before taking Plaquenil).
I would not worry about taking it.
Posted by Kudzuslipper (Member # 31915) on :
Anyone have stomach issues on plaq? Amazingly, I have been fine on abx for 5 months...but the day I started plaq, very bad runs, also a little dizzy, this has been the two days since i started ...And very very achy. Could a herx happen that fast?
Anyone have hair bleaching? Hate to sound so vain...but hair is one of the only things I have going right now.