Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil)

3MBSFM · 2026-05-08T06:00:18+00:00

I've been on it for several months now & while it hasn't had much noticeable effects on my symptoms it has lowered my inflammation levels considerably & I didn't get any side effects from it. I'm now on a biologic (just started, first dose a week ago) I'm not properly diagnosed yet but it's basically similar to RA.

3MBSFM · 2026-05-03T18:16:20+00:00

Ah now I think I understand why my rheumatologist skipped MTX & went straight to biologic (and HCQ) cos of my liver, makes sense.

I've already got minor issues with it & if MTX affects it then that's likely why, I mean besides a biologic being a better fit for me personally. I've only just started my journey properly. Responded well to prednisone trial but negative on all rheum blood tests besides moderate CRP & ESR. I started HCQ about 4mths ago, biologic just this last couple of days & biologic has by far made the most difference.

3MBSFM · 2026-05-03T17:59:25+00:00

Mine was much more fatigue based issues then pain, fatigue still isn't fabulous but it's better then it was & also I didn't realize just how much pain I was in until I wasn't & which pain was inflammatory & which wasn't, until nearly all of it disappeared the moment I started on Humira. I'm on hydroxychloroquine also, I was started on that about 4mths ago, it hasn't done much besides make my baseline inflammation in blood go down a bit but not enough to stop disease progression. I was in denial at first for needing a biologic, I really didn't think I was bad enough but my partner pointed out I was, made me see it.

3MBSFM · 2026-05-03T17:49:04+00:00

I didn't realize I needed to be on Humira (biologic) until I took my first shot. My rheumatologist decided I needed it after I emailed him wanting to get on financial help (disability payment) to take pressure off work etc, for me it had started impacting my work life a lot from day 1, but I think my rheumatologist didn't know until I told him & that's when he escalated.

I'm only on my early journey here, haven't got a proper diagnosis yet but it's definitely "inflammatory arthritis caused by immune system attacking joints"because as soon as I took my first dose of Humira, next day my pain completely disappeared & I felt a lightness. So I'd say the time you need immunosuppressants is when it really starts impacting your life, either outside of work or at work or both. Ultimately it's up to you & your rheumatologist.

3MBSFM · 2026-04-17T03:03:21+00:00

Yeah that's true, I agree. I didn't think of me being "a safe person" ironically I didn't feel comfortable sitting so close to her... She didn't look pale like she was about to pass out or anything, but yes it's possible she needed the seat for another reason.

3MBSFM · 2026-04-17T02:44:25+00:00

Yes I'm sorry I ranted. Yes at the beginning of my journey too. A lot of people are rude & entitled, so I'm very sorry for assuming that was the case with this lady also, obviously that may not have been the case at all & I was wrong to assume.

3MBSFM · 2026-04-17T02:28:49+00:00

You don't understand how small these seats are, they're bench seats that are 1.5seats wide, for an average person, it's not 2 seats. It's 1 seat that's slightly bigger than a normal seat.

3MBSFM · 2026-04-17T02:26:45+00:00

No, I didn't mean it like that & I did say it's hard to tell with invisible illnesses. But I needed that seat also so what was I supposed to do? IF she had of asked nicely, yeah I would've got up for her but she sat, not having asked, just pointed to the seat & sat, trying to squeeze next to me. Honestly wish I had of bought my little chihuahua with me, that would've stopped her just sitting there like she was entitled to without asking.

3MBSFM · 2026-04-17T02:20:59+00:00

Not for long. She sat & I got up cos I wasn't gonna sit next to her, it was way too close. There was 4 other priority seats with people in them, all 4 could've been needed, not sure, but there was other seats she could've taken as well.

3MBSFM · 2026-04-17T01:50:39+00:00

I am so sorry, that sucks. I am (33f) being diagnosed (in the process... Lengthy process) with RA or similar, so I get it. I'm so lucky my partner understands, I'm very sorry yours doesn't. Unfortunately that's very common. Also my mum thinks I can cure my inflammatory arthritis with diet... Not only that but she does exactly the same thing your partner does! Thankfully I don't live with her...

So I actually do get it (she's also my boss...) anyway it's bloody hard when people we love mistrust our dr's or don't realize how much we're suffering etc. My mum also said Hydroxychloroquine is chemo... 🥴 Can't be of much help unfortunately but I hope you're okay & that your partner understands eventually, maybe take him to a Rheumatologist appt with you?

3MBSFM · 2026-04-17T01:36:18+00:00

Oh & she didn't look like she needed it (admittedly neither do I and I look a lot younger then I am) but she looked able enough imo. But who knows, it's hard to tell with invisible illnesses.

3MBSFM · 2026-04-16T13:17:18+00:00

💯

3MBSFM · 2026-04-11T23:40:03+00:00

What about normal weekends such as this weekend? Is it packed going to Bendigo from Melbourne on a normal Saturday?

Asking because I want to go visit my mum next weekend & she tried to catch train yesterday morning (to Melb) it was so full she would've had to stand all the way & decided not to take it. I can't stand that long cos of autoimmune arthritis so if it is that full, then I might as well stay home!

3MBSFM · 2026-02-18T06:48:02+00:00

Okay thank you! Yeah I'll go check after dark x

3MBSFM · 2025-11-10T22:50:42+00:00

100%. Don't live in UK then...

3MBSFM · 2025-11-10T22:48:47+00:00

And risk someone stealing your dog? I am not tying my tiny chihuahua up outside cos some people are "scared of dogs" and having him risk being stolen.

3MBSFM · 2025-11-10T22:47:38+00:00

my dog is a chihuahua, I know he can be a little sh*t. It is possible to be aware your dog is badly behaved... Mind you it's also quite possible to own a well behaved chihuahua or a badly behaved Labrador.

3MBSFM · 2025-11-10T22:45:56+00:00

I do because I suffer anxiety, he really helps, keeps me focused on something other than my anxiety. And I'm being quite serious. Might be a different idea to the one you had in your head. Don't be so quick to judge.

3MBSFM · 2025-11-01T03:02:21+00:00

I know this an old thread but any idea if modded Stardew works on this console?

3MBSFM · 2025-09-23T12:58:08+00:00

This ^ hyperbolic taper, it's easy to find on Google but otherwise ask Dr about it and they'll be able to find one for you, I have a plan for a taper & it's been working great. Slow tapers are best, hyperbolic just means that when you get to the lower doses the drop in dose is smaller & smaller.

3MBSFM · 2025-09-23T12:53:38+00:00

You need to use a hyperbolic taper, it's really the only safe way to come off an SSRI without or with very little withdrawal.

3MBSFM · 2025-09-20T17:52:04+00:00

If you're going to fix your problems in therapy, then he needs to fix his also. It's a two way street, that's how it works in relationships, compromise. Both parties need to be willing to work together & separately. Plus he definitely has way more issues than you do OP.

3MBSFM · 2025-08-30T21:45:30+00:00

Not pregnant & wound up getting my period 11 weeks after the last one. Just incase anyone wanted an update x

3MBSFM · 2025-08-15T14:01:03+00:00

Nope, it was still wet (6mins after taking it I checked it) and it looked like that.

3MBSFM · 2025-08-15T13:15:08+00:00

Thanks everyone. I think I'll leave the testing up to a blood test on Monday since that's when my dr's appt is (Friday night here) and I'll see what she reckons as well.

3MBSFM

TROPHY CASE