Is anyone with RM on hydroxychloroquine?

[MaureenMLove]

Hi, I've just been diagnosed with RM and my consultant has put me on hydroxychloroquine, but looking through all the RM threads I can't see anyone who is on it!

Is there anyone who's on it? If so, how's it going?

I take it for mixed connective tissue disease. It changed my life I had constant wearing pain that has mostly gone.
There seems to be disagreement about whether you are immunosuppressed when taking it or not. I do get my regular opticians checks as you should have your retinas checked and you should get haematology and Us and Es checked yearly.
Been on it 12 years now.

Thank you for posting.. I've found a few people online here and on arthritis chat rooms who have said its life changing, so I'm feeling hopeful. I meant RA of course, not RM. I keep writing that!

Start my meds today. I had my eye test on Monday, so all clear to go, but I wanted to wait until I broke up from school, in case of any side effects, so I've got a couple of weeks to not worry about things too much.

The last week or so has been rough and I've been feeling a bit sorry for myself, but hopefully it won't be too long before things improve.

Thanks again.

I have RA and Im on hydroxychloroquine...been on it just over 2 years.

I have RA and found Hydroxy wouldn't work on its own for me, I take it with Leflunamide, Sulfasalazine, Naproxen and Enbrel (was on Methotrexate but had to stop that after 2yrs) and that cocktail seems to work for me lol There are lots who do find it really help so I hope you are one of those :)

I've been on it for about 4 years. I found out it was working when I stopped taking it!- as my symptoms were much worse without it. I t doesn't do much, apart from stopping my ankles swelling too much,

God knows why I referred to it as RM! I mean RA of course.

Well, thanks for your replies. I've been on it since 21st December and I have to say, I'm seeing remarkable results already. Assuming it's not just a fluke. I was suffering almost daily flares in my hands, shoulders and knees. The whole damn disease was really beginning to get me down. The last major flare I had was Christmas Day. Since then, I had about a week or so where my feet felt like they were broken, but now I'm doing OK.