Plaqunil & Anxiety

[shawzie]

OK, so I'm not trying to freak anyone out here, but something very strange happened to me last night....

I was laying in bed and suddenly this overwhelming fear of hurting myself or someone else came over me. It's important to understand that as a person almost all of my anxiety stems from fear of death (and having medical conditions that could cause death or may require me to take medication, which I don't like to do). I know I sound like a real headcase here, but I think it was meaningful to show that I'm sooooo not wanting to hurt myself. In fact I'm scared that the Plaquenil will "make me do it" or dull that fear of death to the point where I won't care about doing something harmful.

I've looked online and have found nothing to the effect that this is a common occurance or "side effect". Then I called the Dr. on call here (not my Dr. but it's a holiday weekend so he was the on call rhuematologist) and he said to stop the medication and talk to my doctor on Monday which I will do... My question to you all is have any of you ever experienced this type of anxiety as a result of taking your plaquenil?

I know this is silly and I just need to relax, but I'd love to hear your experiences...

[rsmurphy]

Hi! Shawzie,
You aren't freakin' me out, just making me concerned. And I am so happy you are listening to your feelings. I have been taking Plaquenil since Jan. and Neurontin since April for cns lupus. I feel anxious alot, and it was the first thing my GP tx. me for with Paxil when I first started having symptoms THAT I KNEW WEREN"T NORMAL! 5 years ago. In my nursing drug book, anxiety is the 3rd side effect listed for Plaquenil. I believe my anxiety is a component of my lupus picture, but it varies from one person to the next. And it often takes up to 3 months or so for Plaq. effect to kick in. However, I noticed relief on a significant amout of joint pain and dizziness in about 5 days, (I am not sure my dr. believed me, but he said it was possible). So your dr. telling you to stop the med and talk to your reg. dr. was good advice, I think. I am still anxious and taking trazedone to see if it helps. I would enc. you to share these feelings with your dr. asap, :nurse: I still get really anxious, so be sure to "keep me posted" :whisper: you can write or post to me anytime. Let us know how you made out with the dr. One big thing about this site is the true caring about others that is truly felt. hugs, sue.

[shawzie]

Sue, thanks for the words of encouragement. I've spoken with my sister and we think that what I was experiencing was just a great big fat panic (somewhat obsessive compulsive) attack. Which of course scared the bejesus out of me since it revolved around such horrible feelings....

I was diagnosed with panic/anxiety over 15 years ago so I have no doubt this whole experience has just made it more acute. Taking medication has always been one of my phobias (one that I am trying to work through) so some days are obviously harder than others. I guess last night was just one of my harder days. Thankfully I have a great therapist who I see on a very regular basis. I'm sure she will be of great comfort this week at our appointment.

I was glad to hear the on call Dr. say that he has not heard of the Plaquenil causing horrible behaviour. That just reafirms my thought that my attack last night was brought on by nightmares or perhaps something on the TV that I fell asleep to... Regardless, I plan on not taking the plaquenil until I speak with my regular rheumatologist, and even then perhaps I won't go back on it until I can find some alternative therapies for calming my anxiety about this whole thing. It's a long road and one that I see I may not be travelling smoothly for some time.

Thank you for your support, it is much needed and much appreciated!

[Traceyjean]

Hi,
So glad I got on the site today........ I have been having anxiety and panic attacks for about 1yr or more... I have been on the plaqunil for 2 years.. I didn't say anything to my Rhem. dr. because I felt stupid... I had 2 or 3 in last 2 months... Is the plaqunil the cause of them??? I never had them before in my 44 yrs. . I get so scared when I feel them coming on!! No one knows what it is like till you have one...... I go to the Rhem. in June and I have to let him know about them... They mostly come on when I'm in a closed in places or anything to do with Drs... I never was like this before!!! Then it can come on by my medications???

Help,
Traceyjean

[shawzie]

Traceyjean, I'm not a doctor so you would definately want to speak to him/her to get an accurate assessment. But... I will say that anxiety clearly appears to be an issue with many medications. So much so that it is listed as a side effect.

My issues are a bit more acute I think becuase I am predisposed to anxiety. I have it while I'm not on medication too so when it's a side effect that just increases it. :(

I'm trying to get into a medical psychiatrist to work through some of these issues, but boy do I feel like I'm going insane right now!

Good luck, and I hope you make it through your anxiety ok.... I can sympathize and am willing to listen when you need.