Plaquenil & Increased Sun Sensitivity

[LoopyLoo]

Hi All,

I've been on Plaquenil for just over a month now. After 2 weeks my joint pain & skin had improved, however this last week with the warm weather I find that I have nausea, dizzines & headaches after just 10 minutes in the sun. This is with sunscreen & a hat.

I've always loved the sun but after my diagnosis last month I've been very careful. I found I could sit out for a while with high factor sun cream but now I find the sun & glare unbearable. I think it's more the Plaq than the Lupus that's causing it.

Has anyone else experienced this as it's making me miserable. Does it get any better?

Thanks,

Pam

[jude mack]

Hi Pam

Sorry you feel so miserable, I have the same problems after a few minutes in the sun, but I also had it before I took Plaquenil. I have heard Plaquenil can cause some sun sensitivity, but whether that is true or not I don't know. I'm sure someone will be along who does know more about it. I think I would call and mention this to your doctor, to see what he/she has to say about it. I hope you feel better soon.

Take Care
Jude8)

[rwb200]

I looked at the attached link.
http://www.sanofi-synthelabo.us/
They are a manufacture of Plaquenil.
If you click on the drug name it will bring up a sheet with information about the drug.
It has a area just about the reactions for people with Lupus.
I did not see anything about sun sensitivity listed on this one but some people can always display symptoms or side effects outside of the norm with a drug.
You may want to look at the link and see what it says.
Hope it helps.

[busylizzie]

Hi Pam

I've been on plaquenil for 18 months now. I feel nauseous when it's hot - the last 2 days have been terrible - I also get headaches, my joints hurt and the fatigue gets worse. However, I was becoming sun-sensitive for a year or more before I started taking plaquenil so I don't think it's down to that.

I used to be a real sunworshipper - we have an apartment abroad but I don't go there anymore. I keep out of the sun as much as possible because I don't think it's worth the risk of going into a flare.

Take care and keep covered up.

Terry xx

[lazylegs]

Like the others my sun sensitivity was prior to the plaquenil. My doctor says that a hat and sunscreen are not always enough. I always wear long sleeves and pants. Also I try to only go out when the sun is not the strongest. On hot days I stay inside with the air conditioner. I understand that it is nice to be outside but I found it is not worth how bad I feel afterwards.

Take care,
Lazylegs

[LoopyLoo]

Thanks for all the replies, I am finding this very frustrating. My work colleagues were sitting outside for lunch today & I had to stay indoors. I made the excuse that I had too much work to do as not everyone knows.

We were in Italy in June & I was fine walking about if I was covered up & had a hat & sunscreen on.

That was just before starting the Plaq...now I can hardly walk the dog without getting nausea. I see my doctor in a week so I'll mention it to him.

Thanks again for the support :bigsmile:

Take care,

Pam

[raggedyann1]

Hi,

After just a month the plaquenil has not reached its full benefit for you. Plaquenil normally takes 2-3 months to really start working and 6-9 months to reach full benefit. I am glad that you have seen early response to the medication. Some of us are ultra-sensitive to the sun and basically have to stay out of it as much as is possible. The heat wave that we have been having in the USA the past several weeks isn't helping me at all. I know from past experience that when it is this hot (and I live near the ocean and have it easier than many of you) I have to stay inside all day. The heat alone can make me flare and adding sun exposure is like playing with fire for me.

Here is the link to the medications page of this site. It discusses that one of the ways plaquenil works is to block the UV rays from our skin.
http://www.uklupus.co.uk/antim.html

Take care,
Karen

[morenews1]

i have read somewhere that planqunil can cause increase in sun-sensitivity...i think in some pamflet.
But...my personal experience is not like that. I am extremely photosensitive, not just sun, any light bothers me.
Planq. did not work like for 5 months...after half a year i feel a littttttle bit better with sun. I still have all feelings(it is mostly my face ...burning, flashes, puffiness)...but they are more bearable now than before.
Great thing is that in winter i felt even worse than now, i think, i was scared of summer coming. But now planqunil kicked in, i think, and i feel it is a little bit better.
So hang in there...i don't think it is planq. which causes the problem...

[Robin22821]

I agree with raggedy ann...sun sensitivity just comes with the lupus territory unfortunately...plaquenil has never really had any side effects for me either way except for its nasty taste in the mornings and evenings! hang in there and give it a while to sink into your system. it is a wierd drug because it does take so long to start working, i know i personally thought it was not working...until i self medicated myself right off of it and then I knew the difference!