Plaquinel info

[Klippy]

I am new to the site. First time on. My daughter is 10 and since May has been "flirting" with Lupus, so they say. She's doing great physically now. Had joint pain, swelling, low WBC. Been seeing the Rheumy every month. ANA has dropped significantly. Now Positive ANA at 80. Now dsDNA is negative, but C3 and C4 are dropping over the past 3 months and they suggested today to start Plaquinel prophylaxtically. Any thoughts?

[Maia]

You may want to get a second opinion on this matter - from another rheumy that is recommended/well respected. Preferably outside the system your current rheumy is in.

I think the answer to your question will depend on a number of factors. How long was your daughter sick? Is there a family history of autoimmune disorders? Have other causes been ruled out & are you confident it's not something else (like Lyme/tick born illness, etc.)?

With children, ANA positivity can happen fairly commonly due to a number of reasons, including recent viral infections and even following some vaccinations. In children without autoimmune tendencies, they will go back to normal and stay normal.

Certainly the dropping c3 and c4 is worrisome. Low levels all by itself will predispose a person to develop SLE, but it doesn't mean that a person HAS SLE just because they are dropping. I hope they are checking her urine at each visit as well - to make sure kidneys are OK.

I have no information on using Plaquenil prophylactically... have not researched it before. Certainly, Plaquenil is really one of the drugs least likely to cause side effects that are serious and many experience no side effects at all. But I'm not sure I'd want my daughter on it at age 10 when lupus or another autoimmune disease has not been diagnosed and she is feeling well/not showing signs of illness.

It's a tough call. I'd get a second medical opinion in your shoes.