just started plaq......

Hello Jane
It isn't normal to have rashes. Is the rash on your thigh definitely lupus related? It is a strange place to have lupus skin.
I would stop taking the Plaquenil and see if the rash goes down. It isn't going to make any difference to disease treatment, because Plaquenil usually takes weeks or even months to have a significant effect. It could be sheer coincidence, a flare of lupus skin or whatever it is, but some people do react to Plaquenil with a skin rash.
It should be reported to your doctor whether it goes or not. If it goes that might lend weight to the possibility that it was aggravated by the Plaquenil.

It has to be a medical decision whether to start it again possibly at a lower dose, a rechallenge as it's called, to make sure it was the Plaquenil, or to discontinue it.
Sorry not to be able to give the sort of advice you hoped for but I hope you will get reassurance and guidance from your doctor.

I once got a terribly itchy rash on both thighs when starting a new prescription of Plaquenil, although I had been taking it for years. My GP suggested it was a reaction to the filler in that batch. Sure enough I got another lot from a different batch and was just fine. That was in Germany, so I dont know how feasible it is in the UK.

Take photos of the rash if you can- they might come in handy.

Let us know how it goes please.
Clare

just started plaq.....

My Rhumie wasn't sure if the plaq caused the rashes or not, she was surprised as said lots of people take it, it's what she most commonly prescribes and she had never come accross anybody who has been allergic to it. Guess that cuts the chances down that it was the plaq that caused the rashes although it doesn't mean im not that one in a trillion that is allergic to it. My son is allergic to paracetamol and the docotors originally told us it was very very unlikely.......that was until he was given it again and went into an anaphylaxis shock.

Anyway my rhumie has decided to try me on a course of steroids to see if they help with my symtoms. As some of you may know i suffer with terrible dizziness and off balance feeling along with headaches, aches and pains, flu like symtoms, sinus problems and rashes. She feels the rashes are due to 'sticky blood' and the diziness may welll be connected to that. She also advised me to take 150mg of asprin a day.

Im hoping that the steroids will help, although i am pretty worried about taking them because of the possible side effects. I know i have no choice and the possiblity of feeling better outway any possible side effetcs.......

Jane
x