Hello 
I havent actually been diagnosed with anything specific yet but the rhemy i see suspects i have mild lupus (with negative bloods) or some other form of connective tissue disorder,
He has suggested that i start a 'gentle' medication programme which includes Plaquenil to see how i go and see if it helps. I will be starting this in the next few weeks, when i see him next.
I have read lots of old posts on this forum about this drug that have been really helpful
However i still have a few little questions that i know you lupies will be able to help me with
1) this may sound odd, so bare with me, from what i understand this drug is suppressing our immune system, I apoligise if this is wrong due to my lack of knowledge :blush: my question is does this mean that we are more suseptable to infections, viruses, bacteria etc as our immune response will be reduced?
2) i struggle to take any form of medication even paracetemol upsets my tummy, so am worried that plaquenil is going to do this also :sad: any tips on how to reduce this would be great, i know to build up the dose slowly and to take the meds with food but as you guys have experience i thought you might have some ideas to help my stomach cope (of course i may be lucky and i may be fine with it
)
3) eye tests, i havent spoken to my rheumy yet about this as he is on holiday, but before i start taking this med should i go for an eye test? Would it be ok to just go to an opticians (im in the UK) or would it be better for me to see a specialist on the NHS?
Thank you for reading, sorry if you have to repeat what you have probably told others that are new to this drug,
Hope your all as well as possible
Cheers Bex x x x x
I havent actually been diagnosed with anything specific yet but the rhemy i see suspects i have mild lupus (with negative bloods) or some other form of connective tissue disorder,
He has suggested that i start a 'gentle' medication programme which includes Plaquenil to see how i go and see if it helps. I will be starting this in the next few weeks, when i see him next.
I have read lots of old posts on this forum about this drug that have been really helpful
However i still have a few little questions that i know you lupies will be able to help me with
1) this may sound odd, so bare with me, from what i understand this drug is suppressing our immune system, I apoligise if this is wrong due to my lack of knowledge :blush: my question is does this mean that we are more suseptable to infections, viruses, bacteria etc as our immune response will be reduced?
2) i struggle to take any form of medication even paracetemol upsets my tummy, so am worried that plaquenil is going to do this also :sad: any tips on how to reduce this would be great, i know to build up the dose slowly and to take the meds with food but as you guys have experience i thought you might have some ideas to help my stomach cope (of course i may be lucky and i may be fine with it
3) eye tests, i havent spoken to my rheumy yet about this as he is on holiday, but before i start taking this med should i go for an eye test? Would it be ok to just go to an opticians (im in the UK) or would it be better for me to see a specialist on the NHS?
Thank you for reading, sorry if you have to repeat what you have probably told others that are new to this drug,
Hope your all as well as possible
Cheers Bex x x x x