Plaquenil VS Methotrexate
Plaquenil VS Methotrexate
Which do you prefer and why? I was prescribed methotrexate in September but I decided to not begin it due to fear of side effects. I have my first appt coming in 9 days with a rheumatolgist and I figure they will want to prescribe me something. The more I read about methotrexate the less comfortable I am with taking it. I have begun to read about plaquenil and it doesn't seem as scary... don't get me wrong the eye problems you can develop are kinda freaking me out... But not as scary as methotre… read more
I am currently on both. Started on plaquinil in 2017 so been almost 2 years now. Just started methotrexate in december. What scared me about mtx was that its low dose chemo. That scares me. But once you understand why it helps you... it helps because it slaps your immune system to calm the hell down for attacking all the good and bad cells since it doesnt know the difference. Telling your body to chill is its job.
and that mtx is the #1 go to drug for ra. It has years and years of research and a lot of info around the world. So many case studies and a lot of + results for ra.
What else scared me about it is I am only 36 and I havent 100% tossed in the towel of wanting kids yet. I want one. Im now lacking a husband (never had one) but when I was dating someone for thr last two years I was wanting to settle down. Now its back to square one. So on the kids front you have to come off mtx 6 months before trying for a baby. I was so Terrified of mtx to the point ir tears but asking questions in support groups has helped so much!!!
I have taken Plaquenil for 3 years because I didn't like the other side affects of methotrexate. But they all have them. With Plaquenil, you need to get an eye exam every year to check for changes in your sight. ( may cause blindness) But I feel it works as well as anything will. I am always in pain, sometimes it is worst than others. From what my doctor told me these 2 drugs are what they normally start you out on, they have been used for a long time. Hope this helps.
I started off on plaquanil and took it for over ten years before there was a problem. While taking the plaquanil they tried the methotrexate with me and a whole host of other meds after I got off of the plaquanil and I couldn't tolerate the side affects. Plaquanil sides r generally loose stools. There r others but for most peeps who handle meds well u may only have loose stools. Over time u can develope eye problems. But it usually takes years not days or months. Pennyslathrop was an extreme case of someone who was allergic to it. So please don't base your decision on hers or anyone else's experience!
Try them one at a time and see how u do. Plaquanil has the least amount of side affects but so does doxicycline. And I would lay odds your doc didn't offer u that as it is an old school treatment. Either way u go it is your choice just do your research!!
Barb
Watch for nodules. Talk to your dr, if you do.
