Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation Bulletin Board

[lookingforanswers]

Hi everyone,

I started Plaquenil with Azithromycin about 3 weeks ago. My vision started to get very blurry. I also had loss of apetite (lost 5 lbs), nervousness, muscle weakness, ears ringing, diarrhea, and dizziness. I stopped taking both medications. Dr. B had told me about how if I had eye problems I was suppose to get my eyes tested, but that was with longterm and a higher dosage of Plaquenil. I looked it up and read about it here. http://www.healthyontario.com/DrugDetails.aspx?brand_id=940&brand_name=Plaquenil

Has anyone else had these symptoms from the Plaquenil? I tried to reach Dr. B, but he must be on holidays.

Thanks,
Leslie

[Mum]

Hi Leslie,

When my daughter first started treatment in 2008, Plaquenil was added for 3 weeks after taking Biaxin for 2 months . She couldn't tolerate the Plaquenil due to nervousness, muscle weakness, increased hair loss, and seemingly increased eye/vision problems. In looking back at my daily notes, she felt pretty crappy overall while on Plaquenil and her brain fog was worse. While at the time we thought this was all from Plaquenil side effects, it may be possible that she was herxing only we didn't realize it.

When she discontinued it and saw an opthamologist to check her eyes, they were apparently okay, although her eye symptoms have always been a problem for her even before the Plaquenil and are still a problem even after 14 months of abx treatment. She has tons of floaters, eyes always bloodshot, strange vision things going on, severe pressure and pain from behind her eyes, and something she calls eye "twisting" behind the eyes. We always worry about her eyes but no answers. I don't think the Plaquenil is the reason for any of her eye problems.

[lookingforanswers]

Hi Mom,

Thanks for sharing that. You are the second person who has mentioned they couldn't tolerate it. I have to think it's side effects rather than a Herx as the symptoms went away after I stopped it. Albeit slow, they went away.

Take Care Leslie

[spaztick]

From what I have read, and from what both my LLMD and family doctor have said to me, everyone taking Plaquenil long-term must be screened for "Plaquenil toxicity" by an ophthalmologist on a regularly scheduled basis.

I started Plaquenil in Oct/08, and I have been screened for toxicity twice, and I have to see the specialist again in Feb 2010.

Your family doctor will refer you to the ophthalmologist for your first screening appointment(s), after which time the ophthalmologist will advise you when your next screening will take place. BC MSP will cover.

Toxicity from Plaquenil is very RARE.
You can read more at http://www.drugs.com/cons/plaquenil.html

[lookingforanswers]

Hi Spaz,

Thanks for mentioning that. I am aware that you need to get your eyes checked, if on this long term, and a higher dose. Thankfully, my eye sight is getting better. It was pretty scary.

Take Care Leslie

[jan p]

Les,

Couldn't a herx go away the same way? If you stop killing the Lyme (with the Plaquenil or anything else) and then your body gets rid of the toxins of the dead Lyme and no more herx symptoms.

jan

[lookingforanswers]

HI Jan,

I suspect it could, but this was a definitate blurring of vision. It started about a couple of weeks on Plaquenil. I also started experiencing nervousness it was around my own family and couldn't figure out what was going on. I had ringing in my ears, weakness (my hands shook like crazy for about 7 days and my whole body was weak, hair loss, weight loss (nothing tasted very good). I'm still not comfortable driving. The vision is better, but not as good as it was.

These symptoms are new and got somewhat better after I stopped taking it. Thanks for thinking of it though.

Hugs Les