HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Does Intake Of Plaquenil Help In Curing Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Posted on Wed, 9 Mar 2016

Question: I have just been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and my rheumatologist just put me on Plaquenil and Prednisone 10 mg. daily. I am already on Cymbalta 120 mg., Desyrel, Klonopin, and Wellbutrin for major depression and anxiety disorder. I'm extremely hesitant to be on corticosteroids because of the risk of mood changes. The NSAIDS I am already on (Celebrex, Diclofenac cream, and Neurontin) are working very well and I have a TENS Unit as well (electrical stimulation of problem areas. I swim laps 4 times a week and my heart and lungs and blood pressure are perfect. I was feeling pretty good until I went into the Rheumatologist's office on Wednesday. In the early stages will it be enough to just add the Plaquenil and not the Prednisone?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Plaquenil will not be enough.

Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam,

Thank you for posting your query on HCM.

Well I will like to tell you that , we generally start with methotrexate as the medicine of choice for Rheumatoid arthritis . There are no recommendations regarding adding low dose steroids for this disease but it can be used in early stages according to choice of rheumatologist . Plaquenil will not be able to hold the disease so I think you should talk to your rheumatologist about your concern for worsening of depression and can ask about considering methotrexate as an option .

Take care.

Dr. Shruti

Note: For further information on diet changes to reduce allergy symptoms or to boost your immunity, Ask here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar