Plaquinel or not?

Hi HopingtoFindaCure,

My daughter is taking Plaquenil and has been on it for six weeks.  I was told by another lyme sufferer that it takes about 12 to 16 weeks to actually start seeing the signs of improvement from it.  The bad thing is that my daughter cannot stand the taste of it because we have to cut the pill in half.  Well, yesterday I had an idea to use the capsule that her probiotic comes in (we have to empty the probiotic capsule anyway) and put the pill inside it.  Now it is not a problem at all taking the medicine.  The capsule just dissolves anyway, so I don't see any harm done, and she is taking it without a problem.  What have you heard about the time before it starts taking effect?  I'm so happy to hear that you are feeling better.  We're still waiting to see improvement -- six weeks may be too soon (Plaquenil and Zithromax) and four weeks (Mepron and Artemisinin for Babesia).

Lisa

I'm sorry you are having such a bad day today.  I thought my daughter was doing better today, and then this afternoon she had a panic attack that lasted 15 minutes.  That could be due to the fact she has been on the babesia meds for a month  now, and the fact that she has resumed physical therapy (she hasn't walked since end of July).  It seems after therapy the bacteria decide to be agitated and cause her more problems!  I tell her "hurry up and take your antibiotics while they are moving around in you!"  I'll try anything to get them under control!  Also, bad weather sets her back.  I don't know where you live, but we are in CT and the snow storms are starting to come frequently this week.  Not good news for lyme arthritis.  Hang in there because for every bad day there is a great day right around the corner.  I wish you well and hope you have a wonderful holiday season!  Lisa

personally, plaquenil didn't help me at all.. my llmd said it would help the lyme and hit the babesia somewhat as well... i was on it for about 6 weeks along w/doxy and arteminisin and rifampin..... literally the day i started my new protocol of rifampin, omnicef, mepron, zithromax, and arteminisin i had more energy than i had in weeks of the other protocol..this was given to me by a new llmd

Most LLMDs prescribe a low dose of Plaquinil to help the antibioitc more efficiently penetrate the cell wall. The low doses that are prescribed are for most people not going to have much affect on pain levels, etc. Maybe a little but again not much.

You should have your eyes examined once every six months but at the low doses prescribed my doctor has never seen a problem. My eye doctor agreed with her.