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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Chronic Diarrhea While Taking Plaquenil For Rheumatoid Arthritis?

I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and was diagnosed about 16 years ago. I began taking plaquenil and over the years have experienced chronic sometimes uncontrollable diaheara and have many near-misses. I have been tested for everything, am having a colonoscopy in January, have tried Align, etc., etc. Take generic Imodium when I really, really need It but sometimes only having one episode clears me up. When I spoke to my rheumatologist last visit, the toll on me (weight loss, unhappiness with having to always be on alert) was getting to me. He suggested I stop the plaquenil for three weeks. After one week, I am not having these attacks , have regular bowel movements most of the time, and triggers (food and stress) don t seem to be triggering anything. I will be calling the doctor about what to do with not taking plaquenil but at the same time worry that my RA will get worse. He put me on methotrexate in August and I seem to be tolerating it okay on 6 pills once a week. Do you have any suggestions? Will stopping Plaquenil completely cause my RA to worsen and my condition to deteriorate? Any help would be greatly appreciated and comforting.
Fri, 15 May 2020
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello,

The symptoms seem to be related to Plaquenil side effects. Nausea, stomach cramps, loss of appetite, diarrhea, dizziness, or headache may occur. The most common side effects are nausea and diarrhea, which often improve with time. If the side effects persist you should consult your doctor for an alternative treatment.

Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Dorina Gurabardhi, General & Family Physician
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What Causes Chronic Diarrhea While Taking Plaquenil For Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Hello, The symptoms seem to be related to Plaquenil side effects. Nausea, stomach cramps, loss of appetite, diarrhea, dizziness, or headache may occur. The most common side effects are nausea and diarrhea, which often improve with time. If the side effects persist you should consult your doctor for an alternative treatment. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Dorina Gurabardhi, General & Family Physician