I've been taking generic Plaquenil for just about 2 weeks now (13 days today) and it definitely feels like something is happening. I'm still not normal and I still get tired...but it's different. It's not the completely debilitating incapacitating fatigue that I was getting. I actually have energy now and I've been able to stay out longer and do a lot more the past several days. Also, it feels like my thinking is more clear now. Before, I felt like I was always spacing out and I just couldn't get my brain to work. I feel sharper now. In fact, I've been working on some little projects and doing things that I never would have been able to do just 3 weeks ago. I've been putting together this little model catapult kit I bought at Barnes and Noble (yeah, it's a model of a Medieval catapult and it actually works!). There's just no way in hell I could have done that before. A month ago, I could barely get out of bed. I know Plaquenil is supposed to take a lot longer to work, but it already seems to be doing something.
At this point, I'll take whatever I can get! At least for now, I'm actually able to have a life and I don't feel like I'm literally dying anymore!
I've also been taking Pilocarpine for dry mouth, and it is definitely working. My mouth and throat used to be really sore and irritated all the time, like I had a sore throat from a flu. That is pretty much gone now. I'm not going to say I'm "fine" now...my joints still hurt sometimes and I do still get tired, but I definitely notice a change and I'm actually feeling a lot better. I feel like finally there's a light at the end of the tunnel! If this keeps up, I'm more hopeful that eventually I'll be able to be more like my normal self. :)