I’ve been diagnosed with Sjogren’s Stage II. Have tried several different medications, but nothing is working to help the pain and fatigue. Has Plaquenil or Gabapentin helped anyone with these issues? I also have other health issues. It’s been a bumpy and frustrating ride.
I'll put out a disclaimer first. I have Sjogren's and psoriatic arthritis, with the PsA developing first. I was put on plaquenil as my first disease modifying drug (DMARD). It made a really big difference primarily in terms of fatigue. It didn't cure it, but it brought me back to a functional level. I'm no longer on plaquenil because I am now on a biologic. My fatigue level has never returned to where it was when I was first diagnosed. I still have ongoing trouble with fatigue, but less than it once had been. I hope to never get that bad again.
I started using gabapentin last fall for neuropathy. I had been holding off on starting it, but I was starting to curtail what activities I was doing, including standing, due to the burning pain in my feet. I am on a reasonably low dose, and have been happy. I still have some pain from the neuropathy, but it's not stopping me from doing what I need to. I had been on long term NSAID use, but find that the risks associated with long terms NSAID use are something that I would rather not deal with. As is, my blood pressure has risen over time, and I have some mild hearing loss probably due to the NSAIDs.
Thanks for your reply. I have been reluctant to start those 2 meds, but reaching a point that will have to take something.
Stoney said:
I'll put out a disclaimer first. I have Sjogren's and psoriatic arthritis, with the PsA developing first. I was put on plaquenil as my first disease modifying drug (DMARD). It made a really big difference primarily in terms of fatigue. It didn't cure it, but it brought me back to a functional level. I'm no longer on plaquenil because I am now on a biologic. My fatigue level has never returned to where it was when I was first diagnosed. I still have ongoing trouble with fatigue, but less than it once had been. I hope to never get that bad again.
I started using gabapentin last fall for neuropathy. I had been holding off on starting it, but I was starting to curtail what activities I was doing, including standing, due to the burning pain in my feet. I am on a reasonably low dose, and have been happy. I still have some pain from the neuropathy, but it's not stopping me from doing what I need to. I had been on long term NSAID use, but find that the risks associated with long terms NSAID use are something that I would rather not deal with. As is, my blood pressure has risen over time, and I have some mild hearing loss probably due to the NSAIDs.
I am on the generic Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) and Gabapentin and have been on both for years. The Gabapentin has helped with the pain, but instead of increasing my dosage my doctor has opted instead to also have me on other pain meds so it's hard for me to tell anymore how effective the Gabapentin even is anymore. As for the Plaquenil, I too was hesitant but took the plunge... it took a long time for me to notice anything, but eventually I noticed my fatigue wasn't as bad so I hope it is never taken away from me. There are some possible negative side effects, but the main thing to remember is that it does have a slight chance to affect your vision, so you should see your eye doctor when you begin it and get a baseline reading, then plan on a once a year visit after that.
So Yes... both have helped me.