Sjogren’s Flare

Two weeks ago, doc lowered Plaquenil dose from 200mg in AM + 100mg at bedtime (because of side effects) to just 200mg in AM.

The first week I did just fine. On about the 9th day after the dose change, it hit, hard, and fast. So here I am, very sick again!

-constant headache
-so dry at night, tongue sticks to my mouth (Had to start using a mask at night again, no humidifier. Going through a LOT of Numoisyn Lozenges!)
-joint pain – only the movable joints (wrists/ankles the worst)
-fatigue – not enough energy to do anything
-swelling of my feet (top & bottom) at toe joints
-muscle aches/sensitive skin
-sudden, VERY high Blood Glucose on same foods/insulin (and all THAT entails)
-Feeling of being very ill
-increased anxiety
-fingers white and cold at slightest provocation
-do not think I’m thinking straight

Today spoke w/doc on phone. She upped prednisone again, (took an extra dose of it as soon as I spoke to her) Increased the Plaquenil back to 300mg, but at 150mg twice a day. (It will mean cutting pills in FOURS, but they are not tiny.).

Hopefully, I’ll start feeling better again, SOON, and without the Plaquenil side effects that were causing probs. Ff the Plaquenil side effects start again, I’ll know what to look for, and contact doc immediately, also now have a med for the ‘side effects’. Titration, titration, titration!

It is also time for me to make an appointment with my Ophthalmologist, to make sure the Plaquenil (worst side effect!), is not affecting my eyes. But first there was ‘the flood’ in my apartment, then the reconstruction, the fight with AIMCO to get reimbursed, and now I am sick.

Maybe I will get that appointment made tomorrow. In fact, am behind on several doc appointments. Sigh...

But right now, tonight, am going to get ready for bed, turn the sound down on the TV, (nothing good on tonight) listen to Ham Radio (SWL) from the other room, and just sit and crochet for awhile.