It takes six months before you will see an improvement with the plaquenil. I take 100 mg of plaquenil 2X daily along with 7.5 mg of methotrexate once a week. Along with that I'm on Celebrex, ultram and pain medication when needed

In the past, when I felt really sick and in pain, I would take an extra Prednisone and it would help my symptoms. I'm not on Prednisone now because Medrol works better for me. I also don't get the Steroid Rage from the Medrol like I did with the Prednisone. Tip: I take a pill that helps to coat my stomach from all the medications and supplements I take. I have taken either Nexium (now over the counter) and Protonix (which is prescribed). It's helped with any heartburn/acid reflux I may get from all the meds.

I can relate. I was hoping Pkaquenil would help with pain, it didn't. I tried Celebrex, Diclofenac, Naproxen, Ibuprofen....nothing helped for my pain. I felt so hopeless. Then I saw one new doc recently and he suggested different medication which is used mostly for neuropathic pain, fibro, chronic pain syndrome, etc. He suggested Elavil (25mg) and it sure helped me. After 2 years if suffering. There are different sources of pain and yours might be not due to inflammation just like mine. It is worth trying. Some people take Lyrica which works the same. Don't give up and follow your guts!

Celebrex worked wonders on my joint pain. I took it with plaquenil after initial diagnosis. However, the celebrex caused gastritis and GI problems. My rheumatologist replaced it with methotrexate.

It take a few months till it help. I wasn't able to take it I was allergic to it. But if u swim or walk or do any activity in the water u feel much better faster...