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Real members of MyLupusTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.
May 16
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A MyLupusTeam Member

I didn't have any challenges after being taken off Plaquenil. It might be because I was still taking Prednisone as well as Cellcept at the time. It takes several weeks to get Plaquenil out of your system.

May 16 (edited)
A MyLupusTeam Member

I was the opposite from other responses on here. I felt so much better after I quit plaquenil. My energy was better and even the fatigue was better at first
Now instead of always feeling fatigued and tired 24 x 7 I only feel that way when a flare is coming on.
The responses to this post is proof that medicine effects each person in different ways. There no set medicine you can take and it helps every time. Because what works for me doesn’t work the same on others. This disease itself is the same. You never know how your body will respond to a medication. Just shows how crazy disease is.

May 17 (edited)
A MyLupusTeam Member

It was hell! My body is yet goibg through. I was on it for 26 years on ans off. Off for 4 months now. Couldnt tolerate nothing with Benlysta. Back to the drawing board.

May 16
A MyLupusTeam Member

No problems, just extra tiredness

May 16
MyLupusTeam

Yes, some MyLupusTeam members have shared their experiences with stopping Plaquenil quickly. The results were quite mixed — some had no issues at all, while others had a really tough time.

Here's what some members reported:

- Joint pain and achiness that made it hard to move
- Diarrhea and random pains throughout the body
- Show Full Answer

Yes, some MyLupusTeam members have shared their experiences with stopping Plaquenil quickly. The results were quite mixed — some had no issues at all, while others had a really tough time.

Here's what some members reported:

- Joint pain and achiness that made it hard to move
- Diarrhea and random pains throughout the body
- Itching all over
- Extreme fatigue and feeling slow
- Some members noticed no withdrawal symptoms at all One of the biggest risks of stopping Plaquenil suddenly is triggering a lupus flare. Research shows that people who stopped completely were 61% more likely to experience a flare sooner than those who stayed on their medication.

It's worth knowing that Plaquenil stays in your system for about three months after stopping, so some side effects or flare symptoms may linger even after the medication is gone.

The safest approach is always to work with a rheumatologist when coming off Plaquenil — tapering the dose gradually rather than stopping abruptly gives the body a much better chance to adjust.

May 16

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A MyLupusTeam Member asked a question 💭
Miami, FL