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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Reoccuring Rash On Neck, Sjogrens, Taking Plaquinil, Dizzy And Anxiety Attacks, Palpitations. Is It Side Effect Of Plaquinil?

I am 34 YO female, no children, began exercising last October, down 30 pounds. I began developing a reoccuring rash on my neck and chest area. The rash seemed to worsen with heat. Went to GP and received steroid topical cream. Was ruled out to not be fungal . I asked to have all labs done. ANA came back 1:160, heart, thyroid, kidneys, all fine. Was referred to Rheumatologist . After lab tests, ruling was Sjogrens, however, not conclusive with SLE . Was put on 200 mg Plaquinil/day. I was so nauseated, dizzy and was having major anxiety attacks . Dr. told me to cut dosage in half. Have been on Plaquinil for 4 weeks and have a appointment this week. Oh, he also started me on a prenatal vitamin because my iron saturation was low. For the last 3 weeks I have begun to itch on my arms and some on my cheeks. I feel it is associated with the Plaquinil since I take no other medications and just a month ago I was only dealing with the reoccuring rash...living a normal life. I have had to really work on my anxiety...my pulse will race and I feel heart palpitations. I went to the ER and EKG was normal...cardiac enzymes normal...was told had an panic attack. Since then I have been trying to go about my life normal, however, I still will begin to notice my heartbeat and think about it to the point that I feel palpitations. Still get dizzy at times and have food aversions. I really would like to stop the Plaquinil. I have no pain, or any other symptoms related to Sjogrens. Last night, I felt like I could not breathe completely...woke up, started worrying about things and took me about 1 hour to fall back asleep...then slept normal. I plan to go to the GP on Monday to talk about the palpitations...just to see what she says and also to keep her informed about the past 4 weeks. Does this sound like the Plaquinil could cause my anxiety and does this sound like anxiety?
Fri, 20 Jul 2012
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hi,
Thanks for writing in.
Your symptoms definitely do sound like anxiety since other causes of palpitations have already been ruled out. Plaquenil which contains hydroxycloroquine can cause this kind of reactions. It is known to cause irritability, nervousness, emotional changes, nightmares, psychosis, headache and dizziness.
Please consult your physician about changing the drug or the dose.
Hope this helps
Regards
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Reoccuring Rash On Neck, Sjogrens, Taking Plaquinil, Dizzy And Anxiety Attacks, Palpitations. Is It Side Effect Of Plaquinil?

Hi, Thanks for writing in. Your symptoms definitely do sound like anxiety since other causes of palpitations have already been ruled out. Plaquenil which contains hydroxycloroquine can cause this kind of reactions. It is known to cause irritability, nervousness, emotional changes, nightmares, psychosis, headache and dizziness. Please consult your physician about changing the drug or the dose. Hope this helps Regards