Plaquenil and Your Eyes

I found this site.  It is interesting and something I need to be concerned with.  I am on Plaquenil but no eye problems yet.
 Link to original post

 

What is Plaquenil? Plaquenil (Hydroxychloroquine) is used to dampen inflammation in some forms of arthritis, especially rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Plaquenil is usually used for long term disease control, rather than in the short term to control active bursts of inflammation. Plaquenil has important but uncommon side effects that may affect your eye. How does Plaquenil affect your eyes? The most important affect of Plaquenil on your eye is to damage the retina at the back of your eye. Fortunately, this is very uncommon and generally only occurs in patients on high doses or patients with bad kidney function. This sort of retinal damage may result in patchy loss of central vision or patchy loss of vision just close to the centre of your vision. There are a number of other much less important side effects of Plaquenil, including changes in the cornea and changes in the eyelids. To be at risk of eye problems from Plaquenil you need to be on quite a high dose. The dose that you can safely tolerate depends on your size. If you weigh less than 30kg, then you may run in to problems on just one tablet a day. If you weigh less than 60kg (around 9 ½ stone) then you may be at risk of eye problems on two tablets daily. What can I do to ensure my eyes are not affected? It is important to promptly report any changes in vision, especially any changes in your central vision whilst you are on Plaquenil. It is also useful to check your central and near central vision regularly. It is recommended that you check you vision on an Amsler chart weekly (see below). You do this by looking at the black dot in the centre with one eye at a time and noticing if there are any gaps or irregularities in the straight lines around the black dot. If there are any changes then you should tell your rheumatologist or your eye doctor promptly. The vast majority of patients on Plaquenil get absolutely no eye problems and you should not be unduly worried or concerned. If you have a good response in your arthritis to the Plaquenil then the benefits of a Plaquenil almost certainly outweigh the small risks to your eyes. So long as you are careful with your eyes, then there are no reasons that you should develop any problems in the long term. Sit in an area with good lighting, wear your reading glasses and look at the the grid at a comfortable position (30-40cm). Cover one eye Look directly at the centre dot. While looking directly at the dot note whether all lines of the grid are straight or if any areas are distorted, blurred or dark. Repeat the test with the other eye If you experience: distortion or curvy lines blurring holes or spots in some areas of the grid see your ophthalmologist immediately!

Almost Done Shopping

So this weekend we went nuts and spent too much money especially since we need to save for a down payment on our new house we will be purchasing in the next few months.  BUT we are almost done Christmas shopping.  We only need gifts for our secret Santa's and we are done!  It is a small Christmas but it made me really think and get creative. 

For a few years Christmas was getting kind of boring.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed spending time with family and friends but it was a lot of gifts and not enough fun.  This year we have been celebrating for one week so far and it has been so much fun.  Jackson makes everything better.  I am very excited to take him to see Santa.  Maybe next weekend.  We were in Target today and saw an old man wearing a Santa hat with a real white beard (probably a Santa on the side).  Jackson just looked at him and kept playing with his toy.  SO, maybe this is an indication that he will not cry when on Santa's lap.  Crossing my fingers.

Decorating is all done.  I didn't do much this year.  We bought a new pre-lit tree since our old tree took so long to put lights on and my wrists hurt too much to mess with that.  I hope I can find someone who wants it, it is a really nice tree.  This new tree is a little Charlie Brownish but its temporary.  When we know what our new house looks like next year we can get one that fits better.  The wreath is on the door and the stockings are on the mantel and that's all she wrote.

So Much to Be Thankful For

Happy Thanksgiving,

This year, more than most, I have so much to be thankful for.  I am glad to be alive!  I know it sounds dramatic but I really am.  For a while there I was pretty sure I might not be here.  I am so grateful to wake up every morning, even if it is to the sounds of Jackson crying for food.  I am so blessed with a wonderful baby boy.  He is perfect and not in the "I am the mom so he is the best" kind of way.  He really is the best.  I couldn't make it without my partner, my best friend, my husband.  He has made all of this worth it.  With my two boys everything is complete.

I am grateful for my loving supportive family.  My parents and siblings are strong for me when I cannot be strong for myself.  They are encouraging and hopeful when I need it most.  I cant wait to move home and be able to hug them and see their beautiful faces.  I am also excited for them to meet Jackson (he has had some visitors but many haven't had the chance to see him yet).  I miss my Pappy and I am said he never got to see Jackson.  I know he is watching over us now and he is so proud.

I am eternally grateful of my coworkers and friends.  Its those people who helped me not feel like a monster when I know I looked like one.  They treated me like normal and that's all I could ask for.  My friends who checked on me and comforted me. 

It hasn't all been bad this year.  As bad as it was, it was mostly great.  Jackson was born.  I got to spend my pregnancy sharing every experience with my great friend, Vanessa, who also was pregnant and due the same week!  I couldn't have asked for a better person to share that experience with.

It sounds kind of corny but I really hope you embrace all that you have to be thankful for and not just today but everyday.  No specific blessing for today since this whole post is about being thankful! 

Washington Post Article

I found this article on another Lupus blog I subscribe to.  It is a very interesting article about a woman with Lupus who got an infection that wouldn't heal and how they eventually figured it out.  She went through hell as many do with Lupus.  This is a very scary reality for a lot of people and one of the things I fear the most.  When a healthy person gets an infection, they can take meds and heal within 2 weeks most times.  When people with weakened immune systems get an infection it can take forever to heal or, worse, it can be life threatening.  So I try to stay away from "sick people" but that is so hard, especially when the "sick people" are my 7 month old son or my husband.  Here is a clip from the article.

Shanmugam said she was struck by the paradoxical nature of Ayala’s case. Often, she said, aggressive treatment of an underlying autoimmune disorder speeds healing. “But her case was the opposite,” Shanmugam noted. “The more aggressive people got with her lupus, the worse she got.”

Medical Mystery

Today's Blessing:  Having a clean house for tomorrow's festivities.  Happy Thanksgiving Eve Everyone!

I love my dermatologist

Today I had a follow up with my dermatologist.  She said my skin is looking good.  Its a little red in the cheeks but that is probably the result of healing from my flare.  She said my skin biopsy is healing very well.  The only complaint I had was my itchy scalp.  I was given a sample spray for my scalp, can't wait to see if it helps!  It's about time I go to a doctor who said I am doing well.  I only have to see her once every six months unless I have a flare.  In the event my Lupus acts up she is going to be the first person I see!

The dermatologist also said one of the positive things about my horrible relationship with the sun is my skin will be healthier; ie no wrinkles!  Finally some silver lining.

Today's Blessing:  My DVR.  It is so full of wonderful shows I can't wait to watch.  What did we do before DVRs?  I remember missing shows or taping over a show, it was so disappointing.

How to Add a Comment/Become a Follower

I wanted to help my readers out.  Apparently it is a little confusing on how you can become a follower of Lupus & Sprout vs. how to comment. 

Here is some guidance from blogger.

Who are Followers?

Followers are people interested in your blog. They became a follower of your blog by either following your blog via your Following gadget or they followed your blog from their Reading List. When you click to become a follower you can use your GMail account among others.  If you do not have an account you can sign up for one.  Once you sign up to be a follower you will show up as a member.  I think I only have one right now.  You can also just add your email address to have my posts sent directly to you if you'd like.  I am still learning but I cannot figure out how to find out who/how many people are email followers.  BUT if you sign up to be a follower with your account I can see those (plus you can upload a picture as well).

Leaving a Comment:

If you would like to leave a comment, and I hope you do, you have to choose who you want to be displayed as.  When you are finished typing your message hit publish.  A window will pop up with those horrible scrambled numbers/letters and you will have to type the set into the box with a space.  Then it should work.

The more interaction I get from my readers the better the blog will be.  If you need help let me know.

Today's Blessing:  The Internet.  How did we live without it?

I Love Sundays

This might be my favorite day of the week.  Sundays are super relaxing around here.  This morning Jackson slept in until 7 and then we went on a walk around the block.  I enjoy morning walks because it is still cool outside and no one else is out and about.  Today we walked by the mailbox and around the block the long way.  I was pretty tired when we got back but it felt good.  So two days of walking (outlets yesterday) has got to be good for me.  I made sure to use a lot of sunblock and covered up.  Still getting used to by unhealthy relationship with the sun (thanks Lupus).  On the plus side, I got a new hat at Ann Taylor; it's so cute. 

Sundays are great days to catch up on house cleaning and laundry.  I get a lot of satisfaction when my house is clean.  I guess cleaning makes you feel good because you can see fast results and have control over the process.  With Thanksgiving this week I wanted to make sure our house is at least presentable. 

Wearing sweatpants and slippers all day.  Everyone needs a day a week to do that!  Plus, football means sitting back with the hubby eating some yummy snacks.

It doesn't get better than a lazy Sunday.

Today's Blessing:  I forgot to add a blessing to my last post so I will give two today!  First, having the ability to walk.  Being able to move makes you feel good and its good for you.  Second, finding a few pair of pants that actually fit for work.  I have lost 50 lbs since I had Jackson in April (7 months ago).  I think it is the best thing about getting Lupus.