As some of you know from my previous posts, I suffer a handful of
auto-immune diseases, of which Peyronie's is one, but I also suffer Ulcerative Colitis, Vitiligo, and something called Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (and possibly other I don't yet know about!) Yeah, I'm an
auto-immune train wreck!
My Rheumatologist has just put me on a two-year course of Hydroxychloroquine, which is an anti-malarial known as a DMARD (Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drug). (Yes, it was also touted for a while, erroneously, as a COVID preventative, which simply isn't true. But if you've heard of it, that's probably why.) Rheumatologists have long used it for people with Lupus, or Rheumatoid Arthritis, as it modifies the immune system and acts in some capacity as an anti-inflammatory, taming the so-called cytokine storm that people with
auto-immune conditions often face. It's also an insurance policy to prevent people like me from developing Lupus.
Now, I've searched and searched and can't find any connection whatsoever between Hydroxychloroquine and Peyronies. I asked my Rheumatologist if it might help in some way and he said he doesn't think so, but that it won't hurt me either.
Even though I can't find any connection, I find descriptions of HC calming
inflammation pathways and reducing immune response to be slightly hopeful. At any rate, as I am in the midst of a Peyronies Disease flair, I can at least offer some anecdotal experience if HC does anything during the next months. I'll revisit this thread if I notice any effect.
Incidentally, I expect my Gastroenterologist to put me on a "Biologic" like Humira before the end of the year, so that too will be the subject of another thread to explore whether it has any positive effect. Granted, no one is going to want to jump on a lifetime Biologic unless it were a sure-fire "cure," but we need anecdotal evidence nonetheless, and since I'm in an active stage, I seem like a good test subject.
As I say, I just started Hydroxychloroquine today, so I'll revisit in a few weeks if I see or feel any changes whatsoever.
Best,
nemo