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
I don't have any info on Hydroxychloroquine in regards as such. FYI my dad was on Remicade
for a very long time for similar issues as yourself and had success with the drug. It did lower his bodily inflammation markers in his body and gave him relief. The downside was the cost of the medication.
Thanks for sharing that, Mikel7. Yes, Remicade and Humira are the two options I'll have. Remicade requires a monthly infusion (like chemotherapy) while Humira is a shot you take at home. Remicade is older and arguably a bit more effective, but yes, they're both outrageously expensive.
nemo
This would probably treat your recent Peyronie's flare up imo.
Please update us.
Two weeks on Hydroxychloroquine and nothing to report. No changes to Peyronie's or anything else that I can tell.
nemo
Ask your doctor to prescribe you Ivermectin. I'd bet it has a better shot at helping.
Based on what?
https://www.peyroniesforum.net/index.php/topic,16519.0.html
To be honest i doubt any oral medications can reverse fibrosis once it has happened. i been trying a range of supplements for months and while they might have helped slowing the growth of scars, they surely aren't eliminating or reducing size.
i think ved/traction are more effective also based on the success a lot of users have with these.
OK, Ivermectin has nothing to do with Hydroxychloroquine, which is the subject of this thread. This isn't a thread to throw out any drug that you think might help Peyronies Disease - there are threads for that; I was attempting to document if I have any benefit from one specific drug - Hydroxychloroquine.
nemo
Sorry if it seemed that way. They are both C19 drugs, and there's data showing IVM has helped many people with the inflammation from C19. Since the vaccine was a probable trigger for your flare up, I thought it was related and brought it up. Just trying to help.
My Rheumatologist isn't giving me Hydroxychloroquine because of Covid, he's giving it to me in a two-year course to, as he puts it, "be an insurance policy against getting lupus," and to help with the fatigue and joint pain of Mixed Connective Tissue Disorder.
nemo