Hydroxychloroquine and the People Who Really Need It Hydroxychloroquine and the People That Really Need It

Living with Sjogren's Syndrome

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – President Trump has openly endorsed the antimalarial drug, hydroxychloroquine, as the solution to combat COVID-19.   Despite the medical warnings from the Food and Drug Administration, and other doctor reports, the president underwent a two-week course of the drug in an effort to prove his theory.

The myth behind the effectiveness of the drug has caused a surge of panic buying, and clinical trials that has left those that really need the drug fearful of a shortage.

Elaine Hauman, of Central New York, has been battling Sjogren’s Syndrome from 18 years.  After trying multiple drugs, hydroxychloroquine proved to be the most effective for treating her symptoms with the least amount of side effects.

“It’s basically telling the immune system ‘stop attacking yourself’… So when it does that, and is effective at that… I can live a pretty normal life,” said Hauman.

Sjogren’s Syndrome is an autoimmune disease that affects the glands that produce saliva and tears.

Hauman takes hydroxychloroquine twice a day to help manage the disease, but she is concerned that the hype surrounding the drug’s possible .. to COVID-19 will cause a serious problem for those that took it to survive before the pandemic.

“The president of the United States saying that it’s a wonder drug, and everyone has got to try it is wrong,”  said Hauman. “What it’s done is made a rarity of the drug now; and for all of us that have autoimmune illnesses that are on it…we are going to be in a lot of trouble if we don’t have that drug.”

If a shortage does occur, Hauman will be able to use other drug and treatments, but the side effects may just be too unbearable.

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