I am so frustrated.
How many of you have problems with infections while on the biologics? I
was taken off Remicade because of concerns over infections. The final
straw was when I had cellulitis around the eye. My last dose was back in
June. Well, the RD gave me the summer to see how things were going
and the RA reared it's head again. So, I started Orencia. I have had two
loading doses so far-that last one being on Wed. Well, I ended up at the
Dr. today with...you guessed it...Cellulitis around the eye again.
AARRGGHH.
Opthomalogist will be calling RD on Monday. My biggest fear is that the
Orencia will be yanked away as well. I think it is working...I have felt
better this week. Better than in a long time.
This just makes me so mad!
Becky
Becky there are huge warnings with Biologics with Dormant infections. Infections that are usually controlled by the body, but rear their head when the immune system is surpressed. I think that is what Katie was getting to. You need to be very careful and take all of the antibiotics perscribed...also...you do need to wait for your next biologic infusion. I am hoping and praying that they will not have to yank the Orencia, and I am glad you are seeing results from it. It is hard to give something up that is actually helping.
Take care and rest. Remeber that you will have to change all of your eye makeup, and contact lenses. Sorry, but any time you get an infection around or in the eye you must toss everything you put around the eye.
Becky,
I am so sorry that your having this problem. Sending you a great big hug!!! We are practically neighbors so if there is anything I can ever do for you please don't hesitate to ask. I hope they don't take away you orencia.... I hope your eye feels better soon!!!
I had to go off of Methotrexate about 2 years ago due to infections and spent a week in the hospital. After that, I went into a huge "flare" and never felt worse in my life. Luckily I pressed on and was able to get back on MTX and went on Enbrel (now Remicade) and got my life back. God bless and don't give up!Thanks guys. The eye looks alot better this morning. Still hurts like
crazy but it looks pretty normal. My vision was down in it alot yesterday
and it is still blurry today. I have been putting drops in every 4 hours. I
guess I just have to see what the Rheumy says tomorrow.
I thought about you yesterday Angy. I went first to urgent care and then
they sent me over to Lewis Gale since that is where Vistar Eye Center sees
emergency patients after hours. I use to see Blaylock over there until I
switched.
Is it the same infection over and over?
Could you be put on long term antibiotic therapy along with a biologic? Do any of the Docs do this?
It just seems a shame to have a biologic help and have to quit it because of infection.
You can be on long term AP and biologics at the same time, but I'm not sure if it's helpful for all kinds of infections. However, eventually you might find you don't need the biologics anymore. Being on a daily antibiotic is an option for some infections. For instance-