Question Humira and Outside Illnesses | Arthritis Information

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whoops, current medications:

plaq, 300mg/day, mtx 25mg/week, humira every other week (no idea the amount)

also I'm anemic, which I'm taking iron supps for and have anxiety, which I am taking an herbal supp. thanks!
Strep typically causes intense throat pain, high fever, and little to no nasal congestion issues.  Perhaps you just have a head cold and/or allergies.  Has your rheumatologist discussed what to do in the event of suspected colds/flu/strep/infection?  My understanding is that extra precaution is warranted when taking immune suppressant drugs. His only warning was kind of a vague "email me if something bad happens"... Three cheers for Kaiser....

I think I'm going to go by the campus health center this week and get checked up...
I'm not on Humira, on Enbrel but I have noticed an increase of sinus related infections and catching colds easier than normal.  Fortunately I haven't had anything really bad or anything that takes forever to get rid of...YET.  Good luck and feel better!Hi.......I have bronchiectasis (lung disease) as well as RA. I was also put on Humira and was told also if I got and infection I was to contact RD immediately.  For 8mths I felt great until I developed a very bad lung infection, which I was hospitalized & had to have a small procedure & drain, it was a horrible experience.  I have been on Orencia for the last 5 months (which I have now stopped as I am starting AP), but I still think the Humira & Orencia made my chest infections a lot worse.

 
I do think you should see your doctor about it ASAP, as it took 3 visits and a lot of pain before the docs finally realized I had an infection, as the meds were suppressing my symptoms..........I do hope you feel better soon....Annie
Hi There, First off, you need to contact your doctor.  If no response and you're still like this tomorrow or worse go to one of the 24 hour clinics and get checked out.  I'm on Humira and have been for a year and to date have had no infections except for a sinus infection that disappeared after taking antibiotics.  If you're on dmards and biologics and develop cold, sinus, chest symptoms you need to be seen by your doctor.  Don't wait.  Take care and I hope that you're doing better tomorrow.  LindyAre you getting the proper blood work done?  A co-worder had a call from her RA DR that her white blood count was too high and to stop the Methx until it was normal again.  I think she waited a couple of weeks and had another blood test.  She had a cold.  My thoughts are the blood tests would alert them to something. 
 
I have been on Humira for a long time--maybe 3 years--knock on wood--I have not had a cold or infection with this stuff.  I do take EVERY pecaution I can--such as washing hands A LOT!  I try to stay away from people that are sick but every once in awile someone caughs or sneezes on me!!!!!!!!!!!  HOW RUDE!  I have never been given "instructions"  if I get one.  I guess if I felt really yucky--I would certainly call the office.  However, backtracking a bit, when I first started going to the RA dr and he rxed the Mthx, he did say be careful of colds,--then I asked do I call him if I am sick.  He said to call the primary care dr--not him.  When he added the Humira--there was no warnings--I just had to have the TB test come back negative and then the nurse instructed me on the injections. 
 
If you are feeling like something is wrong--I would call and run it by them.  I think you might need some help with what is going on.  Hope you feel better soon. 


Jasmine - Yes, I think it's just head cold... My doctor got back to me and said to treat it like you would the flu and if I became short of breath or developed fever/chills to contact him

Audrey - Sounds like you've had good luck with Humira! Hopefully I'll do the same. And thank you :)

Annie - Blegh, that sounds terrible, I'm so sorry :( My doctor said only to contact him if I got a fever and otherwise do bedrest, etc... But I think I'm going to the campus health center this week anyway, just to make sure. Thanks for sharing!

Lin - I am definitely feeling no worse today, I wonder if that counts as better? Lol... But yeah, I'm going to the campus health center this week to make sure it's not an infection of any kind. Thank you for your advice :)

Catnip - Yeah, I could probably stand to be more careful being around my friends who are sick... Also I work with a classful of 7 year olds everyday, and you know how it is working with kids! One gets sick and the whole school is down with the cold... But yeah, I get in touch with my doctor (see above) and I'm going to get checked out this week.

Thanks for your support everyone! It's really nice to know that the message board is still here for me even if I'm a no-show most of the time. Hope everyone has a good sunday :)


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