Immune function testing | Arthritis Information

I've recently had a bout with shingles and cellulitis but have been told by several physicians that the shingles is all but gone and the cellulitis is nearly resolved with some mild swelling and tenderness still around the area at varying times of the day. About a week after being discharged from the hospital I caught the cold that my wife had developed and apparently a week later it has now turned into a sinus infection. (great another antibiotic)

I was on humira, mtx, and prednisone 70mg., I haven't had the humira in a month, and no mtx in 3 1/2 weeks now. The only thing I still have is the prednisone and 70mg is a huge dose I know but how much could this be affecting my recovery? This dose of steroids is really starting to scare the heck out of me as it just seems like I keep getting hit with one thing after another and nothing is getting better. The scabs from the shingles are almost all gone, but the cellulitis is the thing that REALLY has me concerned. It doesn't seem to be worrying any of the physicians that have seen it though.

I know that there are lab tests that can give an idea of immune function like T-cell levels as well as CBC and other immuneglobulin levels. My question is how might one go about delicately requesting to their physician that these be done to assess my immune systems compentency to fight infection?

Without the mtx and humira my RA is starting to show it's ugly face again so I'd really like to get the problem rooted out and fixed so that I can take my meds and feel a bit better again.

Any suggestions?

Bob H.

Wow---that is a LOT of prednisone. That stops your immune system in its tracks by itself, wouldn't it? I don't know about all the tests except CBC is what I get every month b/c I'm on MTX. Hi Bob. Sorry to hear of your troubles. Seems to me you know exactly how to ask the doc. You have captured it very well above. Just come right out and step him through your posting here. Even if you feel you need to read it directly from print. You pay a lot for the medical services and the doc should be willing to discuss your fears with you.

If they won't run the test at least you can have some meaningful dialog and get them to step you through their reasoning as to why they are not concerned.

Bob -

With all the antibiotics, please tell me they gave you industrial strength probiotics. Please. If not, please, go get some yourself. Get the most 'live cultures' and the most different strains in the refrigerated section of your local vitamin shop. Non-APers here on AI have reported serious drops in pain levels.

Pip

Wow that is a lot of prednisone. When I was on 40 mg a day I was only sleeping an hour at night. It was tough. I'd like to know your physician's response to your question about immune system and testing. My rheumy is not a good communicator. I hope your's is better than mine. I've been wondering does your immune system start to improve as you slowly lower your prednisone? Does anyone know anything about that? Good luck Bob.

Cathy

I assume that once you taper down on the drug causing the problem that the side effects will reverse over time. I do know that if you develop iatrogenic cushing's disease that once the dose is reduced or stopped, the symptoms begin to fo away. I'd have to say yes things will improve after lowering the dose. This is the highest I've even been on prednisone. The previous high dose was 40mg daily. My physician is hard to get in touch with too but I blame this on the staff there as she has always sat as long as it takes and answered questions during office visits.

I like to keep copys of my lab results here at the house in my own personal med record and I was doing some looking back last night. I was worried about my lymphocyte count on this dose, but looking back, they are nearly the same even before I went past 15mg daily of pred so I don't think my immunity is the problem here. I just think it's possible that I have the worst luck of any human being.

thanks all

Bob