A Question... | Arthritis Information

How do you know when your immune system is surpressed?

Good question, Joonie!!! I know that there is something in your bloodwork results, that can show your rheumy that your meds are successfully suppressing your immune system. For me, I knew my immune system was suppressed when I began catching every cold that came down the pike, and instead of them lasting just a week or so, they would last for 3-4 weeks!!! But I guess the main indicator was that I had significantly less pain and swelling in various joints, and finally my doctor declaring that my RA was in "clinical remission" - yay!!! What meds are you on now - is it Remicade? I pray that this works well for you...........

Dogmom
I know when my white blood cell count gets too low my dr. decreases my mtx. rocckyd2009-01-14 16:35:15Hi Joonie, my labs indicating an infection are always normal and the only indication was I achieved clinical remission. To date, I haven't been chronically ill with infections. No colds or URI, a couple of sinus infections that cleared. When we first got to Mexico I got bit by a bug called noseeums (because they're so small) and it took 5 weeks for the bites to heal and they got infected. I used several tubes of Polysporin cream on them. That's the only indication for me. LindyThanks for the replies everyone!

You know how they say these meds we are on will surpress our immune system? Well... I do not think my immune system has been surpressed any since my RA had gotten worse.

I remember when my RA first started getting bad again after having my daughter and was put on Arava that I would get sick a lot. But not viruses, just colds and flus.

Prednisone is suppose to surpress your immune system, I do not think it has ever surpressed it even when being on 20mg of it. I always had swelling, inflammation and pain. On higher doses like the 20mg those symptoms were less, but they were always still there.

Even when on 5mg of pred, the swelling, pain & inflammation was still like I had not even taken pred.

I guess I am just worried about this weaning of the prednisone, I am doing. Because I know I need it to help me along. I know it would be way way worse without the pred. It helps me to be functional. And it helps me greatly with stiffness. Which for me is one of the worse symptoms for me to have to deal with, because my stiffness lasts all day.