Shot or no shot? | Arthritis Information

Hi,

I came down with a cold yesterday. I was achy, my ears hurt some and my eyes and nose are running. When I blow my nose, the tissue has clear snot. (I know TMI). I feel so much better today. No aches, ear don't hurt, but I am still sneezing, coughing some and blowing my nose. SO, tomorrow is supposed to be my enbrel shot day. Should I hold off? Even though I feel better and my mucous is clear. I don't have a fever. I would call my rd tomorrow but she is no longer with the clinic and I don't have one right now. SO, what do you all think?

thanks

take care

CinDee, I personally wound't inject. It wouldn't hurt to wait another day or so and see is something develops. Some people will tell you go ahead but I wouldn't take the chance at my age. You might be younger and healthier. I usually err on the side of caution. Hope you feel better soon. LindyYes Cindee, I agree with Lyn, it won't hurt to wait a couple of days, good luck Janie. If it were me and their was no fever and my cough wasn't too bad, I'd go ahead and take it. But it's probably better to just wait an extra day or so.

I'd wait it out for a couple days if you're ok without it. Better safe than sorry. I got really, really sick once because I knew I was getting sick and didn't want to skip my injection. I ended up having to miss a whole month because I got extrememly sick.

What about your GP? My GP or NP will see me quickly and usually prescribe me something just as a precaution. They know I don't abuse that option but they also know if I come in it's because I know I'm getting sick. Often they'll prescribe an antibiotic just to be on the safe side due to my meds. I'm rarely sick though....And they know that.

UPDATE

I awoke this morning and had a fever and diarrhea with major aches all over. So I didn't do the shot. I feel much better tonight but plan on waiting a couple of days to see how I goes.

thanks for your input

take care

If enbrel is one of the TNF inhibitors, it may not matter whether you take it or not. RDr told me to withhold Mtx for one dose (weekly inj) when I get a virus because it doesn't help decrease TNF, only increase it, so the illness will last longer and hit me harder. But, maybe there is no problem like that with Enbrel.

You can always call your doctor to check, if you haven't been instructed what to do if you get sick. I appreciate when drs do that. I know about skipping one Mtx if I get sick and I know to double dose my Atenolol if I'm having a sustained arrythmia increase for a week (apparently those of us with mitral valve prolapse just do that 1-3 times/yr). It's very helpful to know what to do for the short term.

Of course you clean your hands, vial, skin really thoroughly every time, so your injection site should be fine, even with a virus in you.

I hate being sick like that. I hope you are over it very soon.

CathyMarie