biologics and cancer study | Arthritis Information

Hmmm...interesting. Guess we really do need that high SPF sunscreen and to wear a hat this summer! And stay int he coolness of the shade!

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=56502

Remember many of the first line RA meds such as MTX, plaquinel, and sulfasalazine all have photosensitivity as a side effect.

Sunscreens and hats should be a daily part of our routine irregardless of which med we are on...

Oooooo I burn normally!!!! I have always had to wear sunscreen or I look like a lobster!! I posted this because awhile back there was some controversery on staying out of the sun or not when on these meds. I just wanted people to see that it really is a good idea to wear sunscreen and hats especially if you are on these meds. You can get skin cancer anyways without being on these meds, but now our chances for that are even higher!

Let me also say that from my 20 years of experience on meds that cause photosensitivity, that when you stop the med, the sensitivity doesn't always leave right away.

And when you are on several different meds that cause that effect, the effect can be multiplied.

A coworker insists that calcium lactate (must be specifically that type) taken on a daily basis can help with the hives and rashes. I've never gotten around to trying it...I already take too many things.

Mostly I stay out of the sun, or try to be extremely careful. When I take a dip in my complex's pool, I don't go until after 4:30/5:00 pm, I stay in the shady side, I don't stay long, and I wear a high SPF all over, including the tops of my feet (which somehow still react to the sun even when they're at the bottom of the water). Once I forget to put sunscreen on the area behind my underarms...OMG what a bad reaction.

PS - That pool routine was last summer, before I started RA meds. I don't even know if I should dare this summer.

InnerGlow39220.3757407407I was warned about the sun and mtx but not with the Humira, thanks Liz. I am not a burner but i do cover up and use sunscreen but being in the UK it gives me a false sense of security come the summer but our sun has become increasinly hot over the last few years.

You might want to still consider the pool routine this summer only if you feel up to it. Slather on that sunscreen tho! I also recently read an article that we can be sensitive to the UV light from flourescent lights in our home or offices and the article recommended sun screen at work! I will see if I can dig that one up and post it too.

I would definitely be interested in that...especially since I work for a company that makes fluorescent lights!

I'll see if anyone here at work knows about this...

It seems to me that our doctors should know all of the precautioins we should be taking and informing us of them. I mean, skin cancer is pretty major! If we are at increased risk being on these drugs that's something they should know about and warn us about. Is it me???? Originally, there were a lot of ill informed people scaring us with all kinds of
cancers with the TNF's. Nice to see its only the skin kind and that is
common, as has been mentioned, with many of the meds we take. Along
with our meds many antibiotics cause the same effect. Guess its smart to
check with our pharmacist. Bee

Honey,

I agree with you to a certain extent. How about us being responsible as patients. have you read the side effects on meds? There are a ton of them. The doctor cannot possibly inform us of EVERY single one. I think we should take some personal responsibility and know what we are taking, what it does and what the side effects are. We can't be spoon fed every bit of information about every drug.

For me, I am concerned about skin cancer with or without the drugs. So, taking Pred, MTX or enbrel doesn't effect the way I am in the sun.

Phats

Phats,

Excellent post...I read the side effects of all the meds I take and if I have questions, I ask them. People need to step up and take personal responsibilty for their healthcare. That means reading up on treatments and meds.

Sarah

I read those sheets that Walgreens gives you when you pick up your meds. If there is something on there I have a question about or don't understand I hit the internet or ask one of my docs about it. And I have saved my sheets on mtx, humira, and pred.

The sun...ugh...my enemy lol. I have to worry about skin cancer with or without these meds too. So, this summer as usual, we will be taking out stock in sunscreen.

Well, wasn't going to post about skin cancer but after reading this thread thought I'd share with you. Yes, my RD told me to use sun screen and wear a hat but I do that anyway. I educate myself about the meds I'm on. I read everything about complications, etc. and also read the studies and research. An immune suppressant med. will undoubtly put you at risk for skin cancers.

I had a biopsy of a very small bump on my nose 2 weeks ago and it turned out to be basal cell carcinoma. On Friday I'm having a Moh's excision and a graft. Believe me this isn't something that I need right now because I'm facing a knee replacement as soon as I can get medically cleared.

Wear a hat, sunscreen and also sun glasses because sun can cause cataracts. One of the complications from long term Pred. use is cataracts so why increase your chances of cataracts? Wear your sun glasses.

Liz, thanks for posting the article. I saw it earlier in the week but we just got a new computer and router and have been setting the network the last couple of days. I haven't posted for a couple of days.