Just a quick question ...I was wondering how many of you have become ill because of weakened immune systems and the use of Enbrel. Humara..remacaid etc.? I work closely with people who are sick( well sometimes...I work in a doctors office) . I am one month into Enbrel shots as well as pred 10 and Sulfasalzine. I have spent the night doing alot of reading and am very concerned .... or maybe a bit too worried.....
Biologic therapy is definitely not something to be taken lightly, but knowing and listening to your body can alert you if things don't seem right. Most RD's will stop the biologic at any sign of illness or infection.
I take my temperature fairly often, and if I think I have been exposed to anything I can treat with anti biotics (but that means getting off the RA meds!, ugh), I see my GP. I had pneumonia in Nov, last year and ended up in the hospital for 7 days!, I was taking mtx and mis diagnosed as having bronchitis. (they found a heart murmur at the same time)We do have to be very careful. Lynda
Hi Chris,
Yes you do need to be aware but try not to worry too much or you'll make yourself ill with it! I work with people too (although not always sick people) and I have a bottle of that alcohol hand gel on my desk to clean my hands after each meeting (especially if I have shaken someone's hand). I also regularly disinfect my computer keyboard and telephone as they are occasionally used by other people. I have given up biting my nails (a bad habit anyway, I know). At the first sign of an infection I am at the GP surgery and have in the past had breaks in meds to get antibiotics. I try to eat a healthy diet and rest when I'm tired (although it doesn't always work). If I know someone is sick I keep away from them.
Have you been told about vaccinations? You need to avoid any live vaccines yourself (ask your Dr if not sure) and also avoid anyone who has had some types of live vaccine (especially the polio live booster given to teenagers which has been proven can infect people in close contact with the person it's given to who are immuno-suppressed).
I hope this helps - stay healthy!
KT
It's really strange but I've been on Enbrel for more than a year now and I haven't been sick (yes - I'm knocking on wood here - ouch). I was very concerned aboutd it because I always get strep throat or sinus infections (being around my son's elementary school friends). Instead, my husband and kids have all gotten sick - I've tended to them and stayed well. It's weird. Maybe my immune system was soooo wacked out that the Enbrel leveled it out???? Don't know.