leflunomide and ear infection hrlp!

suzster
suzster Member Posts: 1,328
edited 15. Feb 2010, 06:49 in Living with Arthritis archive
i started leflunomide about 4 weeks ago, since about a week after i started them i've had an earache / infection.
i've had steroid ear drops and 2 different antibiotic tablets now and it is still so sore and painful but i feel like a hypochondriac going to the dr's again, could the leflunomide be stopping the infection going or is it just a stubborn infection?
any ideas anyone?
hopefully someone can help as it's keeping me awake and grumpy sue is getting grumpier!!
sue[/u]

Comments

  • snowball
    snowball Member Posts: 3,465
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sue a have been taking leflunomide 20mg for a few years never had any problems, have you looked on the information sheet in the box ? hope yuo are feeling better soon.
    Julie
    ((((hugs)))) n xxxxx to ya all
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,136
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sue

    Poor you :(

    Is it definitely your ear?? Only saying coz when my jaw was playing up it certainly felt like my ear...?

    Hope you feel better soon.

    Love

    Toni xx
  • Wonkylegs
    Wonkylegs Member Posts: 3,504
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    when I had a run of infections shortly after the dose of Leflunomide was upped, I had to stop taking both the Leflunomide and the MTX until the infections had cleared.

    The Lefllunomide stays in your system much longer than the other drugs, so you are unlikely to miss it too much , and it really does stop you fighting infections , as it lowers your immunity.

    I was told not to take it when taking antibiotics by my rheumy nurse, and because I had 5 weeks of infections they cut the dose of leflunomide that they gave me.

    I would suggest that you contact (or get your GP to contact) your rheumatology team to ask for advice ..... as it can't be good to be in pain for so long.

    hugs
    Wonky
  • suzster
    suzster Member Posts: 1,328
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    i've left a message on my rheumy nurses answer machine so hopefully she'll ball back soon. although her message says she usually returns calls on wednesday and thursdays (they are her clinic days) so i may have to wait!
    meanwhile night-times are worst, i wake up loads because of pain but i think i need to speak to nurse before seeing gp again. today is the last day of my antibiotics and theres been no improvement.
    although some of the pain maybe my jaw the most is my ear and my hearing is now getting worse.
    oh well, i'll wait and see what the rheumy nurse says, thank you for your replies, i have to say my mood is getting worse, but tiredness does that!
    sue
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,136
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sue

    Good luck at the docs -

    You take care

    Love

    Toni xx

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