Anti tnfs and infections

salamander
salamander Member Posts: 1,906
edited 25. Sep 2011, 05:06 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hello everyone, thought I would drop in and ask a question....
does anyone else on anti tnfs get constant infections (throat, chest, stomach bugs, wound....and that's just in the last 6 months!)
As you can see, I am having problems and seem to be off the drugs more than I am on them. I take Cimzia, apparently it is the worst for infections. What are you experiences of the other drugs?

Hope everyone is well!

Comments

  • Ankyspond
    Ankyspond Member Posts: 626
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi,

    I have been on Enbrel since last November and only had one chest infection in December last year. So sorry to hear you having such a bad time of it. Xx
    AS Sufferer
    Live, love and enjoy life, live each day as though it's your last!
  • dorcas
    dorcas Member Posts: 3,516
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi salamander :grin:

    I'm on Tocilizumab .. started in June and have already had UTI and chest infections twice. It was a similar story when I was on Humira.

    I guess the lowering of our immune defences and subsequent sensitivity to infection is the price we pay for the benefits of these great drugs.... and I for one feel it's a good trade off. :wink:

    I've not had the anti tnfs stopped at any time due to infections.... just treated with anti-biotics until the infection's cleared. :?: so the practice does seem to vary depending on which hospital rheummy you attend.

    Hope you are ok otherwise?... nice to see you :grin:

    Iris xx
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sal,

    Can't help you but just wanted to say hi and leave you a ((( ))) Cris xx
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Recurrent infections are a trouble for some. I am currently off the humira and meth as I have a cold/chest infection (not sure how it's going to pan out as yet) and I will stay off them until it has cleared. I guess this happens to me about twice a year and I generally feel better in myself when I miss the meds. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,838
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sal

    just popped in to say a quick hello to you and hope all is well otherwise.

    Makes sense that your imminue system being down you will be ill-er than normal. Worth checking with 'someone' when you next see them if it is intolerable???

    Love

    Toni xx
  • salamander
    salamander Member Posts: 1,906
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Gang! Good to see you are all still around :) and thanks for your comments.

    Yes, Lynn, I am cheesed off and somewhat confused. My consultant said to only come off the Cimzia if I have a bacterial infection but my rheumy nurse said same goes for viral. I have been on and off it ever since I started. She also said that people on Cimzia are getting more infections so they might move me over to something else.

    Got mixed feelings about it all as drug works well and my mobility has improved but I am spending more and more time at home ill with other things. I have also been told I can't go back on Cimzia once I've officially stopped it so, if the other stuff doesn't work, I'm in trouble. Tricky.

    I do check in and read posts from time to time btw!
    xx
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,838
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    salamander wrote:
    Hi Gang! Good to see you are all still around :) and thanks for your comments.


    I do check in and read posts from time to time btw!
    xx


    Yes we're still here and pleased to see you!

    Love

    toni xx
  • salamander
    salamander Member Posts: 1,906
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    thanks toni! It's just I found myself getting a little bit repetitive! Always good to have a break from time to time.
  • dopeykit
    dopeykit Member Posts: 107
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello,

    Yes I get a load of infections but actually been a lot better since my folic was upped and I started taking vitamin C with zinc everday (which my consultant swears by!) .

    Sorry to hear you are having such a rotten time of it!

    Kit
    www.cookingwitharthur.com
    Healthy, tasty recipes for living well with arthritis
  • salamander
    salamander Member Posts: 1,906
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Kit, I'm not on methotrexate so not taking folic acid. Also was told not to take any supplements to boost my immune system, slightly defeats the purpose of immuno suppressants!
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I was told that as well salamander, it does not make sense to knock it on the head with the drugs then boost it with other stuff - surely they cancel each other out.

    The cold/infection turned out to be pharyngitis, I am on penicillin and in an immuno-suppressant free zone for at least another week. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • silverbirch
    silverbirch Member Posts: 63
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I am on Planaquil and get very few infections, i still get a lot of flare-ups though, suffering at the moment with my knuckles, its strange that one day its in my right hand and wrist and the next day its in my left, very difficult to shop at the moment as I have difficulty lifting the carrier bags.
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,281
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi sal
    Its good to have you back with us, but sorry you are suffering, sorry I cant help, but I can see you have already had some answers.
    Hope you feel better very soon.
    Love
    Barbara
  • salamander
    salamander Member Posts: 1,906
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    hi DD, sorry to hear you are under the weather, so to speak! Hope you get better soon. Do you up your steroids when you have to come off the other stuff?

    Silverbirch, I was told by my consultant that Plaquenil has the least side effects of any of the dmards. Not only did it not work for me but I developed a rash and had to come off it. I was then moved onto an anti tnf - which works a lot better but has completely knocked my immune system for six.

    Hi barbara! thanks for your message. Yes, I'm back :)
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Steroids and me are very nearly history. I have devoted this year to coming off them and I am currently alternating between 2.5 for one day and 2 mgs for two. Is short-term life better? A resounding no. Will long-term life be better by means of avoiding further problems? I flaming well hope so. :lol: DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • silverbirch
    silverbirch Member Posts: 63
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi DD, I don't think they are the best :| but others I have tried have made me ill, so I'll stick with these for the moment.

    Thanks for your reply.
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    My apologies silverbirch, I was replying to salamander but I didn't make that clear. I think you mentioned that your arthritis appears to 'move' - it can do this - have you thought about a wheeled shopper? It does help with the lifting aspect of shopping. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • salamander
    salamander Member Posts: 1,906
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    you are doing better than me DD, I am stuck on 5mg, having had to go up to 15 to sort out a nasty shoulder problem. Can't live with them, can't live without them at the moment.
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    My reasoning is that I am used to the pain and the crutches aren't ever going to go. I can cope with this, but whether I could cope with osteoporosis is another thing altogether. I quite like the idea of falling over and not breaking bones. A bad fall in my kitchen just over a month ago confirmed that this is the right course for me. I won't lie though, it takes a deal of stubborness! :smile: (Having the middle name 'Mule' helps too!)
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • silverbirch
    silverbirch Member Posts: 63
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Appologies from me DD, I was answering salamander re the planequil, don't know what I'm doing half the time.

    I need to look into a wheeled shopper it would help a lot when the pain is in my hands.
  • dibdab
    dibdab Member Posts: 1,498
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Salmander, feeling for you. I'm on Sulfasalazine and Plaquinel a
    having had to stop methotrexate after 8 courses of anitbiotics in 3 months for chest/sinus infections. Now I'm having the same problem-8 infections in 11 months so have to keep stopping RA treatment- joints are rubbish and I'm thoroughly fed up with myself! Just thank the Lord for a supportive family and tolerant headteacher who has let me reduce my working week as teacher-sometimes wonder how much longer I can stick with it as ateacher.

    Hope you get sorted with the meds-take care of yourself.
  • salamander
    salamander Member Posts: 1,906
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    My sympathies to you too Dibdab. It's tough. I can't plan anything at all as I never know how I'm going to be. Half dead most of the time so far :!:

Categories