Question for those on Anti-TNF

cthornley

I know that you are supposed to be vigilant about infections but not paranoid so where do you draw the line

I have a sore throat and deep seated cough (green flem sorry if thats TMI) its ok in the day except its wiping me out a bit by about 3/4 o'clock in the afternoon but its sore and uncomfortable at night

Pre- Anti-TNF I would have marked it down to winter - take cold remedies and got on with it, but this feels different somehow but I don't know if its Anti-TNF paranoia or if I shoukd wait a bit and see how it progresses

My reluctance in getting it checked out is - the huge waiting time at GP's and having to take time off work and the fact that I've only just finished a nasty 3mth course of vile antibiotics for latent TB and am sick of additional drugs

What would you do?
Chrissie

BikerAngel

Hi I am not on Anti TNF but they are speaking about putting me on them poss at my visit this month. However I would phone doc and speak to them over phone and see what they advise if you can just to be sure x

dreamdaisy

Please check your temperature and ring your rheumatology department for advice as soon as you can. Chest infections/sore throats are not to taken lightly when on these meds (I had a bout of pharyngitis recently which involved two weeks of penicillin and three weeks without humira and meth. ) Please be wise, Chrissie, and do both of those things as soon as you can. DD

jillyb1

I'm on humira and must admit that I tend to be a bit paranoid about my health and jabs . My advice would be to call your rheumy nurse before you jab again ; just to be sure ! Jillyb

salamander

I always go to the doctor when I'm in your situation. They always put me on antibiotics (on 2nd course at the moment for chest infection.)

I am told not to take anti tnfs whilst you have an infection or on antibiotics and not until five days afterwards. Your rheumy nurse will advise you on their policy.

Hope you feel better soon.

salamander

I always go to the doctor when I'm in your situation. They always put me on antibiotics (on 2nd course at the moment for chest infection.)

I am told not to take anti tnfs whilst you have an infection or on antibiotics and not until five days afterwards. Your rheumy nurse will advise you on their policy.

Hope you feel better soon.

cthornley

I phoned the 'anti-TNF helpline' at the hospital who phoned me back half an hour later... Said that if it had just been a cough & sore throat the would have said just keep an eye on it but because there was green flem to get a GP appointment straight away to get checked out
Phoned GP's and repeated what hospital had said ... Got a GP's appointment for 5.30
Just got back and have **** antibiotics
Was quite amusing tho.. New dr , very nice friendly , quite thorough told me I'd done the right thing.
Left and was on my way to the chemist and my phone rang... tWas the dr again... "sorry I've been having a think about mtx and the antibiotics can you come back right now and I'll give you a different one"
He thought he should educate himself in more detail after I'd gone re humira & MTx and realised he should give me something else :roll:
So went back to find apologetic GP and new prescription
Now have a weeks course of anti-booting with strict instructions to not ignore it if it gets worse or doesn't get better in the week
Thanks for the replies - I tend to doubt myself as I'm a bit of a don't make a fuss brigade and dr hubby is more than blasé about all health conditions not related to his specialty :roll:
Chrissie

cthornley

So much for the antibiotics - took first dose this morning and have been constantly throwing up since, just waiting for docs to open now so I can get some advice :???:
Chrissie

dreamdaisy

Well done to that GP for considering his possible error, I hope the vomiting is the pills rather than a development to the bug: if it is the former then it can be easily corrected (I hope). Take care, keep warm and hydrated and please let us know how you get on. DD

cthornley

The vomiting was the antibiotics, and was quite unpleasant but got a new set that I started this morning and 3 doses in and I seem to be fine, I hope it chases off the cough as thats got worse. I am now getting a taste for australian ginger beer so the further enforced alcohol drought shouldn't be too bad.
Chrissie

BikerAngel

Hope the meds are working and you feel better and the cough is settling now x

dreamdaisy

Hi Chrissie, I am pleased to hear that the new tablets are better suited to you, but if the infection is not ccompletely cleared by the end of the course then please go and get some more: if you resume the anti TNF too soon there's always a chance that the bug will come back. :roll: What a life, eh? Take care. DD