Tocilizumab... new allergies???

charleeh
charleeh Member Posts: 173
edited 27. Nov 2013, 17:44 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hiya all,

I hope everyone is well and enjoying the warmer weather!!

Just an odd topic here, I have had pets all my life (lots of pets, cats and a dog at present) and since November 2012 I have started getting itchy when I fuss my pets, my eyes go red and I have to wash my hands and face!... i have had patchy rashes but not often.

Had any one else had this??

Also I think I may have had a bit of a reaction to pollen too!

.... pet lovers don't be worried, my pets are getting fussed still - I have got a blanket my cat sits on while on my lap now and I just have to wash my hands with soap every time I fuss them... an inconvenience to me but they have not been bothered by it lol! :lol:

Best wishes,

Charleeh

Comments

  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I think one can develop allergies at any time. I never had hay fever as a child but I do as an adult. Also, as an adult, I have to wash my hands and arms immediately after going near tomato plants whereas in my younger days I could touch them as much as needed.

    The tociluzimab might be a factor in your case though. Have you been given any instructions about it?
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    My various intolerances eased when I was put onto the immuno-suppressants so this may be worth raising with your rheumatology unit. I think it's the dander which is the root of the trouble and that gets everywhere. When I was a child (and before there were the meds there are now) relatives would make a huge song-and-dance about shutting their various animals out of the room when I visited but it made no difference: streaming eyes, itchiness and a lovely asthma attack after about half an hour was always the outcome. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,896
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Charleeh

    Not me, but a very good friend has developed an allergy to her cat. She uses the forum so I will drop her a text.

    love

    Toni xxx
  • janie68
    janie68 Member Posts: 1,186
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Charleeh

    Funnily enough, this happened to me too! I had my lovely Siamese cat sine she was a kitten, before my various TNF treatments started. But in about Nov 2011, Istarted to experience syyptoms similar to yours. I was already on an anithistamine which managed my allergies no problem at all, so off I trotted to the GP who duly changed my antihistamine. No change at all, Iwas on Orencia at this point, it got worse, Itried to plod on, then my asthma became bad.

    I just wanted to say, that it has happened to me too, are you on an antihistamine? I would maybe ring the rheumy nurse/biologics nurse for advice too. I have been on Tocilizumab too, that had to be stopped due to side effects. And yes, my asthma got worse with that too! Which I think is allergy related at that time as well.

    Get medical advice, as if it is side effects from the anti tnf, then they need to know. And I hope you get help, pets are family.

    Janie xx
  • charleeh
    charleeh Member Posts: 173
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hey thanks everyone - I will defo mention it when I see the Rheumy nurse the end of the month. Apart from that I have had no side effects (touch wood lol)

    It seems to be working really well so far - only having a half dose!

    When I had a full dose it lowered my immune system and I had a noro virus then cellulitis in both feet! ... got rid of the celulitis and went on holiday to america and then it came back and I had to see a doc over there (I am still trying to sort out my travel insurance :roll: )

    Currently I am on long term anti biotics to ensure the cellulitis don't come back wheile I am having treatment.

    I'd rather stick to a half dose if I can manage - as they have told me that this is the last resort drug they can give me :cry:

    Never mind ay... staying positive

    Thanks again for your replies!!

    Best wishes,

    Charleeh
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    frogmorton wrote:
    Hi Charleeh

    Not me, but a very good friend has developed an allergy to her cat.

    My sons, when young, were allergic to cats. Not all cats though. They were fine with moth-eaten moggies but streaming with clean ones who groomed themselves regularly. I read somewhere that it can be the cat's saliva that's the problem rather than the fur. I doubt this helps anyone :roll: but just on the offchance....
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,896
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    ah bless you needed a proper moggie then :wink:

    Charleeh - let us know how you get on

    Love

    Toni xxx
  • alanthemanc
    alanthemanc Bots Posts: 512
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I have been on this for only a few weeks. One thing I have noticed is that I have come out in boils all over my shoulders and back. I do seem to itch as well, so your not on your own at all.
  • charleeh
    charleeh Member Posts: 173
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I'll let everyone know how I get on...

    Oddly enough Sticky - my one cat doesn't make me itch! - Its the two other ones and the labrador! haha.. (its my rather rough looking ill groomed tom cat that doesn't make me itch !) how funny lol :lol:

    Best wishes,
    Charleeh
  • Mormodook
    Mormodook Member Posts: 130
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I'm sure allergies and intolerances are linked to auto immune deficiencies. I've had a bad onion & garlic allergy all my life and when I started taking my meds for RA it subsided a bit. Onions / garlic are meant to be natural anti inflammatories ( an old wives tale maybe ) but I'm sure it's linked.
  • charleeh
    charleeh Member Posts: 173
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hmm.....

    interesting; I have now invested in some piriton!

    my poor little cat think's I have forgot him.

    Thanks for your reply.